Quote:
Originally Posted by bbgobie
Do you guys think a higher amperage alt would be more efficient for the same given electrical load? Or would it be less?
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Higher capacity does NOT equal higher efficiency. All higher capacity means, is that it will have a higher peak load that it can generate (assuming you need that much power). In general I see little point in a bigger (then needed) alternator, unless you think you might occasionally have high electrical loads you need to power.
For example, my dad has a large capacity alternator in his van, because he occasionally needs to use the thing to charge up a HUGE (~170 pound) battery he uses for electrical power while "dry camping" (i.e. camping away from hookups). However, he clearly doesn't have the alternator for FE, and his FE does drop when charging that huge battery (which is one reason he prefers to charge that battery by plugging it in, whenever that's a viable option).
OTOH there probably is some benefit to getting the most efficient alternator you can get your hands on (although I haven't personally swapped out the alternator in my car yet). And supposedly some models/brands of alternators are measurably more efficient than standard models. But if/when you are hunting for an energy efficient alternator, hunt based upon its efficiency specs (i.e. what percentage of the mechanical work is turned into electricity), vs hunting based on "capacity". Because in many cases a "high capacity" alternator might not be any more "efficient" than a lower capacity one (and is likely physically heaver to boot)!
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