09-11-2011, 10:04 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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Cyborg ECU
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Ecomodder Wiki alternator disable guide
Second rookie technical question of the day, sorry: I am trying to determine whether my 1998 stock Civic alternator is of the kind that the wiki describes as easy, or if it is of the sort that is more difficult and requires dis-assembly. I have been searching the PDF of the shop manual, but no luck (it might be there, I just have not found it). Does the 1998 Civic have an alternator that the ECU can disable with a signal when it is not needed? Thanks.
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See my car's mod & maintenance thread and my electric bicycle's thread for ongoing projects. I will rebuild Black and Green over decades as parts die, until it becomes a different car of roughly the same shape and color. My minimum fuel economy goal is 55 mpg while averaging posted speed limits. I generally top 60 mpg. See also my Honda manual transmission specs thread.
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09-13-2011, 03:52 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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How many wires are going into the alternator?
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09-13-2011, 07:20 PM
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#3 (permalink)
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Cyborg ECU
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Phantom
How many wires are going into the alternator?
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Thanks for catching this and replying. It looks like two, one the manual just labels a "WHT Wire" connecting to the "B-Terminal" and one that plugs in with a "4P Connector" ... good news?
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See my car's mod & maintenance thread and my electric bicycle's thread for ongoing projects. I will rebuild Black and Green over decades as parts die, until it becomes a different car of roughly the same shape and color. My minimum fuel economy goal is 55 mpg while averaging posted speed limits. I generally top 60 mpg. See also my Honda manual transmission specs thread.
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09-15-2011, 01:28 PM
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#4 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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I think that you can disable the alternator by disconnecting the wires I just found this post and it might help. http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...-ex-16012.html
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09-15-2011, 02:41 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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Cyborg ECU
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Phantom
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Awesome. Wonder how I missed that thread when I searched. Wrong terms I guess. Thanks. Sent a PM hoping for an update. Printed the first post for a guide. I think I'll copy the strategy in my commute tomorrow.
I'll update when things mature more.
__________________
See my car's mod & maintenance thread and my electric bicycle's thread for ongoing projects. I will rebuild Black and Green over decades as parts die, until it becomes a different car of roughly the same shape and color. My minimum fuel economy goal is 55 mpg while averaging posted speed limits. I generally top 60 mpg. See also my Honda manual transmission specs thread.
Last edited by California98Civic; 09-15-2011 at 05:45 PM..
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09-15-2011, 03:58 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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I'm confused. What's the advantage of cutting the alternator if it's still hooked up? Or isn't it?
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09-15-2011, 05:50 PM
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#7 (permalink)
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Cyborg ECU
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sven7
I'm confused. What's the advantage of cutting the alternator if it's still hooked up? Or isn't it?
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If the alternator is disconnected so that it does not power up to generate electricity, all that is left is for it to nearly freewheel, significantly reducing parasitic draw on the motor. But there's a catch... you will need to power up the battery again somehow. I will plug in the battery at night, and use a 1.5 amp on-board maintainer to keep its charge during my 22-24 mile round-trip daily commute. I don't know for sure how well it will work.
__________________
See my car's mod & maintenance thread and my electric bicycle's thread for ongoing projects. I will rebuild Black and Green over decades as parts die, until it becomes a different car of roughly the same shape and color. My minimum fuel economy goal is 55 mpg while averaging posted speed limits. I generally top 60 mpg. See also my Honda manual transmission specs thread.
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