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I'm stuck with a Mazda Tribute (AKA Ford Escape) V6 AWD because it's my wife's. My vehicle is a motorcycle. Anyway, I'm thinking of doing a very simple alternator mod. I'd like to try running the output wire through a high amp relay/solenoid. A simple on/off, with a small 12V battery or capacitor on the alternator side of the relay to avoid large voltage spikes when the relay opens. The relay will be controlled by the brake light switch. When the brakes lights are on during decel, the alternator charges. The the brakes are off during accel, the alternator is idle. The control switch would be a three position switch, easy to figure out by my less than mechanically inclined wife:
1. Highway: alternator functions as normal.
2. City: alternator functions as described above, controlled by the brake light switch.
3. Alternator off: the alternator does not charge at all.
Option 3 will be most beneficial with a deep cycle battery and a small charger under the hood for charging over night - sort of a very cheap man's PHEV.
This setup will be very easy to achieve in my Tribute, as there is an alternator output master fuse where I can make my splices/modifications.
In the wise words of Jeremy Clarkson: "How hard can it be?"
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