X-Virus-Scanned: clean according to Sophos on Logan.com Return-Path: Received: from cdptpa-omtalb.mail.rr.com ([75.180.132.121] verified) by logan.com (CommuniGate Pro SMTP 5.2.13) with ESMTP id 3552687 for flyrotary@lancaironline.net; Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:24:46 -0400 Received-SPF: pass receiver=logan.com; client-ip=75.180.132.121; envelope-from=echristley@nc.rr.com Received: from [192.168.0.19] (really [66.57.38.121]) by cdptpa-omta01.mail.rr.com with ESMTP id <20090319162407.IKPJ28114.cdptpa-omta01.mail.rr.com@[192.168.0.19]> for ; Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:24:07 +0000 Message-ID: <49C271B3.8070404@nc.rr.com> Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:24:19 -0400 From: Ernest Christley User-Agent: Thunderbird 2.0.0.19 (X11/20090105) MIME-Version: 1.0 To: Rotary motors in aircraft Subject: Re: [FlyRotary] Re: Alternator (Off topic) References: In-Reply-To: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Bill Schertz wrote: > From a logic standpoint, if you are generating current, you are doing > work -- doing work requires the expenditure of energy. Therefore when > you put a load on the alternator, it must draw power from the engine, > and increase the fuel burn -- or decrease the amount of power > available for other purposes. > > If you want to test this, take a small electric motor (such as from a > fan) that doesn't have lots of power. hook it up to drive the > alternator with no field current, and then turn the field current on > and watch the speed change. > Bill Schertz > KIS Cruiser #4045 > N343BS Another test. Get you one of those little bicycle generators that drive a little headlight, and go for a short ride. The generator lays against the tire and is driven by it, which is driven by your legs. You'll see real quick that driving those electrons around takes real energy. -- http://www.ernest.isa-geek.org