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Old 06-14-2008, 10:50 PM   #40 (permalink)
Formula413
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: In the Northeast dreaming of the Southwest
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Aegean C - '17 Honda Civic LX
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesqf View Post
What wasted energy from the alternator? The alternator only converts the mechanical energy of the engine to electricity, and it only does so when electricity is needed. If you take energy from the alternator to run this hydrogen generator, that will put more load on your engine, and decrease your fuel economy.
But an alternator doesn't shut itself off when the battery is full, it keeps right on spinning. As opposed to say the air conditioner which has a clutch that engages when the A/C is turned on and disengages when the A/C is turned off. Unless there is some huge gap in my understanding of how an alternator works.
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