AutoSpeed - DC to DC converter solution for alt-less modders
 

Autospeed may have come up with a solution for our DC to DC converter problems. They used a laptop voltage converter rated at 80W (and tell how to increase that) to power a few simple things. Enough for the ignition and fuel pump? Perhaps, but at the price, you could probably just use two.

AutoSpeed - Voltage Booster


Here is an example I found on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/UNIVERSAL-DC-CAR...d=p3286.c0.m14

I feel like they wrote that just for us :p

Funny thing is I read that earlier this week but never thought about the use it could have to ppl going altless. Thx for sharing.

dc-dc converter 276 watts.
 

Finally.

I have tried to find one of these for ages. I knew they existed but i couldn't find any with enough capacity for the ignition and fuel pump.

DC/DC Converter, retail, wholesale, off-the-shelf and custom, 5 watts to 800 watts

$150 is a little steep but at least we know they exist.

I swear there are also dc-dc converters/chargers too so you only need one piece of equipment but I have not found them again.

It actually isn't very difficult to build one. I asked a friend about it and she has an idea of how it can be designed. No schematic but the idea is in the following link: diyAudio Forums - 11.5-12.8v to 13.8-14.4v boost - Page 1

MPaulHolmes - ready to start a new electronics project? LOL

I wonder how much the one from Daox's article can handle once you mod it? 10A?
I'd be interested in learning how to build one; I'm already having a friend who's good with electronics help me make a charge controller for my solar panels.

I also wonder if its possible to just replace that chip with one that is rated for more power...

Looking back at MetroMPG's page on alternatorless living, Plug-in Blackfly: going alternator optional nets +10% mpg - MetroMPG.com
I saw that the car cited, a 94 civic, needed about 165W to run the engine and fuel pump only.
Maybe 3 of these in parallel, with beefed-up connectors?
Still looking at NiHAO Mike's suggestion...

Oh, one more thing, my homemade solar panel project is underway, making (first) a 54W panel and then expanding it to 108W for a total cost of $175. If the numbers are correct, if I double my plans, I could drive indefinitely without the alternator as long as the sun was bright and I have gas in the tank!