Zero power robbing alternator?

[86pontiac2+2]

It is well know that accessories rob horsepower from the engine. The much needed alternator is one of those power leaches. I am wondering if anybody is using a permanent magnet type alternator or has built one for themselves. For those who know their stuff, how much power is lost to an alternator on average? Would it be worth the expense of going to rare earth magnets as an alternative? Those alternators are being implemented for green purposed power generation and run anywhere from around $130-$300depending on the vendor.



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[pontiacgp]

they have them but you'll need to control them.....

https://shop.alternatorparts.com/permanent-magnet-alternators.html

 

[454GrandPrix]

It is well know that accessories rob horsepower from the engine. The much needed alternator is one of those power leaches.

Careful with your generalization there. All leaches are not created equal. Traditional alternators are extremely efficient at making electricity, meaning they produce very little drag. I'm on my phone, so I can't paste a link right now, but Car Craft dynoed an engine with no alternator. They then bolted one in place and saw a reduction of only 1.0 horsepower. Finally, they wired up a large Black Magic engine fan to create a significant electrical load--the engine's power dropped only another 0.6 horsepower.

Would it be worth the expense of going to rare earth magnets as an alternative?

Would the cost of the upgrade be worth gaining two horsepower? That sounds like an awful ROI to me. You'd get a better value for your upgrade dollar by spendng that money on freer-flowing muffler(s) instead.

 

[pontiacgp]

When we raced thunder and super stocks in circle track which ran the basic SBC 602 crate engine some guys who though the alternator robbed hp and speed ran without an alternator. They had no advantage over cars running an alternator even at the beginning of the race when their battery was fully charged. We even did a time trial without the alternator to see if the lap times improved, they didn't. Even with the high budget teams they all use a racing alternator and some have it mounted on the rear end. There is no team running a permanent magnetic alternator.

 

[Wageslave]

IIRC, worst case scenario was that an alternator would take 1hp for every 33 amps of actual current draw for the SI series alternators, I would imagine the CS series alternators were even more efficient.

 

[MC96]

multiply your alternator amperage by your voltage, then divide that number by 745.7

Thats how many hp your alternator uses.

 

[TURNA]

I would worry more about a power steering pump than an alternator.

Especially since power steering is not a necessity.

 

[1bad79]

I would worry more about a power steering pump than an alternator.

Especially since power steering is not a necessity.

Unless you have hydroboost brakes then it’s a necessity