[paulgato]

Quick update. Workload has prevented me from doing much. I've replaced the last few light bulbs with LED's, but not much else... (I had trouble with the combined stop/tail bulbs and had to modify them to get them to work.)

...but I have finally at least purchased all the kit I need for this alternator delete mod. A 2KW Kenlowe engine coolant pre-heater kit and a CTEK 10A temperature compensated battery charger. Now i just have to find the time - and a gap in the weather! - to install it all. I might crack and get my mechanic to do it for me, ...at least to install the heater and pump into the coolant system. That part will probably have to be done from below, and I'm not keen on crawling around under cars outdoors in this cold wet weather.

I also bought a PWM motor speed controller to fit to the blower motor, but it looks like that's not as straightforward as I thought it would be. It turns out the first controller I bought (from China) does not use a common negative for input and output (it uses a common positive) so I can't just ground the negatives of the input and the output. It can still be done, but it will need a bit more thought. I have bought another one which might be easier to install. Anyway, I think I'll put that one on hold and concentrate on the alternator delete and pre-heater for now...

But yeah, looking forward to having a slightly hybridised car in a little while! And one that starts each morning at 80 degrees Celcius!