Stupidist Plan yet to save gas -- muzzling the alternator

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by Stevewoods, Dec 1, 2025 at 2:29 PM.

  1. T1 Terry

    T1 Terry Active Member

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    Induction refers to a wire coil that is charged up with what ever the cell voltage is and holds what ever cell capacity was required to fully charge the wire coil ..... this may be only milli amp hrs, but the rapid switch combined with the voltage differential, it could be anywhere up to 5 amps of current moving in and out through any single induction coil, but on average, it's generally 1 amp or less ....., switching at a high hertz rate, it can move a fare amount of capacity from one cell or a multiple of cells, to the lowest voltage cell, rapidly bring all the cell voltages to within 15 millivolts, then it shuts down and turns on again at approx. 150millivolts ..... but you have to be either logging the cell voltages or be "Jonny on the spot" to see the switch on point, the high cell voltage drops rapidly from the 150millivolts higher than the other cells ..... 3 cells at 3.5v would see the high cell reach 3.65v before the cell equaliser turned on again .....

    T1 Terry
     
  2. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Is this related to switch mode power supplies?
     
  3. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    In ECOmodder forum, there were proposals to eliminate 12 V charging load to improve MPG. If the 12 V battery is replaced with a modern battery and solar panels, this could work. Still carry the alternator for backup but run the low voltage system from a modern battery and stored solar energy.

    I would implement it with a solenoid belt tensioner to minimize mechanical drag and the problem is solved. Normal practice is to use solar-battery around town and only when driving longer distances, backup with the belt tensioned, alternator.

    Sad to say, I don't have an engine driven alternator. My BMW i3-REx has a two-cylinder engine driven generator used only when the battery charge is too low or I'm doing a long cross country. I prefer to use my battery is backup for the 2.3 gal gas tank.

    Bob Wilson