Electrocharger

[Allbert]

Found this article in another forum... http://www.saturnfans.com/Cars/Futur...rstarter.shtml . Sounds like GM has something real similar aimed at future production. The article is from 2003, so they may have hit some roadblocks (like the variable transmission sucked).

[Schrade]

I haven't read the website info yet, but after reading some replies, I think I can guess what someone's sellin'.

And there might be somethin' to it.

Your motor turns the alternator at a cost of some gasoline energy. With a standard-amp-rated alternator, most of the electrical energy gets used by the motor, accessories, etc., and the alternator's internal voltage regulator 'reads' how much electricity gets used up, and how much is needed. When the voltage regulator opens the circuit, cuz there's no load (400watt stereo off, A/C off, and battery pretty much full of charge), THE ALTERNATOR IS STILL TURNING, so you're wasting FREE POWER. If you have on your truck a high-amp-rated optional alternator, such as for a trailering package, sure - there's a SLIGHTLY greater draw on the motor, BUT, if you're not using that electrical power, MUCH MORE electrical energy is wasted by the alternator turning with the voltage regulator circuit open.

Depending on exactly how this discombobugonkulator [sp] thing works, might be something there, besides a scam...

[Tangent]

That sounds similar to how the charging/starting system is set up on the Silverado hybrids. It isn't belt driven, but the alternator/starter is a single unit. That was actually how it used to be back in the early days of electric start cars but they went away for some reason. Using a higher voltage is also more efficient for any given amperage so using a 36 volt alternator makes good sense.

Unfortunately several automakers recently gave up on a joint plan to migrate new cars to a 24 volt system. With the amount of power many cars and their accessories are using now a 24 volt system could have allowed smaller guage wiring and had more room for expansion.

[Schrade]

True, very true, about higher efficiency with higher voltage, Tangent. That's why in Europe they generate public utilities on 440V.
Now this Silverado charging/starting thing - interesting - how does that work...?

[balls_to_the_wall]

Forget the 24 volt electrical system. I just read in a mechanical engineering magazine cars are supposed to be 42 volt in the next 10 years to help power all the stuff that is becoming electronic on the cars....

Later

-Ryan