IML: horsepower to drive an alternator

["mike sutton" <mikanlin62@xxxxxxxxxx>]

There is no way that an alternator is going to require 10, let alone  40 hp, 
to operate.  One of the ways Horsepower is measured in Watts, where 750 
watts equal  1 hp.   Watts are also expressed electrically as amps 
multiplied by volts.  Now for some simple math, lets presume a 100 Amp 
alternator at max output, and a 14.5 volt charging voltage.  100 amps 
multiplied by 14.5 volts should equal 1450 , and 1450 watts is almost 1500, 
and 1500 is 2 horsepower.   So from that example it can be seen that a lower 
amperage  output alternator is going to have a correspondingly lower total 
wattage output and if thats the case, a lower power requirement to drive the 
unit.

Not to flame anyone here or cause a big commotion, but many people on the 
IML take the various facts, figures and technical subjects as completely 
authoritative and thats not always the case.

Mikey
62 Crown Coupe 




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