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Old 03-26-2010, 10:28 PM   #16 (permalink)
JohnNeiferd
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Ohio
Posts: 28

Johnny's Metro - '93 Geo Metro 4-Door Hatchback
90 day: 47.5 mpg (US)

Jetta GLS TDI - '01 Volkswagon Jetta GLS
90 day: 45.83 mpg (US)
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Just an update and warning for everyone who wants to try this.

I believe Christ was correct. My voltmeter showed the alternator putting out around 23volts when it wasn't connected to the battery. So it was still charging. I hardly used my cut-out switch, maybe a combined total of 35 minutes and my alternator decided to die. Voltage regulator would only put out around 12.5 volts at idle (with it hooked to the battery) and around 11.6 volts with a lot of accessories on.

Luckily, I have a wrecked Metro for spare parts and took the alternator off of there. So I am back up to around 14.2 volts. I removed the cut-out switch. Running a vehicle without a alternator is possible for MPG gains. However a good deep cycle battery with a lot of reserve capacity should be used, a solar panel (even a small one) would help extend the life of the battery, and the battery should be charged whenever not driving the vehicle to keep it from getting to low. A smart battery charger that turns off automatically and has a desulfate mode would help as well.

If someone could adapt an A/C clutch to work on an alternator it could be used for a regenerative breaking system as well.

I may attempt all this eventually, right now I am working on aerodynamics for my Metro right now so this will be on the back burner for now.
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