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Old 04-16-2014, 01:16 PM   #17 (permalink)
oil pan 4
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NewMexico (USA)
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Sub - '84 Chevy Diesel Suburban C10
SUV
90 day: 19.5 mpg (US)

camaro - '85 Chevy Camaro Z28

Riot - '03 Kia Rio POS
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90 day: 30.21 mpg (US)

Bug - '01 VW Beetle GLSturbo
90 day: 26.43 mpg (US)

Sub2500 - '86 GMC Suburban C2500
90 day: 11.95 mpg (US)

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Quote:
Originally Posted by JRMichler View Post
When I am chugging along at 25 MPH in 5th gear with the headlights on, the voltage drops from 14.X to 13.X. Since this is a significant portion of my driving, I cannot use an underdrive pulley.
Have you tried switching over as many lights as possible to LEDs?
Switching to LEDs saves me 4 amps with the running lights on and 12 amps with running lights on and brake lights on. Also saves 4 amps with the turn signal.

Switching to LEDs saved me from having to switch to a larger alternator.
My problem was my battery would drain when driving the suburban during hot summer nights when I had head lights on, radiator cooling fans running and sitting at a stop.
It was bad enough to where I would turn the head lights off while stopped.
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1984 chevy suburban, custom made 6.5L diesel turbocharged with a Garrett T76 and Holset HE351VE, 22:1 compression 13psi of intercooled boost.
1989 firebird mostly stock. Aside from the 6-speed manual trans, corvette gen 5 front brakes, 1LE drive shaft, 4th Gen disc brake fbody rear end.
2011 leaf SL, white, portable 240v CHAdeMO, trailer hitch, new batt as of 2014.
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