Everyone seen this? More efficient alternator

[ConnClark]

Originally Posted by Photonfanatic

Can you expand upon that explanation? I'm a bit of an electricity noob and what you're talking about sounds interesting. Are you making a way to make the standard alternator more efficient?

Yes, basically I am making something that will allow you to improve your alternators efficiency.

[cfg83]

Ladogaboy -

Originally Posted by Ladogaboy

23 lbs seems about right for a car alternator; however, I might be missing something here. The various voltages they have listed are fine, but in my experience, car alternators are almost always rated by amperage. That's the one figure I can't find anywhere on their page.

Yeah, I didn't like that either. mort inferred it for us :

The 45 lb 6200 is rated 9 kw or about 750 amp at 12 volt. Might be more than you need.

6200 Model :
9KW = 9000 Watts
Watts / Volts = Amps
9000 watts / 12 volts = 750 Amps

When I look at a chart for the 8080 model (13+ lbs) I seek 1 KW at 1200 RPM :
1000 / 12 = 83 Amps

At 2400 RPM I see ~5KW :
5000 / 12 = 416 Amps

Sooooo, there's plenty of juice in them.

CarloSW2

[Photonfanatic]

So to sum up..

Could be a little more efficient, but still a little heavy.

Worth it as a replacement if you could get one small enough to fit in your car? Perhaps once your current alternator finally dies, and you're going to have to do something anyway.

[Ladogaboy]

Yeah, I was just skimming looking for Amp ratings... didn't think of calculating the amps.

Still, I'm not sure how much "better" these alternators are because you are still dealing with the x factor of how big of a load your current alternator is versus one of these. For reference, my car's alternator is 25-30 lbs (I haven't seen any exact numbers and haven't personally weighed mine) and outputs 130 amps.

Theoretically, if one of their amps weighs the same and offers the same internal resistance/load on the engine as my stock alternator, but produces 260 amps in the process, it should half the time the alternator is actually engaged. Right? If so, there might be some benefit, but I don't know if that is enough to justify replacing a currently operating stock alternator...

[ConnClark]

Originally Posted by Ladogaboy

Theoretically, if one of their amps weighs the same and offers the same internal resistance/load on the engine as my stock alternator, but produces 260 amps in the process, it should half the time the alternator is actually engaged. Right? If so, there might be some benefit, but I don't know if that is enough to justify replacing a currently operating stock alternator...

Alternators are on constantly. A more efficient alternator would reduce the load on your engine. The ability to output 260 amps just means you can add additional electrical devices to your car.

[Ladogaboy]

Ahhh, I was under the impression that alternators had clutches much like the compressors on an A/C unit. When engaged, they draw significantly more energy away from the engine than when they are not. Hmmm...

[deathtrain]

nope thats why some do the alternator kill switch.

[Photonfanatic]

Originally Posted by deathtrain

nope thats why some do the alternator kill switch.

Does it work? Seems like it would put your battery under significantly more strain, thus shortening its life. Could get expensive.

[ConnClark]

Originally Posted by Photonfanatic

Does it work? Seems like it would put your battery under significantly more strain, thus shortening its life.

It will shorten battery life some. As to whether it works for saving fuel is debatable. For every amp you draw out of the battery you have to put 1.15 amps back in to charge it.

[skyking]

you need to consider the maximum front drive load on your engine. Just because it could put out x amps does not mean you can get it without risking a catastrophic failure.