How much more lights can I add to my Toyota Tacoma without frying my battery and alternator?

Hi All,

Im thinking about adding a 40" (240watt) LED light bar on the roof of my 2011 Tacoma. I currently have 3 HELLA 500FF lights on my bumper (55 watts each) and 2 KC flood lights on the side of my truck (55 watts each)

This totals 515 watts of lighting (including the LED light bar). Will all this wattage put too much strain on my stock alternator or fry my battery?

Any advice would help, Thank you

Dave

 

Power ( watts ) divided by Voltage = Current in Amps

515 watts / 12 volts = 42.916 amperes

Just a guess, but you are pushing it... IMO

 

How long are you going to be running all those lights at the same time?

You could get your alternator reworked to put out more amps.

 

... and would you need a bigger battery too?

 

I'd add an extra battery for just the lights. Or carry a booster box.

 

You got me thinking.

I'll be back.

 

If I remember correctly, the alternator is 100a, so you just need to know what you have available after all the regular loads are accounted for. And leave a little cushion or don't run full sunshine all the time.

 

Thanks for all the advice. going to look into a bigger alternator that can put out more juice for my lights

 

The alternator is 140 amp, if you have the tow package.

 

You could switch to all LED without much power draw.

 

You a vampire hunter, what you need all the lights for, jk.

Yeah extra battery and like the led comment too.

 

Thanks for this Jimmy.

I'll use this math soonish.

 

Yes, Thanks, Jimmy.

... and I'm using it now. All LED's as follows:

32" - 180 w (lower grille stealth bar)
9" - 30 w (rear facing BackRack flood)
2/5" - 36 w (bumper flush mount flood pods)
50" - 480 w (OSRAM 4D radius roof)
___________

Total 726 w / 12 = 60.5 amps

These will all be hooked up to an RTMR 5 relay panel with an 80 amp Bussman breaker wired directly to the battery, and a 6 switch iggy cubby panel with Carlisle switches. (anytime on) I have a 140 amp alternator.

I'm thinking of upping my alternator to a 250 amp with a 31 series battery. Would this be necessary?

Oh! And what is a booster box?

 

Whats up with all the lights?

 

My 2015 SR5 PreRunner came with the Tow Package. Vehicle has 130A alternator. Maybe there's a 140A alternator for other models.

 

How many amps does/could the rest of the truck use at any given time?

Add up the amperage for the all the fuses that could possibly be drawing power at any given time (wipers, ECU, stereo, power windows, headlights, foglights, etc.) then subtract 15%. Add that to the total draw from your lighting and see if it adds up to less than 130.

 

They are for a 'Work Truck' that lives rural. Our nearest 4 lane road is over 20 miles away.

Sooooooooooooo.....

32" - 180 w (lower grille stealth bar)
- for when I'm negotiating our numerous unlit dark back roads

9" - 30 w (rear facing BackRack flood)
- for when I'm loading or working around the bed area

2/5" - 36 w (bumper flush mount flood pods)
- for when I'm way out in the back 50 parking area hooking up trailers

50" - 480 w (OSRAM 4D radius roof)
- for when I'm.... Oh fuck it! 'Cause it looks cool when I take the time to have fun!

I also like to do a lot of backwoods fishing and bird hunting. This involves using old logging and bush roads, where I go in, then come out in the dark.

My eyes are getting weak.

 

No, my friend....

.... just deer, moose, bear, Canadian hippos, and other assorted beasts that want to harm my precious.