Another consideration is efficiency. A 1 volt drop at 90 amps = 90 watts
of power. At full load, ~8% of the alternator capacity will be used to
heat the diode block. The increased load on the alternator will also
reduce it's efficiency and increase it's heat load.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Steven Denis
Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2001 7:12 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Battery isolator

In a message dated 12/11/01 6:56:02 PM Eastern Standard Time,
dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET writes:

<< The alternator can be modified to overcome
 this. I feel it is not worth the effort >>
 there is an adjustable voltage regulator for the BOSCH unit that will
allow
you to "make up for" the loss..Yes, the alternator works harder and
hotter
but if you don't OVER do it, I can't see where it would DRASTICALLY
reduce
the alternator life

steve

"Hey! nice Jeep, Mister! "
"Look kid, it's NOTAJEEP! "