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Old 03-11-2012, 12:33 PM   #26 (permalink)
California98Civic
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Coastal Southern California
Posts: 6,299

Black and Green - '98 Honda Civic DX Coupe
Team Honda
90 day: 66.42 mpg (US)

Black and Red - '00 Nashbar Custom built eBike
90 day: 3671.43 mpg (US)
Thanks: 2,373
Thanked 2,174 Times in 1,470 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Previa View Post
Green Energies LLC, 15 amp., 12/24volt.
This one? Solar Charge Controller 12 Volts 15 Amps [SCC1215] - $12.95 : Green Energies E-store, Solar Products. That's a nice little inexpensive unit.

Quote:
Originally Posted by toc View Post
What kind of MPG improvement can be associated with the alternator kill switch (considering you still need to charge the battery)..?
Depends on your vehicle. MetroMPG saw something like 10% by unbelting the alternator on his Metro. I have seen less of a benefit, 3-5%, because my Civic has a "smart alternator" that modulates load according to needs anyway, so there is less to gain.

Quote:
Originally Posted by toc View Post
The voltage regulator should be stopping charging and thus no alternator load once the battery is charged, or have I got that wrong?
Yes, you have that right, if your car's system is "smart" in the way I described above. My understanding of older charging systems is that they run alternators constantly.
__________________
See my car's mod & maintenance thread and my electric bicycle's thread for ongoing projects. I will rebuild Black and Green over decades as parts die, until it becomes a different car of roughly the same shape and color. My minimum fuel economy goal is 55 mpg while averaging posted speed limits. I generally top 60 mpg. See also my Honda manual transmission specs thread.



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