Technical idles better without the alternator

[arc]

something i noticed yesterday, shredded the alternator belt when i was playing in the snow, driving it home quickly before i ran out of electricity i noticed that the car idles perfectly.

it sits at 20inhg in the vacuum gauge, the needle is constant, the revs are bob on, and the car doesnt shudder at all.

normally it can wobble around a bit at idle, sitting at about 17/18 on the vacuum gauge with the needle twitching and the engine shudders occasionally.

is this just because of the extra load from the alternator.. or you reckon the alternator might not be well - because tbh, at idle it can't be taking that much power from the alternator. surely?

 

[philbo]

strange. i suppose if the battery isnt at its best itll be a constant load of the alt as it tries to charge it. it could be the alt's bearings too.

 

[arc]

i have a feeling its the battery, it doesnt like to hold charge long in the cold weather - but i had it tested not so long ago and it checked out fine. weird

 

[custard]

have you put led's on the alternator?
seriously does the alrernator turn freely? does make me wonder if as said the alternator is having to give out some juice at idle

 

[arc]

spins freely, but least of my problems with the bloody thing now.. new thread soon

 

[Liam]

You obviously have all your electrical toys turned off when doing this Mark?

Liam

 

[arc]

when testing the idle, yeah

 

[jamie86]

Dunno if this helps but under 1,200RPM the Alternator doesn't do anything everything is running from battery...

(Disclaimer This is what I was told)

 

[arc]

someone needs to tell my alternator that then.. cos def difference between it at idle and it not being there at idle!