Hmmm, I didn't know they were building alternators with air conditioner compressor-type clutches these days. That can be the only way they could control the alternator's drag on the engine, yes?
I have no idea how they do it but I'd think it would be more electronically controlled. The extra load would only be present when they tell it to charge the battery so I don't think a clutch would be needed.laserfan said:Hmmm, I didn't know they were building alternators with air conditioner compressor-type clutches these days. That can be the only way they could control the alternator's drag on the engine, yes?
I think they do what they can within reason or rather without making the truck too expensive. Certainly they could make the whole thing out of carbon fiber but that's an extreme example. I'd love to get better gas milage but not at the expensive of having to pay more, 35k is plenty. AS for the windshield heater element, that only comes on with the outside temp is like 35 degrees. Who knows if it stays on after you start driving but I'd guess it would turn off after a bit. I'll try to find that out.Whaleya said:I disagree
If Honda is concerned about MPG a bigger draw is the heated windshied that can't be turned off and a hundred other items on the typical truck or car that affects MPG much more then DRL. For example, how about the lack of insulation so the A/C unit is trying to keep a giant tin can cool in the blistering heat?
laserfan said:But DRL affecting spark?
Every current affects engine operation, however unnoticeable it may be. Horsepower is nothing more than an obscure measurement of power, so if an engine produces 255HP, every load carried by the engine has to tap into that same 255HP. I agree that there wouldn't be a huge difference, given the other mechanisms like A/C or power steering, which would certainly overshadow the piddly little draw of DRL.laserfan said:I absolutely cannot imagine an electrical accessory drawing enough current to impact the engine operation, unless of course something is amiss. The alternator, like the a/c compressor when running, by virtue of the belt(s) puts a drag on the engine and THAT affects the engine performance and MPG, just like wind or tire pressure or bed loading or anything else that drags on the engine.
I haven't figured it out either. That's one reason I wouldn't buy a Chevy...of course, now that Honda has a truck I have another reason not to buy one!TacomaDCLB said:Why do you guys like DRLs so much? I disabled them frm my 4Runner, and am ecstatic that my Tacoma dosent have them...
Sorry, I didn't intend to connect you to the Honda response in any way vrtrkr.vertrkr said:Spark? did I miss something here? not sure anyone mentioned spark or what you mean by that. At anyrate, don't shoot the messenger, I'm just relaying info when I asked the quesiton to a senior Honda engineer.
I think I'll retract my statement about conservation of energy. Since automobile engines (even Hondas) are hopelessly inefficient, at about 15% or less, it's very likely that the power consumed by DRL would otherwise just be wasted as heat anyway. So for now DRL probably won't hurt. If we want to save energy we should concentrate on converting all that wasted heat back into something useful.laserfan said:The electrical devices in the car AFAIK have nothing whatsover to do in re drawing more-or-less gasoline from the tank!
MountainBiker said:
No prob, just didn't want anyone thinking I'm making this stuff up.laserfan said:Sorry, I didn't intend to connect you to the Honda response in any way vrtrkr...
Someone correct me, but only if I'm wrong!![]()
I beg to differ. The amount of energy required to turn the alternator increases with the amount of draw on the alternator. You might have jumped a dead car at some point in time and if so would have noticed that when you connect the jumper cables, the running vehicles engine has a slight drop in rpm and you can hear the draw on the alternator. The larger the electrical draw the more the engine has to work to spin the alternator and consequently an increase in fuel consumption.laserfan said:...but the alternator is just another mechanical device, it doesn't use more-or-less of the engine's power depending on battery usage, it's a constant.....