Calculating Cooling & Alternator Losses for Engines

AI Thread Summary
Cooling and alternator losses in engines can be approximated as a percentage of the engine's total power output, although this is a simplification. These losses are typically constant in theoretical calculations, despite real-world variations. The discussion emphasizes that power losses primarily include friction, but cooling and alternator effects should not be ignored entirely. Further research is encouraged to refine these estimates and improve accuracy. Understanding these losses is essential for optimizing engine performance.
dean barry
Messages
311
Reaction score
23
When dealing with power losses from engine to drive wheel(s) i ignored losses other than straight friction, can cooling and alternator losses be taken as roughly a percentage of the cars engine power ?
Thanks
Dean
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Thanks for the post! Sorry you aren't generating responses at the moment. Do you have any further information, come to any new conclusions or is it possible to reword the post?
 
No problem, will research further on the net, thanks though.
Dean
 
Hi Dean,

Power losses are energy losses in time. If you assume a constant power of the engine, and also assume a constant cooling and alternator consumption (not constant in reality), then "roughly" those will be a percentage of your engine power.
 
Thanks for your input.
Dean
 

Thread 'Race car suspension Class'

Posted June 2024 - 15 years after starting this class. I have learned a whole lot. To get to the short course on making your stock car, late model, hobby stock E-mod handle, look at the index below. Read all posts on Roll Center, Jacking effect and Why does car drive straight to the wall when I gas it? Also read You really have two race cars. This will cover 90% of problems you have. Simply put, the car pushes going in and is loose coming out. You do not have enuff downforce on the right...
View full post »

Thread 'Cantilever help'

I'm trying to decide what size and type of galvanized steel I need for 2 cantilever extensions. The cantilever is 5 ft. The space between the two cantilever arms is a 17 ft Gap the center 7 ft of the 17 ft Gap we'll need to Bear approximately 17,000 lb spread evenly from the front of the cantilever to the back of the cantilever over 5 ft. I will put support beams across these cantilever arms to support the load evenly
View full post »
Thread 'What's the most likely cause for this carbon seal crack?'

Thread 'What's the most likely cause for this carbon seal crack?'

We have a molded carbon graphite seal that is used in an inline axial piston, variable displacement hydraulic pump. One of our customers reported that, when using the “A” parts in the past, they only needed to replace them due to normal wear. However, after switching to our parts, the replacement cycle seems to be much shorter due to “broken” or “cracked” failures. This issue was identified after hydraulic fluid leakage was observed. According to their records, the same problem has occurred...
View full post »

Similar threads

Automotive Car/truck cooling vs. engine power value chart/table?
Replies
26
Views
2K
Calculating the force of an average car
Replies
18
Views
6K
Pneumatic Air Tools - Hose / Compressor Friction Loss?
Replies
3
Views
496
How to design hydraulic system and size cooler
Replies
6
Views
2K
Why Did the Temperature Rise in a Sealed Automotive Cooling System?
Replies
18
Views
2K
What is the Cooling Time for Steel Tubes with Ambient Nitrogen Gas Flow?
Replies
7
Views
3K
Cooling load calculations for hotel rooms
Replies
3
Views
2K
Cooling a marine engine while testing
Replies
6
Views
2K
How does a 4-piston, 4 stroke internal combustion engine work?
Replies
11
Views
4K
How to calculate water pressure drop in cooling tower piping system?
Replies
1
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top