How much hp does alternator tie up?
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From: Michigan (Macomb or Lansing)
How much hp does alternator tie up? I was talking the other night to some friends and they say the alternator ties up 15-20 hp and If i wire a switch to it for when im racing, I can free all that up. Is this true? Are alternators really that parasitic and if so, does shutting them off free it up?
Is it a worth while mod to use in the 1/4?
Will running a 1/4 mile w/ the alternator off hurt anything? WIll the car have enough juice running just off the battery?
Is it a worth while mod to use in the 1/4?
Will running a 1/4 mile w/ the alternator off hurt anything? WIll the car have enough juice running just off the battery?
I doubt you would lose any time from that. You gain 15-20 switching to an electric fan on certain cars, and that is direct resistance with air. You can freely spin an alternator in your hand very easily, I dont know how much it takes to spin when there is power through it, but I doubt it would be anymore than 5 hp.
I'm not sure I've seen people with switches on them. Doubt it makes a ig difference. One thing I have noticed tho is if the window is up and I hit up on the switch you can here the engine die out for a second. So I guess it does take a lil hp. Doubt its worthwhile.
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (14)
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Michigan (Macomb or Lansing)
Originally Posted by dpw41285
heh a switch...you rmevoe the belt to take away from parasitic drag. do your self a favor get new friends
I dont' think it is worth it. Most Alternators put out 14.4 volts to the battery and the rest of the car's electrical system. When you disable the alternator the only voltage you have is the 12 volts comming out of the battery, which it may be lower depending on anything electrical you have turned on, for example, fuel pump, ignition, and ECM.
Do you really want to send only 12 volts or less to your ignition system or fuel pump. I dunno about you guys but I want as much power going to the coils and fuel pump as I can get.
If you are really interested in trying this get one of those 12v/14v batteries. Connect your ignition and fuel pump to the 14 volt side and everything else including you alternator (with on/off switch) to the 12 volt side of the battery.
Do you really want to send only 12 volts or less to your ignition system or fuel pump. I dunno about you guys but I want as much power going to the coils and fuel pump as I can get.
If you are really interested in trying this get one of those 12v/14v batteries. Connect your ignition and fuel pump to the 14 volt side and everything else including you alternator (with on/off switch) to the 12 volt side of the battery.
In simple terms when the windings are energized in the alternator it makes a big electromagnet. And if you try to turn it when it is engergized it is hard to do. It takes the most power to spin than any other accesory. I dont know if your battery will put out enough juice for long enough to run the car in the 1/4. But try it and see. Voltage might drop enough towards the end to cause some problems. You might want to have a fuel pressure guage, or maybe a wideband so you can tell if your running lean from not enough fuel. Hate to meltdown a motor for 15 horse.
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Ok here is a thought. If your alternator is draining that much power in the 1/4 mile and you have nothing on but you car running, then it is a good chance your car may need that power for fuel system and PCM etc. I would not mess with it. I seriously doubt that you will see 15 HP by bypassing or trying to make the Alt freewheel. I use to see people take the A/C belt off at the track, to get a little bit more. DId them no good lol, more work then it was worth lol. Your driving, traction and 60ft will make a bigger difference then that.
i took the powersteering and AC system off my car totally. cut about 100 pounds and gave about 15 more RWHP. thats a nice mod but just a switch will net you about ZERO to the tires lol. the real thing to do (RACE ONLY) would be get a 12/14 like someone above said and remove it from the car totally. run an electric water pump with no AC and no PS and have a totally belt free setup to gain more to the tires. not worth it unless its on a 100% race car.
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