Considering an Alternator Delete

[mikeyjd]

I've heard of people just taking the belts off and wiring in a battery bank in series. I was wondering, is anything about the b3 that would make this an inadvisable modification?

[jjk1224]

If you are serious make sure you use deep cycle batteries. They are common for boats/RVs. I don't think the extra weight would be worth loosing the alternator though.

[rmoltis]

Or having to pay to refill batteries with electricity at home+the added weight.
Might offset the gains but you won't know until you try.

[mikeyjd]

Or having to pay to refill batteries with electricity at home+the added weight.
Might offset the gains but you won't know until you try.

I have a pretty good idea of what to expect gains wise from experiments done by other people. Adding 100 pounds in batteries will cost me about 1mpg and not having the alternator drag should result in 3-4mpg gain, for a net of 2-3mpg. It's more just to see what is possible with the Festiva than savings at this point, because the minimal saving won't offset the inconvenience of making sure the batteries are properly maintained and charged. My original question had more to do with removing the alternator belt. I was concerned that one of those pulleys ran a water pump or something of that nature.

[Team Lightning]

The alternator belt DOES run the water pump so you have to turn the water pump via some method.
I've seen in Hotod magazine that some people run the water pump with an electric motor. That could be an option for a Festiva project.

[rmoltis]

Couldn't you just replace The belt with a smaller belt to fit around all the pulleys except the alternator?

Or is the alternator the tensioner for the whole system?

I guess if the were the case you'd need to keep the ac pulley mounted to a metal bracket.
Where the two end pieces connect to the 2 bolts the alternator are held in place with.
It would make a custom tensioner to fit in place of the alternator.

Just an idea.

[mikeyjd]

Couldn't you just replace The belt with a smaller belt to fit around all the pulleys except the alternator?

Or is the alternator the tensioner for the whole system?

I guess if the were the case you'd need to keep the ac pulley mounted to a metal bracket.
Where the two end pieces connect to the 2 bolts the alternator are held in place with.
It would make a custom tensioner to fit in place of the alternator.

Just an idea.

Yeah it is the tensioner. I think it's probably a nogo since I don't want to mess around with figuring out an electric motor to run the water pump.

[Damkid]

Alternator delete = very stupid idea

But to each their own

[rmoltis]

I always thought it would be cool to take a festiva and remove the engine.
And leave the transmission in place.
And you know how the engine holds the flywheel.
Make a way to mount the flywheel to the transmission so it supports the whole clutch assembly.

And somehow with some magic between the cabin and the transmission.
Make a bicycle peddle type setup running with one "axle" for the driver and passenger to pedal.
And maybe scoot the seats back for room.
And make yourself the engine connected to the gearbox.
All while being able to change gears still for increased peddling efficiency.
Maybe a tiny alternator capable of running the lights and wipers.
And something that generates vacuum for the brake booster.

And remove any extra weight possible associated with the engine.
Exhaust, engine, gas tank etc.

This would be fun to drive.
And instead of miles per gallon.
It would be miles per calorie.
:-D

[jason_]

This might be worth it for 1/4 miles...

Battery enough for 10 min warm up and the run, without having engine charge a battery, or turn a pump for more ponies on the ground....

Summit sells electric pump kits.

Besides that, just spend the few extra pennies @ the nozzle?

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[mikeyjd]

This might be worth it for 1/4 miles...

Battery enough for 10 min warm up and the run, without having engine charge a battery, or turn a pump for more ponies on the ground....

Summit sells electric pump kits.

Besides that, just spend the few extra pennies @ the nozzle?

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Yeah, like I said it has nothing to do with the pennies, as I know the savings is insignificant. It would literally take over 50,000miles to pay for itself if one was able to source cheap batteries and do it all the time. That being said, I'm interested in seeing how far I can push the limits on fuel efficiency with this particular vehicle, but we all have our limits as to what we're willing to invest for what we want. I'm in the process of looking into more advanced modifications and this is one of the more common ones. In all likelihood I won't end up going forward with this mod since the water pump is dependent on the belt and the alternator doubles as the tensioner.

[Movin]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pro-66235b

If the alt and all else is out of the way there would be plenty of room for this kit to be installed.

[Festy46]

We ran our circle track car without the alternator. I fabricated a bracket and used an idler pulley in place of the alternator. It worked fine. I used a regular good quality starter battery (not a deep cycle) and would fully charge it before each night of racing. The battery would run for the whole night, but that's not the same if you were going to be driving for hours or using any kind of lights on the car.

[jason_]

Solar panel the ecm and water pump.

Just check cloud cover before rolling out.

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[fujioko]

Why not just disconnect the ignition lead to the back of the alternator. The alternator would no longer charge the battery. You would still get minor losses from the belt though.

If the experiment proves worthwhile then you could always add a toggle switch to the alternator to turn it on and off.