Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesqf
Yes, there is a huge gap in your understanding :-) The principle is similar to the A/C clutch you mention. The A/C unit is a compressor: when it turns the engine does work compressing the refrigerant gas. Therefore you have a clutch to disconnect it when you don't want A/C.
Now with the alternator the same principle applies, except that the "clutch" is actually an electronic voltage regulator. (If you've worked on old cars, you've probably seen electromechanical regulators.) It controls the amount of energy the alternator takes from the engine & converts into electricity. If there's no electrical load, it only takes enough to overcome friction - if you were cranking it by hand, the alternator would spin freely. When there's a electrical demand, the regulator sends current through the alternator windings, causing it to create more electricity, which makes it hard to turn.
Bottom line: the more electricity you use, the harder the alternator is to turn. The engine has to supply more energy to turn it, and burns more gas to do so. THERE'S NO FREE LUNCH!
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You still have not figured it out...
your not using the hydrogen for it's energy.
you are using it to enhance the combustion of gasoline. That is were you get better mileage.
It's not free lunch, it's eating more that's on your plate.
Putting it in simpler terms.
Suppose you have soup of lunch. (food = fuel)
your eating it with a fork. (regular fuel / air combustion) you can't eat all of it. (granted you don't sip straight from the bowl)
If given a spoon (hydrogen) you can eat more of the soup. (better combustion of fuel)
Get it?