powering down the alternator - Page 4 - Fuelly Forums

Click here to see important news regarding the aCar App

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 08-11-2008, 09:14 AM   #31
Registered Member
 
flapdoodle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 183
Country: United States
Quote:
Originally Posted by theholycow View Post
Did someone say "desulfator"? Was it a DIY, or a commercially available product?
Oh what the heck, it's here:
http://flapdoodledinghy.com/desulfator.html
__________________

flapdoodle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-01-2008, 07:12 AM   #32
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 280
Country: United States
How'd your electrical experiments go? I want to do this too. First I want to properly record the amount of amps (and therefore watts) each system is drawing. Then maybe lower this with LED lights and maybe try to offset with some solar.

I really hate those 1/4 watt, battery tenders though, they're really pricey for what you're getting. I don't mind finding a cheap solar panel on ebay or elsewhere and really want to give peltiers a try, but I'm stuck on what to use as a charge controller. I guess keeping voltage near 14v makes sense even without an alternator, so is there maybe a dual purpose system like that, hook a battery or two (for range) to it and also any electric generation, like solar, and it'll always put out 14v and recharge only when needed, etc? Or plans to build one (more preferable).

My worry with the LEDs is when I'm in DFCO, I want to build them expecting an exact voltage, the 14v thing might do that. I think I'll also need a 555 for when running lights are on to 'dim' my brake lights (same bulb/socket) and have to make my own blinker units. I don't have time to trace and rewire my car ...
__________________

itjstagame is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-01-2008, 07:40 AM   #33
Site Team / Moderator
 
Jay2TheRescue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 4,740
Country: United States
Location: Northern Virginia
There are companies that build LED modules as a drop in replacement for incandescent bulbs. One mentioned fairly often here is superbrightleds.com

-Jay
__________________








Jay2TheRescue is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2008, 12:25 PM   #34
Registered Member
 
rgathright's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 189
Country: United States
Just found this thread and wanted to give you all an update...

The high Louisiana heat forced me to put the alternator cabling back on to power my air conditioner. I am also facing problems with my tires being to tall and causing my MPG to never get high because I have to sping 50Lbs worth of rims. I am trying to find some better rims for my Jeep TJ that are lighter.
rgathright is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2008, 05:06 PM   #35
Registered Member
 
suspendedhatch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 445
Country: United States
Send a message via AIM to suspendedhatch
If you have a 1988 or later Honda, the alternator is already pulse-width-modulated. In essence it only puts as much drag on your crank as is necessary to keep the battery charged. If it's an American car you might see some advantage to doing this. We wont know until you post your honest results.

If your battery voltage drops below about 10 volts the injectors don't work as well and as a workaround the ECU will increase the injector times to try to keep the car running as long as possible. What happens is the air/fuel ratio goes very very rich.
__________________

Civic VX, D15Z7, 5 Speed LSD, AEM EMS, AEM UEGO, AEM Twin Fire, Distributor-less, Waste Spark
suspendedhatch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2008, 07:10 PM   #36
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 1
Country: United States
Best of Both

I have read most of this one and think if we combine both Ideas it will work.

1) Alternator that can be switched on and off. Many one wire alternators out there or learn how to turn yours off and on.

2) when brake light is on make the alternator. Use the power robbing alternator only when you are slowing the vehicle. Kinda Like regenerative braking on electric vehicle. Maybe even upgrade to a more powerful alternator so you will charge enough during stops.

3) Put in Led's and solar panels just to be cool!

4) Stop buying gas and build a electric

Larry

http://fiero-ev.blogspot.com/
Ba1100ns is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2008, 06:50 AM   #37
Registered Member
 
rgathright's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 189
Country: United States
I recommend against using a solar panel because they are very expensive and will get damaged easily in a car.
rgathright is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2008, 07:48 AM   #38
Site Team / Moderator
 
Jay2TheRescue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 4,740
Country: United States
Location: Northern Virginia
I think any plan that involves disconnecting the alternator needs to have LEDs to reduce the vehicle's consumtion of battery power A small solar panel (maybe 1/2 amp?) would also be nice to negate the battery discharge of the brake lights during daytime hours. You can get those 12v solar panels that are supposed to keep the battery topped off relatively cheap.

-Jay
__________________








Jay2TheRescue is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2008, 08:35 AM   #39
Registered Member
 
GasSavers_BEEF's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,831
the solar panels you are talking about are really small (5 watts I think) which really isn't worth the time or money in my opinion. they are really good for RVs that just sit. still I guess every little bit helps

also jay, I like your jay the dry cleaner. it is like joe the plumber but with out the stereotypical butt crack. lol
__________________
Be the change you wish to see in the world
--Mahatma Gandhi



GasSavers_BEEF is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2008, 09:25 AM   #40
Site Team / Moderator
 
Jay2TheRescue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 4,740
Country: United States
Location: Northern Virginia
Yeah, I should have shown up at that rally with a "I'm Jay the Dry Cleaner" poster, but I'm glad I didn't. For some reason security made you leave all posters at the gate. You weren't allowed to bring your own in.

-Jay
__________________

__________________








Jay2TheRescue is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Miles per uk gallon? billabong Fuelly Web Support and Community News 2 11-29-2009 09:40 PM
Aptera makes front page in San Diego razmataz Electric and Solar powered 5 06-20-2008 12:21 PM
Electric Motorsports 2TonJellyBean Electric and Solar powered 0 09-24-2007 06:48 PM
Hiya, Hyundai Accent Owner Here sandalscout Introduce Yourself - New member Welcome 5 08-14-2007 06:20 AM
Driving in neutral bad for engine? GasSavers_jkandell General Fuel Topics 20 05-26-2007 05:42 AM

» Fuelly Android Apps
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 05:34 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.