Do Alternators Change in Engine Load?

[MazdaMatt]

okay, two things... "worldwide" means you're dealing with VERY different demographics than north america (think india). And... how could drl's possibly increase the risk to pedestrians? I can't imagine any possible benefit of a dark car over a lit one when it comes to visibility. Methinks that study is flawed.

Also, I'm really just in on this thread for the casual conversation factor. I'm not going to turn off my DRLs to save gas, and the time spent researching is worth the 15 bucks to say "meh".

[dcb]

Tell me, what is the difference between someone who won't do their own research and a lemming?

Your whole point here has been that DRLs save lives and is worth the expense, the DATA indicates the exact opposite thus far. Sorry, but your opinion isn't worth squat compared to real work.

[MazdaMatt]

Haha... you're taking me entirely too seriously in this thread. I"ve done no research, that's why i'm using words like "likely", and asking questions instead of making statements. I have not tried to present hard facts here, just conversation.

I also question the validity/relevence of the data presented. Statistics on world-wide incident rates are moot when considering that the distribution of incidents is "likely" not the same worldwide as it is in north america.

[MazdaMatt]

Oh yeah, and most universities will fail your paper if you use Wikipedia (a public-access encyclopedia with no credibility) as a source of information.

[dann_04]

I think you guys were too flustered to see my post...so here it is again, just wondering if anyone knows, Thanks and keep it civil

Originally Posted by dann_04

I think we have strayed a bit from the topic...but quick question aside from the value of a life, on older cars they used generators which always make voltage no matter what speed they are spinning, unlike the alternatoer which has a cut in speed. So would a generator vary the load on an engine depending on the watts used? and if not is that a viable option to swap out a generator for an alternator? Seems like a better choice than some of the people who are dropping the alternator all together. I dunno, discuss.

And as for the save a life question...kind of an obnoxiously worded question, but i for one don't typically see the point of running lights, but i talked to my gf and she says she has pulled out infront of a few vehicles without seeing them(she claims because their lights are off) so i guess in some cases it could prevent an accident, especially with all the sliver and grey cars that blend in with the road here. On my scooter the light is on all the time and i can say i wouldn't want to turn it off if i could because alot of people don't see me already so that would be even worse.

[dcb]

Originally Posted by MazdaMatt

Oh yeah.

PLONK

[MazdaMatt]

Haha.... oookay. Entirely too serious.

[dcb]

That squelch is nice, now we can converse intelligently. So is anyone willing to debunk with data (and not opinion) the implication that DRLS are worse for pedestrians? Or are we ready to call the whole "DRLs are safer" thing a sham and admit we in the US have been wasting 500 million gallons a year on them? (ob: Alternator load)

[Blue07CivicEX]

Just for the sake of arguement

But I am disapointed they do not have references to support the claim that 28% of pedestrian fatalities could be avoided in the US with DRL's. In about 20 mins of searching this was the closest I found to anybody making a stand about pedestrian accidents, I think it's a bunch of hooey

[MazdaMatt]

interesting document. Obviously some people don't try hard enough to find information contrary to their own opinions. That link, as well as the one provided by dcb himself (I guess he was hoping i wouldn't read it) clearly shows that there is a significant reduction in accidents. I will continue to spend 15 dollars per year running my lights as legally mandated as well as to reduce my chances of killing someone by ~10%.