I have this crazy idea for a cheap solution to compensate for a voltage problem. Since I, like many others that may read this thread, have been making ongoing modifications to my ride, some of these modifications require greater than normal current draw from the battery. For instance, electric fuel pump, high power ignition, and the biggest culprit, in my case, electric radiator fans.

I have recently installed in the past couple months Derale dual electric fans. And boy do they work great for keeping the radiator cool. I have them set up so that one kicks on at about 150 - 160 degrees F and the other kicks on somewhere around 190F. The second fan also kicks on whenever I run the A/C. Biggest reason for making the switch to electric fans was because the engine used to over heat whenever I ran the A/C and I was sitting at a traffic light. Not cool in a 90+ climate (pun intended).

Anyway back to the issue. Now that I have these nifty electric fans, that pull 2000cfm each through the radiator, they draw about 20 - 25amps each. When sitting at the traffic light, this makes my voltage drop to 11.5V with one fan running and almost down to 11V with both running. Then you add headlights, etc. Keep in mind I have an 180amp alternator so charging the system is not a problem. Once I get going, voltage pops right back up to 14.4+ almost immediately. The reason this is a problem is because the low voltage adversely affects the ignition system. There is a little stutter until the voltage gets back above 13V.

Now for my crazy idea/solution. Of course the correct way to remedy the situation would be to drop about $450 and buy a Jacobs Accuvolt to maintain a constant system voltage. Now, I like to tinker and I don't want to spend $450 on this electronic gizmo, as cool as it may be, so this is what I came up with... I am going to take my old alternator (it's 80amp) and I am going to run it off of an electric motor, the same motor that comes with the Moroso or Mr. Gasket electric water pump conversion. I am going to wire it to a relay so that when the ignition key turns on, the motor is activated along with the alternator and this will give me just the little bump I need to keep the system around 14V when I am stopped, in gear, with all fans and headlights, everything running. Of course I will have to fabricate a little mount for the motor and the alternator, and permanently attach it to the vehicle somehow... but that's part of the fun.

Anyway, let me know what you think of my crazy idea.