Fwd: [M] Alterpower alternator charging control switch

[Jim Davies]

On Fri, 12 Mar 1999, Frederic Breitwieser wrote:

> > Thought someone might find this interesting....  Good for 5 free hp at WOT.
> 
> Something to consider on the flip side - your alternator
> puts out 13.x volts... where as a fresh battery puts out
> 12V.  As you use the battery more and more without charging
> it, the voltage simply goes down.  Until about 9V when the
> car stalls and you go camping at that exact spot :)
> 
A 12 volt battery puts out 12.6 volts and most cars have a running
operating voltage of 13.5 to maybe 15.5 volts [minor nit] The thing that I
always question about these freebee cutout thingies is that if you
understand how an alternator regulator works, you wouldn't expect much of
a horsepower increase from them. Dont forget, if system voltage is okay
and significant loads are not switched on [headlights, A/C, sound
system...] the alternator will only be outputting a fraction of its rated
amperage, thus no power loss,