Does turning off radio, air con etc improve power?
Discussion
Started having a discussion at work about this, but had to shut up when couldn't justify it!
Theory goes using "electricity" in the car saps energy (output) from the engine, therefore reducing power/using more fuel. What I don't get though is, if your alternator or Air con pump is belt driven, then surely that belt is spinning all the while? so if it is charging the battery or not is irrelevant?
So where's the power loss??
Theory goes using "electricity" in the car saps energy (output) from the engine, therefore reducing power/using more fuel. What I don't get though is, if your alternator or Air con pump is belt driven, then surely that belt is spinning all the while? so if it is charging the battery or not is irrelevant?
So where's the power loss??
te every year stigmundfreud said:
how much use vs how sad you are 
Sarah makes me listen to that shite every year
Sarah makes me listen to that shite every year
makes you.... ...yeah right!
Mel said you had pictures of Noddy (not Big Ears' mate)and Roy Wood on your bedroom walls when she stayed over.... Nothing wrong with Xmas AT XMAS, but shite in the summer, but then I wouldn't hear it past the open windows...
Getting itchy for some WOT in the dry now.
My Impreza used to do that as well, although in that and even more so in the Ro I doubt you would notice.
In my old Sunny GTI, you could tell when the Aircon switched in while cruising or acclerating slightly, as you could feel the slight drop in forward motion as it loaded the engine.
I imagine it is even more pronounced in these small 1 Litre cars as everything seems to get Aircon these days, then again the aircon in them is probably electric to prevent stalling the engine.
Del
In my old Sunny GTI, you could tell when the Aircon switched in while cruising or acclerating slightly, as you could feel the slight drop in forward motion as it loaded the engine.
I imagine it is even more pronounced in these small 1 Litre cars as everything seems to get Aircon these days, then again the aircon in them is probably electric to prevent stalling the engine.
Del
turning air-con off can help to the tune of up to 25HP or thereabouts.
regarding the radio, assuming that EVERYTHING you have is turned on and the alternator is putting out, say 100A, then that whole load, even allowing for the alternator to be only 50% efficient, adds up to only 3HP.
probably the greatest contribution would be by closing the windows, but depending on how fast you are going. Aerodynamic drag increases at the square of the speed.
regarding the radio, assuming that EVERYTHING you have is turned on and the alternator is putting out, say 100A, then that whole load, even allowing for the alternator to be only 50% efficient, adds up to only 3HP.
probably the greatest contribution would be by closing the windows, but depending on how fast you are going. Aerodynamic drag increases at the square of the speed.
turning air-con off can help to the tune of up to 25HP or thereabouts.
regarding the radio, assuming that EVERYTHING you have is turned on and the alternator is putting out, say 100A, then that whole load, even allowing for the alternator to be only 50% efficient, adds up to only 3HP.
probably the greatest contribution would be by closing the windows, but depending on how fast you are going. Aerodynamic drag increases at the square of the speed.
regarding the radio, assuming that EVERYTHING you have is turned on and the alternator is putting out, say 100A, then that whole load, even allowing for the alternator to be only 50% efficient, adds up to only 3HP.
probably the greatest contribution would be by closing the windows, but depending on how fast you are going. Aerodynamic drag increases at the square of the speed.
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