Russell Johnson wrote:
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? :)
Here's another little tidbit that everyone knows--or should--but somehow
manages to ignore.
Generators/alternators were NOT designed to charge a dead battery.
That's why when folks ask me for a jump, I offer instead to take them
home or else to remove their battery and take it somewhere and get it
charged for them.
"But it's an emergency..."
Which usually means they're late for this week's episode of the
simpsons--or worse, some reality blight.
Unless they're hemorrhaging or having a baby--and the water better
already be broke--I tell them again, take your battery out and get it
charged or buy a new one.
By then of course, someone else has come along and given them a jump and
they're on their way, giving me the wary look. Then in a matter of
weeks or a month or two if they're lucky (and with no apparent
connection to the previous incident), their alternator/generator gives
out from overwork at having to charge a dead battery.
New batt: 40 bux; new alternator: 200 bux. Not much of a decision
there.
_______________________________________________
EUGLUG mailing list
euglug@euglug.org
http://www.euglug.org/mailman/listinfo/euglug
