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Old 10-22-2008, 10:27 PM   #742 (permalink)
MetroMPG
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,534

Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 54.46 mpg (US)

Appliance car Mirage - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 57.73 mpg (US)
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Well, it has a heatsink on its base. Or is that just its base?

And I hooked it up to switch on with the key.

When properly installed, I think I'll also add an additional switch, so I can optionally leave it off during day use (if I'm going to solar support/recharge the 12v, for example).

Anyway, it didn't get smoking hot, just warm. Mind you, it's 4C / 39F ambient here at the moment. And it was a short trip (as are all ForkenSwift trips) - around 5 km per leg.

It only "supports" the 12v battery when the headlights are on - doesn't keep the charge up. Headlights on, the voltage seemed to sit stable around 11.5v. (That's from a starting point of about 12.45v - a bit low.) Lights off, it will charge, however.

We have a second module I could add. 200w should be ample.

Pretty civilized to have night time driving as an option though, where I'm not wondering if I'm going to make it home before the lights go out!
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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
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