Official Thread for posting daily FE updates

[krousdb]

Originally Posted by kickflipjr

Well, krousdb seems like he has mastered the hills of pittsburgh

I just use them to my advantage. A carefully planned route is key. Not to mention a bit of luck.

[95metro]

Originally Posted by XFi

Just a quick update...Just installed a deep cycle battery. Had to purchase a rather expensive Optima 'yellow top' because it was the only deep cycle I could find that would fit in my battery tray. Installed a battery charger in the vehicle and disconnected the alternator. The alternator tensions the belt for my water pump, so I left it in there as an idler (very little drag without a field). Expect this to push me into the 60's finally....we'll see!

A few questions: where did you install the charger? No problems starting with the deep cycle? CCA on a deep cycle would be very low, right? Probably not much good for a Canadian winter...*thinking hard*.

[mtbiker278]

Just for my own gratification

320.xx miles on 7.8 gallons

figures out to a hair over 41mpg, 90% highway

Best tank yet

[GasSavers_katman]

Last tank on the Tahoe got over 500 miles!!!!
512.4 miles, 29.540 gal, 17.346 MPG!!
Normally only get about 470 but this tank last quarter pumped tires to 55 lbs and put in Halo plugs!
Thinking about maybe some under drive pulleys and maybe an electric fan instead of the belt driven fan. They both helped on my race car!

[95metro]

Originally Posted by katman

Thinking about maybe some under drive pulleys and maybe an electric fan instead of the belt driven fan.

A belt drive fan in a post-80's vehicle? That's the first one I've heard about. What was GM thinking when they did that???

[MetroMPG]

Congrats on the great tanks, guys. Is that a personal best for you too, katman?

I'd ditch the belt and go electric if it's a constantly "on" pulley. Some have clutch pulleys, don't they? My brother's Camaro had a hydrostatic fan pulley. The fan didn't exert much pressure until the fluid in the pulley heated up.

[XFi]

Originally Posted by 95metro

A few questions: where did you install the charger? No problems starting with the deep cycle? CCA on a deep cycle would be very low, right? Probably not much good for a Canadian winter...*thinking hard*.

Charger itself is installed inside the vehicle. I ran the wires through the firewall up to the battery. The plug I initially ran to the front of the vehicle, but decided to just put it under the hood for right now. If this works like I am hoping, I will direct connect the charger to the battery (get rid of the positive and negative clamps) and run the electrical plug to be accessible without opening the hood.

The battery charger is a Black and Decker 6a/4a/2a (made by Vector) direct DC charger (not the older alternating type). I probably should have gone with a more powerful one, but this one works fine overnight.

The battery I got is an Optima 'yellow top' deep cycle battery, 34/78 family. The cranking amps are pretty impressive for a deep cycle...870ca and 750cca. Should be fine for winter starts.


My concern with this set-up for the winter months is the lack of daylight. Notice a considerable draw when the lights are on. To reduce the draw, I will be switching to all LED light soon (except headlights obviously). No problems driving yesterday and today for a few hours, even had my lights on for a while. Have a voltmeter plugged into the cigarette lighter outlet to constantly monitor my voltage.

I will post my results at my next fill up

[95metro]

Thanks XFi, that's very cool. Eventually I'll look at doing something like this. Too much other stuff to work on right now (and most of it doesn't involve the car ).

[JanGeo]

In a pinch you could kick in the alternator - add a switch in the car on the dash to allow alternator charging should your battery get low or while braking - down hill etc - may as well save a little charging energy from the grid.
Yellow tops are about the best SLA batteries for what you are doing.

[zpiloto]

Originally Posted by JanGeo

In a pinch you could kick in the alternator - add a switch in the car on the dash to allow alternator charging should your battery get low or while braking - down hill etc - may as well save a little charging energy from the grid.
Yellow tops are about the best SLA batteries for what you are doing.

I agree, that's a good idea. Just a flip of a switch and you can put a charge on the battery.