Could someone please educate me on how much power the alternator on a TDV8 RRS can generate? How do I know if I am putting too much load on the alternator?

I have a dual battery fitted to the RRS - so it's charging two batteries in the car.
I have an Engel 40L compressor fridge in the boot - so it's running that.
I have a UFH radio installed - so it's running that.
I tow an camper trailer that has dual 105Ah deep cycle batteries being charged via an Anderson plug (the camper has a CTEK XS15000 charger) - so it's charging that.
Sometimes my daughter likes to watch a DVD in the back - so it's running that.
At various times we'll be charging phones, iPods etc etc.

How much can the alternator handle?  2008 TDV8, Stornoway Grey with Alpaca premium leather, Adaptive cruise, Adaptive Bi-xenons, sunroof, Premium Nav, Premium ICE Logic 7, telephone, active locking rear diff, console coolbox, seat memory, powerfold mirrors, tow pack, window tint, dual battery, engel fridge, Goodyear Mud-Terrain tyres.

Whilst the alternator creates the power from your engine...its your battery that is meeting the demand and extra demand.

The only alternator spec i can find for the sport is that its an 150amp alternator...but this could be incorrect for the TDV8 or later sports. Mike

2014 Facelift Discovery

Morning

Not sure what the output is on the TDV8 but the alternators must run pretty close to their max because they are a well known weak spot on the V8 engine (stranded over xmas and new year with mine and forecourt full of RRS and FFRRs in the same boat)

all the bast Kiel

640Newton, the alternator will be fine for all that you have.

it's a 90/150amp alternator that will vary it's power output as required.

I run an aux battery as well as a 115Ah battery in the trailer

your Engel is only 2-4.5 amps (depending on model) The radio is only hi power when transmitting, so most of the time will be low power
DVD in the back (is it aftermarket) is likely to be less than 10amps

It will handle much more than you are using

As for them being a well known weak spot, I think you'll find that it's only (generally) when it's constantly in use and when the weather is very cold (Heated screens, heated seats all lights etc on which is likely to draw far more power than the extra items you have listed)
The bigger issue is that every year, LR have shortages of the part and that leads to the greater frustration.

In reality most of the alternators can be fixed for about £30-£60 worth of diodes.  Bodsys Brake Bible
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RRS Timed Heat/Remote kits - Contact me
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Bodsy wrote:

In reality most of the alternators can be fixed for about £30-£60 worth of diodes.

Thanks for all the advice guys, it is certainly reassuring that it can handle all of its normal electronics, a few additions and 3 auxiliary batteries. When we have the camper trailer hooked up and everything running for holiday trips we're generally driving for 4+ hours each day, so hopefully that helps keep everything in tip-top shape. 2008 TDV8, Stornoway Grey with Alpaca premium leather, Adaptive cruise, Adaptive Bi-xenons, sunroof, Premium Nav, Premium ICE Logic 7, telephone, active locking rear diff, console coolbox, seat memory, powerfold mirrors, tow pack, window tint, dual battery, engel fridge, Goodyear Mud-Terrain tyres.

Hi

I appreciate the cheap diode fix,but you also have to take into account the fried battery and if the car cuts out while your driving along(two and a half tonnes of car((wife driving,son in passenger seat)) no power steering and no brakes) it becomes more than a frustration.

The Sport showed no warning lights at all when this happened!

Yeah lights on heated seats on heated screen on and in the winter but Ive owned over thirty cars and never had to replace an alternator.

However were are still running the car because they are GREAT!!!!

all the best Kiel

I think on the whole the charging system is up to it.

i agree they are great cars.

BTW Sport battery £40, Mike

2014 Facelift Discovery