Quote:
Originally Posted by JackMcCornack
I'd like to put an alternator cut-out switch on my 32 horse Kubota diesel that will disengage the alternator (electrically--it has a one wire alternator) at full throttle. Will this improve fuel economy?
|
It depends (TM).
If you are interrupting alternator load only temporarily, then the energy taken from the battery will have to be replaced by the alternator when you switch it back on, negating any temporary savings (owing to conversion losses).
I don't think the alternator delete/off mod works unless you are primarily running from the battery, and then using some other power source to recharge it.
You could conceivably control the alternator intelligently to take advantage of the best times to recharge the battery, ie. during throttle-off fuel cut or actual friction braking. Those opportunities are more common in sub/urban driving than on the open road (limiting usefulness for my typical driving).