Volvo 940 super mpg mobile

[Smelly_Cat]

ASbug.  The. On off alternator switch is my next attempt.  We both think alike.  my plan is to remember to charge when I decelerate or after I reach cruising speed on highway.  after driving with the alt off.  I like The pure engine sound without the wrrr of the alt.

I bet this would be like a turbo switch if I did the to my beetle.   

[dubtech]

You could always use a throttle body mounted switch so that it only charges at idle or when the throttle body is closed.

Just out of curiosity.  When's the last time a tune up was done?  Plugs, wires, O2 sensor, air & fuel filters, etc.?  And not with Vato Zone/Advance/O'Reilly's junk.

[Smelly_Cat]

dubtech!  What is this   "tuneup". Word?  I am not familiar with it?  Is that when I by bunch of parts and replace functioning parts?  /sc

[dubtech]

Yes, yes it is.

[Zen]

dubtech!  What is this   "tuneup". Word?  I am not familiar with it?  Is that when I by bunch of parts and replace functioning parts?  /sc

 . . . replacing functioning parts vs. disabling functioning parts . . . just disabling them is cheaper . . . at least in the begining.  SC, you gott'a remember that you have moved from "the triangle."   The "force" may no longer be with you.  You might actually have to do a tune-up someday.   

[Smelly_Cat]

I need a turnip. Thx Zen    Today I found some speaker wire and ran a switch to the alternator exciter wire.  This would let me turn the alternator on and off.    I turns out that once the alternator has been excited,  it stays excited until I turn it off.  Whats a good way to turn an alternator off since it appears that I now know what  turns alternators on. SC

[Bignick]

I need a turnip. Thx Zen    Today I found some speaker wire and ran a switch to the alternator exciter wire.  This would let me turn the alternator on and off.    I turns out that once the alternator has been excited,  it stays excited until I turn it off.  Whats a good way to turn an alternator off since it appears that I now know what  turns alternators on. SC

Tell it your mother is coming to stay for the weekend!   

[Smelly_Cat]

Added some electronics to the Super Car.  Multimeter and a bathroom switch to turn the Alternator on and off.  Sc

[ASBug]

Do you know you have a gigantic spider attacking your neighborhood?
Just thought I'd let you know.
KC

[Ret.Bugtech]

Do you know you have a gigantic spider attacking your neighborhood?
Just thought I'd let you know.
KC

Come on KC, You know that is the very dangerous "Black Ringgold Recluse".  They have a  hugh  appetite for "Triangle" ex-patriots that have a vendetta against helpless Volvos. Wait a min!! That may be Russ's new pet. He's not taking any chances !! 

[Anthony]

My head is hurting. If bypassing the alternator is the secret to better mileage then we would all be riding around with solar panels on our roof by now. The engine doesn't care if the voltage regulator is saying "juice" or "no juice" because it is spinning anyway. It doesn't add a load like an a/c compressor does when it kicks on. Anyone ever feel a dip in horsepower when you turn on your lights? If so its time to worry about a new alternator or battery, not your mileage. The only benefit that you'd see from alt/no alt is to remove the belt or alt entirely so there's less load on the engine. Or, if you're feeling froggy, try hooking up an a/c compressor-style clutch to it. Of course, every alternator I've ever held outside of a car spun pretty freely, so I can't imagine you getting much of a gain there. Plus, now you're talking about the extra mass of the clutch assembly itself.

Let's look more at the real enemy-friction losses and weight. If you want better mileage start by shedding anything unnecessary: seat cushions, trim pieces, swap all that glass for plexi and, while you're at it, mount it flush with the pillars. Don't worry about putting the windows down, that will cost you in aero flow. Replace your heavy seat frames with folding chairs (it worked for me in the Beetle camper, recall) and now let's talk about friction.
We estimate that, in a Vee, each bump up in oil thickness uses .5 horsepower. Thats 1.5 HP in an engine that makes only 60HP, so you know I'm using the thinnest the weather will allow! That also eats gas. Red Line makes some fantastic low-friction transmission and rear-end fluid that protects like dope but flows like 10-30. Put your tires at the max pressure printed on the sidewall and get some full-moon wheel covers. Got a roof rack? Lose it. Tape over any cracks or seams you're not using.
This is scratching the surface and not even talking about driving techniques...

[Bignick]

oops,  you already suggest the a/c clutch on the alternator. Just read this...

I like those ideas. I think weight reduction would do a whole lot to help.

Maybe put a scaled down version of the 18 wheeler tails on the back to help reduce drag!

[Smelly_Cat]

I guarentee that the alt. free spinning gives me horse power.  For a while I drove with out the alt belt. And when the car was idling.  The alt.  pully  was hard to turn by hand.    Right now I can start the car with out exciting the alt.  nice idle,  when I flick the excite switch.  The engine stumbles and the  CPU  Gives it gas to keep idle at 800.  So at idle I use more gas with the alt  charging.     on a little bug engine. I bet it is like having a5th cyl if the alt is not charging the battery.     heck,  lots of new cars have alternaters that. Turn on and off to save gas.    Sc

[travisyoung]

I have heard the light weight synthetic trans and gear dope can Benefit milage ,  my science teacher improved 1 mpg changing fluids and lower rpm for the same speed

[Anthony]

Well, remember on an air-cooled car you're turning the fan along with the generator/alternator, so that's where your drag is coming from in that case. Years ago the Vee drivers ran their fan belts loose to get that extra bit of HP. Eventually they let us scrap the fan altogether and run with forward-facing air scoops.
Another thought-how about a larger alternator pulley so it spins slower and takes less effort from the engine?