[M] Alterpower alternator charging control switch

[Jemison Richard]

Let me jump in here.  Most of the performance rags 20 years ago during the
dyno tune age when the mags spent much time reporting on dyno time being
used by big teams like Mickey Thomson, Smokey Yunick, Ed Pink, Keith Black,
etc - it was quite common on motors being setup for endurance type racing
and therefore equipped with alternators to report a 5+ hp loss.  Some of
this was recooped by installing bigger pulleys on the alternators.   Some
did use clutches (like your air  conditioner) which would dump the
alternator during peak rpm periods.  Seems like Hot Rod put out a Chevy
manual sometime past which had an article on alternators and included some
discussion of this situation.

rick

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	KD6JDJ at aol.com [SMTP:KD6JDJ at aol.com]
> Sent:	Thursday, March 11, 1999 9:43 PM
> To:	diy_efi at efi332.eng.ohio-state.edu
> Subject:	Re: [M] Alterpower alternator charging control switch
> 
>   Mark
>   I cant explain how the claim of 5 hp gain can be accomplished, can you?
>   The alternator doesnt ever consume 5 hp, I dont think. That would be
> around
> 300 amps into a 12 'load'. Or , if the alternator, with its bearing and
> belt
> and electrical losses, was only 50 percent efficient, it would have to be
> putting 150 amps into a 12volt 'load'.
>   Then if we are considering that the battery is charged, as stated, the
> power
> consumed by the alternator should be way under a hp. At least the power
> consumed by an alternator should be quite low when the battery doesnt need
> to
> be charged, and there are no heater motors and -or air conditioning
> clutches
> and fans running.
> 
>   This is the message that I read --------- 
> 
>   Thought someone might find this interesting....  Good for 5 free hp at
> WOT.
> -Mark
> 
> 
> 
> Return-Path: owner-merkur-owners at HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM
> 
> Here's a gizmo that sounds useful. It automatically switches off
> alternator
> load if you're at full throttle and you've got plenty of charge in your
> battery,
> allowing the engine to devote ALL its power to moving forward.
> 
> 
>      Jerry