Quote:
Originally Posted by brucepick
Woo-hooo!!
Lithium pack is installed and functioning.
Alternator is disabled.
Current tank is averaging very close to 52 mpg. It's been at 52 before, but not lately.
Still need to install some fuses, and switches for more convenient operation. Those are due in this week.
|
Awesome, Bruce! For comparison, I'll report what I have noticed recently with my 6 month old version of this "externally powered electrical system" mod. Since going to the full use of the alt delete switch and DFCO for battery charging my battery's ability to hold its full, overnight, grid charge seems to be rapidly degrading. I used to be able to drive my commute 22 miles with the battery only beginning to dip to 12.0 volts, but now 12 miles seems to do it. With DFCO and short alt runs I can keep enough juice to operate. But the battery has been in place just 6 months, and it appears to be growing weaker under all the deep discharge cycles already. Sad.
And I am seeing an impact on trip MPG figures inverse to what I had seen before. Night driving can no longer go long at all without the alternator engaged to support the lighting. Running the alt all the time seems to reduce MPG at least 10%, maybe 15%, on those trips. It's the difference between mid-low 60s and mid-high 50s. Very noticeable.
I imagine a set of solar panels (my next big electrical item) will help by preventing such deep discharging on the battery. But perhaps I need a different battery arrangement, something more like yours.
james