[orange4boy]

Recycle your alternator!

I'm currently running alternator-less the simple way. Belt off, plug out, deep cycle battery, charge at home. I have 4 series 27 deep cycle batts for my auranthetics. I can fit two (if needed) in the front of my Toyota Previa for a total of 5.8 hours at 25 amps or 90 min at 75 amps. Just one battery (175 min at 25A.) gives me enough juice for 200 kms without daylights on and low elec. load.

Since I've been doing this for a while and It works, I'm happy without an alternator switch for the reduced complexity, belt friction and weight.


My first tank got me 17% better FE (mostly city)

My only issue is whether the lower voltage (12 vs 14.5) causes a cooler ignition spark and thus reduced FE improvement. Anyone know? To solve that the best set up would be two 8 volt golf cart batts.

Following info may be useful

Accessories approximately current draw:
- Air conditioner 12-20Amp
- Brake lamps 3-6 Amp
- Cigarette lighter 10-12 Amp
- CDI ignition 6-36 Amp
- Dome lamp 1 Amp
- Electrical fans 6-25 Amp
- Electrical clock 1 Amp
- Electric fuel pump 7-15 Amp
- Electric water pump 3-12 Amp
- ECU/EFI 10 Amp
- Headlights two low beam 8-9 Amp
- Headlights two high beam 13-15 Amp
- Horn power circuit 8 Amp
- Heat defroster 6-10 Amp
- HEI ignition 6-10 Amp
- Ignition coil 5 Amp
- Instrument panel 2-4 Amp
- Nitrous solenoid 5-15 Amp
- Power seats / Power windows 25-50 Amp
- Stereo HIFI normal 10 Amp
- Starter motor, normal cranking 125-250 Amp (fully loaded battery)
- Starter motor, initial engine turn over 500-800 Amp
- Throttle stop 5-15 Amp
- Trans brake 12-20 Amp
- Turn signals 5 Amp