View Single Post
Old 10-17-2013, 05:26 PM   #6 (permalink)
Diesel_Dave
Master EcoModder
 
Diesel_Dave's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Indiana
Posts: 1,194

White Whale - '07 Dodge Ram 2500 ST Quad Cab 2wd, short bed
Team Cummins
90 day: 37.68 mpg (US)
Thanks: 112
Thanked 511 Times in 213 Posts
Yeah, sounds like you're getting low on battery voltage. When you really do intensive EOC P&G the issue becomes that the alternator only runs when the engine's on and the battery draw during the glide is greater than the battery charge during the pulse. This is particularly true this time of year (for those of us in the northern hemisphere). The days get shorter, so you need to drive more in the dark. That means more current draw for the lights. Colder temps also mean more current draw whenever you need to use the starter to crank the engine over.

I ran into this issue just a little last winter, and it's starting to happen again to me. Currently I average % for the engine running is about 15%. For me, it'll happen when I do a cranking start--the engine may crank a little slow, then when it starts up the ECM resets: trip meter, hr meter, FE meter, etc. all just reset. Occassionally, I've also seen the odometer lose a couple miles.

I believe Pale has also run into this issue (at least with his last car).

Here are some optons:
1) Do whatever you can to avoid cranking starts (starter use). This can be done by managing lights better , scubbing speed off and then bump starting, etc.
2) Do whatever you can to reduce current draw. Leave the radio off, HVAC blower off, etc.
3) Start using a trickle charger at least occassionally to restore the charge back up.
__________________
Diesel Dave

My version of energy storage is called "momentum".
My version of regenerative braking is called "bump starting".

1 Year Avg (Every Mile Traveled) = 47.8 mpg

BEST TANK: 2,009.6 mi on 35 gal (57.42 mpg): http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...5-a-26259.html


  Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Diesel_Dave For This Useful Post:
darcane (10-17-2013), Flakbadger (10-17-2013)