Alternator modifications
 

I found a paper on improving alternator efficiency. With out a whole lot of work one could bump there car alternator efficiency by 4%.

http://itee.uq.edu.au/~aupec/aupec04.../PaperID82.pdf

I'm also wondering about replacing the diodes in the alternator with ones that have a lower voltage drop.

Downloaded for reading. Looks interesting.

Save time; Disconnect Alternator And Run On Battery
 

Some of you may remember me, I have always been a supporter of the idea of just disconnecting your alternator to increase MPG.

I did this on:
2004 4.7L Dodge Dakota
2004 Jeep TJ
2009 Honda Accord

I had no problems and was able to drive 75 miles before reaching 12.1 volts on the stock battery.

Today, I have a Group 24 Gel Cel in the trunk of my Honda and a quick alternator disconnect that can be used to turn off the alternator and go for about 50 miles in the summer heat without any worries.:thumbup:

...or you could slow down by 1 MPH and probably get just as much benefit!

Hyundai i10 "Blue" model in the UK has an "Alternator Management System" which seems to monitor when the engine is under load (e.g. climbing hills, accelerating hard) and reduces the demand from the Alternator from the engine. It also increases it when it can such as in gear downhill coasting etc.

Linky

Here is a pic from the brochure

http://ecomodder.com/forum/member-ar...alternator.jpg

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.

The engine being under higher load can demand more from the electrical system -- but I could be thinking in terms of points and condensor ignition. Changes in voltage can result in a weaker spark, which is the last thing you'd want.

Another mod that could be worthwhile (for those of us who love our forced-air HVAC) would be to replace the blower motor with something more efficient, or to lighten the fan blade assembly to reduce the torque needed to turn it. Maybe even to add an ultra-low speed to the blower motor so the A/C can be run with minimum blower electrical load. Most A/C will not engage the compressor if the fan isn't running, so to have a fractional amperage fan setting, or even an override if you're in the "Fresh" mode so that the A/C will run with the fan off, can save some electrical demand.

Tie the fan speed automatically dropping under high engine load with the alternator cutting out under the same conditions, so that you're not burdening the battery so much up those hills, and downhill, the battery recharges just that much faster.

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

Another interesting paper showing typical losses for each part of the alternator as well as potential savings of improving alternator efficiency.

http://www.delcoremy.com/Documents/H...ite-Paper.aspx

In it they say that the two leading losses of efficiency of an alternator are the Ohmic loss of the wire and the diode voltage drop.

On the Honda do you really gain much as Honda uses a 2 stage load alternator , ELD (runs at low outputs with low loads to increase mpg ) ?