Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 M3W Alternator Output

My threewheeler should be ready any day now just in time for summer to be over...anyone know what the alternator is rated at? More specifically, how many "spare" amps are there for running heated clothing?
Thanks
Calum

No idea, but couldn't you conserve energy and bring the pipes in-cabin and exit orifices just by your ear, gotta be warm

I guess your supplying agent and or factory will field this one.

Enjoy your new car.

Summer almost over???
We're still waiting for ours to start
So, I guess that'll be 2013 then???

Well, we've only had a few days of sleet, snow and frost so that usually means that summer is drawing to a close...and I fully intend to enjoy the car including a trip to Holland at Christmas.
Inappropriate journeys are very important.

It occurred to me a while ago, that there would be several ways to pipe hot air into the cockpit for use in cold weather. The obvious one is to direct some large bore air trunking into the footwell, picking up hot air directly behind one or both of the cylinders. Another more sophisticated way is to install and oil cooler matrix in the footwell with a fan behind it and re-plumb the oil pipes through it, although, having taken my car out the other day when the air temp. was around 4c. the oil actually didn't get very hot [I've fitted an oil temperature gauge]. There are also electric heaters with built in fans which can be obtained, though, frankly I think the heat output of these would get lost in an open car. Your idea of heated clothing is still probably the simplest, if the output is enough, and I suspect it will be.

Do let us know if this idea works and if your alternator keeps up.

Most of the heated gear you can buy is designed to work on motorbikes or small disposable batteries so I wouldn't see this creating any problems for the 3 wheeler.

I've got some stuff from here on my xmas list Heated gear.

I went out a few weekends ago and was told the temp was down to -2.5. Even with outer gloves and lining gloves my hands were cold, but the bigger issue for me was my feet. At this temperature all you really need is some trace heat which shouldn't drawn to much from the battery.

Didn't know this stuff existed, thanks for the link!

I've been looking for a flying jacket but something from here might fit the bill instead.

Where is the power outlet on the three wheeler (I assume it's a standard item and not an option - only get my car in a Jan)?

How do you avoid getting tangled up in wires, especially for the heated insoles?

I've got a set of hybrid gloves that can run off batteries in pockets in their cuffs or direct off the 12V supply - used them for the first time at the weekend while out taking photos at night at about -2 and windy and was impressed so am looking at socks or insoles to match and am very tempted by a jacket liner too plus the wiring harness for fitting permanent sockets for the power and controllers on the dash. The gloves and socks or insoles don't use many amps at all so really aren't an issue but the jacket can pull about 7 amps at maximum so the total can creep up, hence asking about any figures for the output. I have emailed Morgan and S&S but no reply so far...
I have a bit of a feeling that the alternator is probably similar to those designed for a bike with carbs and points ignition a long time ago, not one with fuel injection and associated pumps and electronics which likely want to draw a fair old amount to keep them going.
The gloves I've got are by Gerbing's and am looking towards more of their kit. I've got no connection to this lot but after the link you can see some of the Gerbing's gear.
http://www.poweredadventure.co.uk/gerbings-heated-clothing.asp

The M3W alternator is not a bike alternator. It has been designed for the M3W application so I suspect that it has been designed for higher output.

On a bike the secret to keeping warm is keeping the body core heated and you really cannot beat a heated waistcoat. I've used an EXO2 heated Gilet for a few years and its been great. Draws less than 1amp continuous I believe so certainly no drain on the alternator. Well...my 1200GS certainly doesn't struggle. It also runs off its own battery pack if needs be.

I asked the very same question at the factory a few weeks back, as I am interested in running some heated clothing. Two typical jackets will consume 160 watts in total. There was no one available who could answer the question, but I was told by the time my car is built early in 2013 that they will probably be offering a high output alternator and heated seat squabs, intimating that the existing alternator does not have sufficient output.