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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!ihnp4!inuxc!pur-ee!uiucdcs!trsvax!mikey
From: mikey@trsvax.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: Alternators
Message-ID: <55200141@trsvax.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 6-Feb-85 10:14:00 EST
Article-I.D.: trsvax.55200141
Posted: Wed Feb  6 10:14:00 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 9-Feb-85 06:32:42 EST
References: <776@sdcsla.UUCP>
Lines: 18
Nf-ID: #R:sdcsla:-77600:trsvax:55200141:000:906
Nf-From: trsvax!mikey    Feb  6 09:14:00 1985



Most non-solid state regulators keep a small charge to the battery under
most conditions and kick to a high charge under certain conditions.  The
problem with cutting out your alternator for highway cruising
is that it can ruin your battery, unless you have a "marine" battery, or
also called a deep cycle battery.  Regular lead-acid car batteries can
be damaged it they are discharged past a certain point and left there
with even a small load.  Putting an extra switch under the gas pedal
to cut out he AC and alternator is a great idea for short burst of
ultimate go power, but I would not recommend that you run just the 
battery for a cruise.  Best idea is to replace the alternator and 
regulator with the new solid state designs that have a variable field
regulator.  Then the alternator only puts out whats needed to run the 
car plus a SMALL extra kick to keep the battery up.

mikey at trsvax