Alternator modifications

[jakobnev]

An alternative (no pun intended) is to carry a battery with slightly higher nominal voltage than the car:



I'm getting a 5A boost at the beginning of a trip and then it goes down towards 2A in an hour.

[RH77]

Originally Posted by Arragonis

The "Blue" (named after the VW/Merc "Blue" eco technology - well they don't want to give the Green Party any credit do they ?) failed for me because it's too expensive for what it is.

At least you have more than 2 distinctly different parties :/

___

I really want to try this mod on Teggy -- I have a switch for the transmission/TC, why not for the alternator as well?

My biggest concern is the extended time the vehicle remains parked up to a week or 2 outdoors -- is there a minimum recommended voltage on a stock batt? I'm sure after time, it can really wear on an average battery -- any thoughts there???

-RH77

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by RH77

At least you have more than 2 distinctly different parties

We have at least 4 large ones in Scotland - be careful what you wish for, the choice and variety is no better...

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by sixpackdan

What about one of those "flexable" solar panels on the roof to keep the battery charged?

I have been "planning" on this idea for a while. My 98 Civic has a roof large enough for a 120w panel that would generate 18v at peak (I'm still learning). I want to install an alternator kill switch and LED lights as well. I think I could run the car possibly all day with the alternator off, and then turn it on as the sun weakens. One thing would be great... my extended EOC usage would not kill my battery because the panel would still be recharging even though the engine was off.

@rgathright: those batteries are heavier than stock, no? I was hoping for a lighter deep cycle battery to contribute to my weight-reduction program too.

[catbusmike]

rgathright,
What percentage increase in mileage do you get with the alternator off?
Do you re-engage the alternator when braking or coasting down a hill?
Did you replace your starter battery with a deep cycle battery which is built to not expect immediate recharge?
If you replaced you battery, how has it effected your cold weather starting?

CatbusMike

[gone-ot]

...connecting the brakelights to electronically "re-engage" the alternator field would cause charging only when decelerating.

...simply replace the "hot" (+12VDC) line going to the regulator device/module with a wire connected to the brakelights = field engergized only during breaking.

[brianjone5]

My idea for an alternator modification is to replace the shaft pulley with an Air Con-type clutch/pulley. With a circuit sensing batter voltage, while the voltage is adequate, the clutch would allow the pulley on the alternator to spin freely. When the voltage reaches a pre-determined low, the clutch would kick in, turn the alternator and recharge the battery. You'd only spin the alternator when you needed to on long trips, and could top the battery at home via a trickle charger between trips.

[brianjone5]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

...connecting the brakelights to electronically "re-engage" the alternator field would cause charging only when decelerating.

...simply replace the "hot" (+12VDC) line going to the regulator device/module with a wire connected to the brakelights = field engergized only during breaking.

This could work on stop-start urban trips, but would be problematic on long journeys with little stopping.

[ConnClark]

another paper

Automotive Power Generation and Control

[JethroBodine]

The alternator on my car will continue to charge, once the field is energized, until the engine stops and power is removed from the field. As I don't know if this is damageing in some way, I leave the switch on until my next EO(ff)C. I monitor my battery voltage and tend to leave the alternator on when in stop and go traffic. If on a longish trip, I engage the alternator when my battery voltage gets to 12.0vdc at rest( seems to stay around 12.2 for quite a while). I do charge my battery at night, except when thunder showers are going on). I also turn the alternator on (and injectors off) when engine braking.