On Sep 26, 2:11*pm, tony sayer wrote:
In article
.com, harry scribeth thus









On Sep 24, 8:47*pm, tony sayer wrote:
In article
s.com, harry scribeth thus

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.

Really, why is that and just how inefficient?.

It's inefficient because it's made to a price and petrol was cheap.

Thats err, a very scientific argument Harry;!...

It's an economic argument not scientific..

They could be made far more efficient with say neodymium magnets
instead of electromagnets. The air gaps in the magnetic circuit could
be reduced.

All costs money. More than people are prepared to pay when petrol is
cheap.