Alternative for alternator.

[stevey_frac]

Just got an email back. A 10 watt module would cost $36. If you buy 1000. For 10 at a time it would be $70 ea. Ouch. I think solar remains cheaper? :P

[nemesis]

I've thought about this alternator issue for a while, did couple of tests at idle and with alternator shut off ( not charging), my load at idle went from 17% to 16%, not much, but it's something. The thing that I would do is I would not recomend taking the alternator off completely, but put a switch on the regulator so it would turn the alternator on when it gets bellow set voltage and whenever the brake pedal is on ( hook it up to stop light switch), another thing is why can't we take out the 12.5v battery and install 14v battery? you would keep 14v with alternator off.

[JacobAziza]

Originally Posted by nemesis

my load at idle went from 17% to 16%, not much, but it's something.

The alternator doesn't put out much current at idle RPMs.
Try the same test at normal driving RPMs.