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Old 04-16-2014, 03:54 PM   #19 (permalink)
serialk11r
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: United States
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spyder2 - '00 Toyota MR2 Spyder
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oil pan 4 View Post
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.
I looked up LED replacements, and my god are they expensive...I'd do it for a new car but not a creaky old car, but new cars are already coming with mostly LEDs. The first area I'd go for is actually the alternator, pick up a square conductor Densor alternator (~10% higher efficiency), put in an active rectifier (another 10+% efficiency), and you'd have lower drag on the engine as well as more amps available. While you're at it you can add a motor controller, tap the windings, add a battery pack, and get a mild hybrid drive.
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