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Old 03-13-2008, 12:21 PM   #1 (permalink)
AXMonster
British Ecomod Hypermiler
 
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: South Coast, England
Posts: 101

The AXe - SOLD - '97 Citroen Citroen AX 1.1i 5 Door
90 day: 46.78 mpg (US)

Foci - '03 Ford Ford Focus Tdci Ghia Estate
90 day: 64.37 mpg (US)
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Automatic alternator cut out/regen braking

If the alternator produces parasitic drag when the field windings are powered up, but its not really needed to charge the battery, how about this for an idea?

A smart controller that cuts the power to the alternator's field windings in normal cruise or accel conditions, thus removing the electrical load on the engine caused by the alternator.
When decelerating (0% pedal and no fuel injected so 0% duty cycle) the alternator is switched back on and charges the battery at a high current, thus providing more braking effect.

If the battery voltage gets too low the controller can switch the alternator back in until its within a reasonable range again.

Any thoughts?

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1997 Citroen AX 1.1i SPI
2003 Ford Focus 1.8 Tdci estate
Ecomods: See my garage



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