VA to USGP@Indy via 328 GTB: Can Electrical System take it? | FerrariChat
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VA to USGP@Indy via 328 GTB: Can Electrical System take it?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by Scuderia NoVA, Apr 6, 2006.

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  1. Scuderia NoVA

    Scuderia NoVA Formula Junior
    Owner

    Nov 25, 2004
    598
    Northern Virginia
    Full Name:
    Anthony
    #1 Scuderia NoVA, Apr 6, 2006
    I'm planning to drive my F-car from the Wash. DC area to the USGP@Indy this summer. I'm pretty confident that the car's mechanicals are up to snuff to tackle the run but have some concerns regarding the electrics.

    Would using a splitter/2-into-1 adapter on the cigarette lighter to power both a GPS Nav. box and a radar detector simultaneously cause any electrical problems?

    How about using a cigarette lighter power inverter to power a laptop or to power a charger for a digital camera?

    The run to Indy would begin late night/early morning. Would it be too taxing for an 18yr. old Ferrari's electrical/charging system to run for an extended period with headlights, A/C, Valentine 1, GPS, iPod/stereo all turned on?

    The car had a major service last July. Am I crazy to think that I can drive my F like it was my daily driver? Are there any special preparations I can make to have her ready for the big road trip? I'll be sure to have spare 15amp fuses (for the lighter) and a AAA membership for a tow (knock wood).

    Thanks in advance,

    AP
     
  2. Sean F.

    Sean F. F1 Rookie

    Feb 4, 2003
    3,067
    Kansas
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    Sean F
    #2 Sean F., Apr 6, 2006
    Add up the voltage/amp requirements for those systems and see if it is more than the fuse for the cigarette lighter.
     
  3. Gatorrari

    Gatorrari F1 World Champ
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    Feb 27, 2004
    16,505
    Georgia
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    Jim Pernikoff
    #3 Gatorrari, Apr 6, 2006
    I drove my 328 from Atlanta to West Palm Beach in December and had only one problem: a rear wheel bearing began to fail and needed to be replaced before the return trip. But that would not keep me from considering making a trip of similar length again.
     
  4. Verell

    Verell F1 Veteran
    Consultant Owner

    May 5, 2001
    7,022
    Groton, MA
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    Verell Boaen
    #4 Verell, Apr 6, 2006
    The 328 has a 90A alternator, s/b more than adequate for anything you are going to do as long as you haven't put in high wattage headlight bulbs.

    You shouldn't continuously run more than about 7A thru the cigarette lighter. I think that if you tried to run everything at once you might be in that ballpark.

    The laptop will be the highest power consumer. Most laptops with outboard 120V-DC power converters or car adapters draw something like 2.5 to 3A @12V, maybe 0.5A more because you're going thru the inverter.

    Another alternative to the cigarette lighter would be to get a lighter socket with 12" of wire attached from Radio Shack & hard wire it up to the hot side of the fuse block with an in-line fuse. Then you can split the load between it & the regular lighter socket. s/b fine then.
     
  5. Scuderia NoVA

    Scuderia NoVA Formula Junior
    Owner

    Nov 25, 2004
    598
    Northern Virginia
    Full Name:
    Anthony
    #5 Scuderia NoVA, Apr 6, 2006
    Thanks for the reply, Sean. and thanks for clarifying, Verrell.

    Did some research:
    Valentine1: runs 225mA/standby 425mA/max. alarm condition.
    Garmin: website doesn't list Amp ratings for GPS models, only that cig. adapter has 2Amp fuse.

    Laptop= 12v DC but no Amp rating listed. Laptop won't be running, but might use adapter to charge it, if needed.

    Will running only the GPS and the V1 along w/ A/C, headlights, iPod/stereo for hours at a time cause any problems?
     
  6. Verell

    Verell F1 Veteran
    Consultant Owner

    May 5, 2001
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    Groton, MA
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    Verell Boaen
    #6 Verell, Apr 6, 2006
    Should be fine. The GPS is probably drawing 500-750mA , max of 1A if they're recommending at least a 2A fuse.

    You could probably even run the laptop & be safe with a 15A fuse.
     
  7. Scuderia NoVA

    Scuderia NoVA Formula Junior
    Owner

    Nov 25, 2004
    598
    Northern Virginia
    Full Name:
    Anthony
    #7 Scuderia NoVA, Apr 6, 2006
    Great!

    Thanks, Verrell!
     

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