Reducing electrical loads

[The Atomic Ass]

How much do you guys figure dropping a 60W load from the alternator would save?

I'm considering dropping my DRL on the Burgman.

[stevey_frac]

60 watts is about .08 hp. Even assuming the alternator is only 50% efficiency, you'd be looking at a savings of .16 hp. I think the fuel economy increase would be at the limit of your ability to detect. However, it would make a difference, and everything helps?

-Steve

[JacobAziza]

You can save another 40-150 watts by changing all the running / signal / brake lights to LEDs (depending on the car/number of bulbs),
at least at night.
If you do both changes at the same time, it might make a difference you can notice.

[Christ]

The 'burg has a built in alternator, right?

It probably only produces about 10-20 amps, max.

For posterity, the one on my tractor's engine is built in (it's part of the flywheel). It takes about .6 HP to make 15 amps @ 12VDC. (According to Briggs, IIRC)

15*12 = 180 watts

Assuming 50% efficiency, 180 watts takes about .5 HP to make, the rest of the power loss is heat, I presume.

If your 'Burg makes 50 HP max (unlikely, probably closer to 30), you're looking at 1-2% of your total output being used for max load on the alternator. Relatively insignificant, but you may get something from it.

[The Atomic Ass]

Originally Posted by JacobAziza

You can save another 40-150 watts by changing all the running / signal / brake lights to LEDs (depending on the car/number of bulbs),
at least at night.
If you do both changes at the same time, it might make a difference you can notice.

I've tried that. The rear lights go in vertically through the bottom of the light pod, and auto-store LED's don't produce any viewable light from the rear.

And I don't have any money for anything else at the moment, unfortunately.

[JacobAziza]

Originally Posted by The Atomic Ass

I've tried that. The rear lights go in vertically through the bottom of the light pod, and auto-store LED's don't produce any viewable light from the rear.

And I don't have any money for anything else at the moment, unfortunately.

You would just need a right angle bulb, like this:

Product Listing - CAR

Or a multi directional one like any of these:
1157 1156 Superlumination.com leds (Automotive Replacement Light Bulbs, Headlights, Foglights & Lamps)

I didn't realize at first it was for a motorcycle; so it would save all the time, not just at night.
I use them in my bike, very happy with them.

They are kind of expensive though.