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G4XNH > TECHNI 14.08.04 11:47l 81 Lines 4415 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 812566G4XNH
Read: GUEST
Subj: Re: Car Battery Confusion.
Path: DB0FHN<DB0MRW<OK0PPL<DB0RES<ON0AR<EB2BJX<GB7YKS
Sent: 040814/0112Z @:GB7YKS.#19.GBR.EU #:11929 [Barnsley] $:812566G4XNH
From: G4XNH@GB7YKS.#19.GBR.EU
To : TECHNI@WW
Dick, VK3ABK wrote:-
"A car alternator is designed to run the entire car electrical system, and
to do this hours on end. The rated output, typically 40-45 Amp, is more
than adequate to run the car electrics, and the battery is only used for
cranking and running lights etc when stationary. Once the car is running,
the battery only serves as a circuit control device."
From past experience, I must disagree with those comments. Years ago, I
once had to drive a car from A to B and had to remove the battery. I
started the car and kept it running whilst I removed the battery. It ran
fine for a mile or so and then I started experimenting. First I turned the
side lights on and it continued to run with no difference. Then I switched
on the dipped beam and the engine stopped. It would NOT supply the current
necessary to provide enough power to light the dimmed lights. I tried this
several times with the same result. Run main beams and no chance of the
engine continuing to run.
I then did other tests. Sidelights, fine, then washers, still Ok, then
plus the indicators and the engine slowed down so I switched the washers
off. I later tried this on another car or two and got the same results. My
reasonable consclusion was that after pulling the standard 200 or 300 amps
or so out of the battery to turn the heavy engine over and start it, the
electrical power provided was sufficient to provide sparks at the plugs
etc. to drive for some distance with no problem. Once a bigger load was
applied, the engine alternator just could not provide sufficient and so
must starve the sparks and hence stall the engine. Unless alternators have
improved considerably since that time, it was some years back and
technology HAS improved somewhat so it may be possible to provdied all the
circuits now as Dick suggests, but I suspect that that is not the case and
that the same rules apply. Anyone wish to try it and send their results? I
would be interested in the results.
Regarding motorcycles having to have lights on by law. As an experienced
motor cyclist of many years, I can positively state that ALL sensible
riders that I ever knew made certain that their lights were on ALL of the
time! Why? Because there are many car drivers out there who do not give a
damn about such road users and feel they should not be on the road. I
often heard such comments made in company where it was not known that I
was a motorcyclist so they never realised that they were letting "the
percived enemy know". This type of motorist is a danger to others. Some
drivers will often not even SEE a motor cycle which makes it extremely
dangrous to NOT have one's lights on.
I always had mine on regardless of wx condx. When I was a regular user, I
was clipped by passing cars on more than one occasion. On one occasion I
was nearly knocked into oncoming traffic and struggled to control my
machine. Fortunately I managed to. When I came up to him on the road
again, I pulled up beside the driver's open window and made a reasonable
statement about his hitting me even though I was SHOUTING at him to watch
where he was driving as he hit me and he totally ignored me, and I got a
vitriolic mouthful as if it was MY fault for being on the road!
Presumably he was of similar mind to those I had overheard expressing such
thoughts about what they would to do a motor-cyclist, ANY motorcyclist
that they might come across.
I find that disgraceful and feel that such individuals should be banned
from driving for life if that is how they behave and act after committing
such dangerous offences. I thought at first that it may indicate either a
"grudge" nudge" (Doubtful but possible, though NOT against myself but
others, as I NEVER gave cause for such negative and dangerous actions) or
a complete and utter disregard for good driving, or NOT paying attention
to other road users. Later, I realised that it was merely an ignorant
moron who felt he had the right to push less weighty vehicvles off the
road. Hopefully he was later banned from driving. Road rage is now rearing
its ugly head in this country as it has for some time in the US. A pretty
bad indication of the quality of driver and person.
73 - Jeff, G4XNH @ GB7YKS
Brightraven94@Hotmail.com
Interests. Historical research, dowsing and reading.
Message timed: 01:29 on 2004-Aug-14
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