Darrough, James wrote:
My 1990 Geo Metro XfI averages 50 mpg. If I follow truckers closely, I can get as much as 60. I am trying to find ways to improve it, like low rolling resistance tires and LED lamps in all the sockets, but during the really cold months, the snow tires are reducing my average mpg to around 48. Also toying with disabling the alternator and just charging the battery at home.
Drive the alternator off the crankshaft.
I think you will find that running much of anything requires the alternator unless you never drive more than 10 miles round trip at night, and about 30 during the day. Plan on replacing the battery about once a year, as lead acid batteries aren't designed to cycle that much.
The reason cars have a really big alternator and a relatively small battery is because the battery is for starting only. The alternator is for driving all the electronics. Unless you've retrofitted the engine with points, there are lots of electronics in your Geo/Suzuki.
But you knew that, didn't you? :) Russ. _______________________________________________ EUGLUG mailing list euglug@euglug.org http://www.euglug.org/mailman/listinfo/euglug
