Civic EPES: Alternator Delete Project (with additional lithium battery...)

[Mr. Previa]

I am working on a similar mod. I added a relay and dash switch that controls the alternator field circuit. This way I am able to still use it when I need to. I have a few more parts to add. (FYI, I was very surprised on how much smoother the engine will run when the alternator is not engaged!) I will be posting a write up and pictures when done. It seems like a very popular subject and I hope I can help.

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by brucepick

Anyway, for my own driving I'm not so concerned about brake lights because I don't spend that much time braking. But my corner lights are on whenever I run the headlights of course, so they are a constant draw, even though they're not 21W bulbs like the brakes..

Just go without corner lights.

[miro]

While I have not used the 18650 cells for head light operation, I have used it for other lighting challenges.
About 18 months ago I was given a laptop power pack ($0.00) so I opened it up to see what was there. I found 2 cells were no good, but the remaining 7 cells were OK.
I have since used them for re-powering a DeWalt battery drill replacing the NiCads ( takes some mechanical skill to retrofit them).
I use an ATX computer power supply to charge them - usually at about 0.3 to 0.5 C using nichrome element as a resistor to limit the current.

The really, really neat part of this is that a lot of these laptop battery packs can be found lying around local one-man neighborhood computer stores. I get them for between $0.00 and $5.00 per pack with 9 cells inside.
Since starting all of this I've re-powered many more drills, lights, and other high current applications and I've had no failures yet.

I don't see why they wouldn't work as a power source for the head lights.

In any event, you'd be re-cycling the laptop power packs in a much more meaningful way.

[fastegg]

What does EOC mean ?

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by fastegg

What does EOC mean ?

Engine Off Coasting... it's in the list above... 100 tips... number 55.

[fastegg]

Putting a couple of big lithium's in the boot as their really good for full cycling, say 2000-3000 cycles... take out the alternator, install an electric water pump....(Davis Craig make a good one) an electric power steering pump (there's quite a few OEM one's... Toyota MR2 is top's) so now, if you can go without air con, there is no fan belt... there's electric everything, water pump, power steering pump, cooling fan... there all running off the batteries in the boot…
Which get charged up every night… so if the guy who took the alterator out is getting 10% better FE just by taking out the alternator, taking out everything might get 20-25% ?... maybe...
Plus an extra 15% more power…. And for people driving 1000 km per week that’s huge…. And then if you factor in my digital fuel adjuster to lean out in closed loop mode … so long as your not concerned about the increase in noxious exhaust, there’s another 5+%... so here’s 30% better FE.. and probably 15% more power, quieter, smoother … WOO-HOO
So you call it a semi-electric…and to offset things not working properly when volts drop below 12 volts, use 14 volt batteries, you can get 14 volt chargers… I reckon it’s a great concept…
ps: At some stage, I'd like to install full time water injection, one with super high pressure to get 'cold fog'.... so I can run really lean air/fuel ratio... and if I could go the full monty, by putting in a set of hi-compression pistons.. 12-13 maybe 14:1, get maybe 5% better FE.... so 30% better FE does seem achievable...

[Mr. Previa]

Has anyone considered using 14 volt racing batteries? They are around $250.00. A bit steep but, may be cheaper in the long run. They are deep cycles too.

[Daox]

I assume you'd also need a 14V charger for that 14V battery?

[GeneralAnarchy]

Originally Posted by Mr. Previa

I am working on a similar mod. I added a relay and dash switch that controls the alternator field circuit. This way I am able to still use it when I need to. I have a few more parts to add. (FYI, I was very surprised on how much smoother the engine will run when the alternator is not engaged!) I will be posting a write up and pictures when done. It seems like a very popular subject and I hope I can help.

Maybe use a mercury switch and set the angle just right. That way when you go down a hill, or need to decelerate, you are converting kinetic energy to electric.

I think on a non-hybrid car, when you're slowing down for a stop sign, or descending a hill, and you have speed you want to lose anyway, the alternator is basically a source of free energy, is it not?

[fastegg]

Originally Posted by Daox

I assume you'd also need a 14V charger for that 14V battery?

Yes you would.... and there are quite a few 14 volt chargers on the market.... there's something for everyone !