Improving Alternator Efficiency
 

I read this document a few weeks ago and was impressed with the improvements that are possible with alternators. Problem is that such technology has not reached the US automotive market. Is there any aftermarket source for such an alternator besides one for a bus or a diesel truck? Seems like the average driver is always left to be a bottom feeder as improved technology filters oh so slowly down to our level.

Also, notice that the paper was published in 2008 -- six years ago -- prior to GM's brankruptcy and Delco-Remy's demise.

Thank you eco modder for another misleading thread.

Was the topic about someone who wants to modify their alternator, no. Was it about a new alternator that is more efficient, no. Its an article from 6 years ago from a company that went bankrupt about design flaws in existing alternators.

Anyhoo, Ive often wondered about using one of these PM modded alternators for wind turbines.

Low Wind Permanent Magnet Alternator Wind Turbine Generator PMA | eBay

PMA Permanent Magnet Alternator for Hydro or Gas Engine Made in The USA | eBay

That paper helped me to decide to finally re-do the alternator and water pump "gearing" and rework the entire accessory drive system on my Tempo. :thumbup:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ork-20558.html

I wouldn't say its miss leading.
We could adapt this new technology or reverse engineer it and put it on a 20 year old vehicle.

That paper actually puts numbers to a lot of alternator related things.
It also makes one heck of a case for doing an alt delete even if their savings numbers are only half correct.
They say "Increasing alternator efficiency can, and will, measurably reduce fuel costs". That is pretty big statement.

I was going to do a test to calculate efficiency of a belt, using electric motor, kill-a-watt meter and idler pulley. But I read it in there, the belt has an efficiency of around 98%. I was expecting to see at least a mid 90% number.

I would argue that, at least with GM's current alternator design, that the losses are not as great as shown in this paper.

Most alternators made in the last 10 years are not simply on all the time. Instead, the field coils are PWM controlled to react to load demands and compensate for variable RPM operation. See Pin C(Terminal L) below:

I think the cars I drive could use some alternator improvements.

LOL... Indeed. The only real options are to go with a lower output unit or to just delete it. You also could redo the pulley ratios like Frank.

These options technically don't increase the efficiency of the alternator though, but rather reduce the load as seen by the engine. You could swap in an OBD2 PCM system that monitors the electrical system and can control the newer unit, but that is outside the scope for most people. ;)

My comment was more to the above where someone said that no such efficiency efforts had been made in the US market, which is wholly false. As is the statement that Delco-Remy is dead.