Go for it.
Document your fuel mileage really carefully first, then do the changes, then
check again and let us know what improvement you get.

It is standard on many modern Honda's and I imagine many other modern cars
that the alternator only charges when it needs to, as controlled by the
engine's ECU> 

I'll bet this fuel saving tip isn't on that list :
In any car with an automatic trans, the instant it's where I want it I shut
off the engine, 'then' I put the shifter in Park.  Stopping, and first
putting it in Park, which makes it rev up.......then shutting it off just
wastes fuel. 

On a manual, if just sliding straight into a parking spot, I shut it off at
least 30 feet before I get there and coast in. 
scott 

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Ken Lewis
Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2008 6:31 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Was: Electric Vanagon? Now really useful tips..

Here is a site with some gas saving tips:
http://forum.ecomodder.com/showthread.php?t=44

Section 4; item #8 caught my eye. ;"Take off the alternator belt".
   Instead of something that drastic I was thinkng of adding a circuit loop
to disable/enable the alternator on my daily driver . Some sites claim 5 to
10% fuel savings.
Spit-balling:
The alternator would only be loaded during:
1> braking
2>battery voltage below 11(?) volts
3>button on shifter activation for downshifting
4>?

Otherwise the ignition system would run on the spare battery . Solar panels
could charge it during the day between commutes. All parts I have laying
around the garage. Hmmmm....

Ken Lewis
http://neksiwel.20m.com/