How much engine power does alternator load consume?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 6,341
Likes: 1
From: Shelton CT
How much engine power does alternator load consume?
:rolleyes:
Ok now that EVERYBODY has had a chnce to flex their brains, have any of those peope ACTUALLY run at the track without an AC or a disconnected AC? If NOT then I'd say *SHUSH* and let someone who actually tried it and knows first hand differences with it..
Listening to the 'people who know' on these 'smart' posts is like starting a thread about FTL travel. You may talk theoritical physics and dynamics all you want, but unless you went FTL *SHUSH*. :conehead
Ok now that EVERYBODY has had a chnce to flex their brains, have any of those peope ACTUALLY run at the track without an AC or a disconnected AC? If NOT then I'd say *SHUSH* and let someone who actually tried it and knows first hand differences with it..
Listening to the 'people who know' on these 'smart' posts is like starting a thread about FTL travel. You may talk theoritical physics and dynamics all you want, but unless you went FTL *SHUSH*. :conehead
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Re: How much engine power does alternator load consume? (Dan Parker '96)
jfb has it nailed
It ain't free.
Larry
code5coupe
:seeya
Pro
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 669
Likes: 0
From: memphis tn
Re: How much engine power does alternator load consume? (rocco16)
jfb is right on about the alternator robbing more power when its load is greater . give you an easy to understand example. a gas powered generator. when you start it , it runs at a certain rpm. the more things you plug into it, the more it bogs down. really no difference between that and your car cept the generator has a much bigger load on it.
one thing i am mixed on. i personally believe that 160 degrees is too cold to keep cylinder temps optimal. however , when the thermostat it closed, it DOES take more power to turn the water pump. this is due to block pressure. to be specific. the waterpump is still trying to "pump" even though there is nowhere to pump the water to when the thermostat is closed. this creates pressure , which takes power to produce. how much power? i have no idea.
just my .02
one thing i am mixed on. i personally believe that 160 degrees is too cold to keep cylinder temps optimal. however , when the thermostat it closed, it DOES take more power to turn the water pump. this is due to block pressure. to be specific. the waterpump is still trying to "pump" even though there is nowhere to pump the water to when the thermostat is closed. this creates pressure , which takes power to produce. how much power? i have no idea.
just my .02
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 7,033
Likes: 12
Re: How much engine power does alternator load consume? (MrNuke)
:rolleyes:
Ok now that EVERYBODY has had a chnce to flex their brains, have any of those peope ACTUALLY run at the track without an AC or a disconnected AC? If NOT then I'd say *SHUSH* and let someone who actually tried it and knows first hand differences with it..
Listening to the 'people who know' on these 'smart' posts is like starting a thread about FTL travel. You may talk theoritical physics and dynamics all you want, but unless you went FTL *SHUSH*. :conehead
Ok now that EVERYBODY has had a chnce to flex their brains, have any of those peope ACTUALLY run at the track without an AC or a disconnected AC? If NOT then I'd say *SHUSH* and let someone who actually tried it and knows first hand differences with it..
Listening to the 'people who know' on these 'smart' posts is like starting a thread about FTL travel. You may talk theoritical physics and dynamics all you want, but unless you went FTL *SHUSH*. :conehead
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 2
Re: How much engine power does alternator load consume? (neverendingproject)
i personally believe that 160 degrees is too cold to keep cylinder temps optimal.
Also, this 12 degree average drop in oil temps also make it difficult for me to buy the theory that cylinder ring/wall wear is greater with a 160 stat installed. Does such a slight temp drop have any effect on the Mobil 1 synthetic oil's coefficient of friction (lubricity) and viscosity? Doubtful. I actually asked Mobil 1 tech about this exact situation and never rec'd an answer. Great tech support huh?
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 1
From: Lake Ozark MO
Re: How much engine power does alternator load consume? (Lone Ranger)
Ok... I did the math and found out that the alternator isn't such a drag.
Using the equation P=IV (power in watts=amperage X voltage) we come up with this:
P=140amps(the max rating on the alternator) X 12 volts
P=1680 watts
1680 watts = 2.25 horsepower.
Now add in frictional losses and such and be conservative so let's double the HP draw plus some. We still come up with only 5HP to drive the alternator at full load.
Hopefully that answers the original post.
[Modified by Dan Parker '96, 9:59 PM 6/1/2003]
Using the equation P=IV (power in watts=amperage X voltage) we come up with this:
P=140amps(the max rating on the alternator) X 12 volts
P=1680 watts
1680 watts = 2.25 horsepower.
Now add in frictional losses and such and be conservative so let's double the HP draw plus some. We still come up with only 5HP to drive the alternator at full load.
Hopefully that answers the original post.
[Modified by Dan Parker '96, 9:59 PM 6/1/2003]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 0
Re: How much engine power does alternator load consume? (MrNuke)
:rolleyes:
Ok now that EVERYBODY has had a chnce to flex their brains, have any of those peope ACTUALLY run at the track without an AC or a disconnected AC? If NOT then I'd say *SHUSH* and let someone who actually tried it and knows first hand differences with it..
Listening to the 'people who know' on these 'smart' posts is like starting a thread about FTL travel. You may talk theoritical physics and dynamics all you want, but unless you went FTL *SHUSH*. :conehead
Ok now that EVERYBODY has had a chnce to flex their brains, have any of those peope ACTUALLY run at the track without an AC or a disconnected AC? If NOT then I'd say *SHUSH* and let someone who actually tried it and knows first hand differences with it..
Listening to the 'people who know' on these 'smart' posts is like starting a thread about FTL travel. You may talk theoritical physics and dynamics all you want, but unless you went FTL *SHUSH*. :conehead
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