harry wrote:
On Sep 24, 10:49 am, "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote:
In article
,
harry wrote:

Volkswagen have been experimenting with thermpiles in the exhaust to
make electricity and thus eliminating the alternator.

Crikey. An alternator is actually a very efficient device. Sounds
like they're clutching at straws.

An automotive alternator is very inefficient. And not having it
removes a parasitic load from the IC engine.

Harry fantastic, you got it! Unlike some other seniles. An alternator can
take 9-15hp off an engine. Remove it, the mechanical parasitical loads like
oil pump, water pump, a/c, and the HP of an engine will rise substantially.
Then the engines can be downsized reducing fuel consumption again.

Just having an alternator with a clutch that cuts out when accelerating mean
the engine can be downsized and acceleration improved. Also the starter
motors can be downsized as well (cheaper & less weight and power drawn from
the battery). All this is easy to do, like the next model update could have
it all - Instead of a 1600cc the engine could be 1300cc.