I was stuck on the North Circular-London-for 2.5 hours the other day, I also use the Blackwall Tunnel, with all it's problems. Why oh! why do people leave the headlights, fog lights and brake lights on when stationary?
Has anyone done the math as to how much fuel is being used by 240 watts of lighting?
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I certainly haven't, wouldn't know where to start, can you enlighten me? (No pun intended...)
Edited by smokie on 03/02/2009 at 13:16
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There has to be a battery of electrical mechanics out there, who have had a light bulb moment to answer this problem.
Or an alternate way to conserve power in traffic.
We all need to lighten up with the prospect of more snow looming.
An electrifying prospect of ample time off school/work. Watt not again I hear you say.
If it occurs in the rush hour on Friday, we might all be stuck again ohmward bound. Hope a spark of genius can deal with this problem, and suggest a solution.
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They have the choice of saving fuel by switching them off or prolonging the life of the bulbs and switches by leaving them on. I would go for the latter. I'd rather get home with slightly less petrol in the tank than have to make part of the journey with an electrical failure.
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Well, 240 watts is about a 3rd of a horsepower. If the alternator is only a 50 percent efficient (say) then its costing you about 0.6 of a horse power.
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I did calculate this years ago while at school. We had to work out how much extra fuel 2 x 55w bulbs used on a fleet of trucks. I remember it was minimal in the grand scheme of things.
IIRC it involved calculating the joules per litre in diesel.
The amount of fuel used in a day.
The efficiency of the engine.
The efficiency of the alternator.
Of course too many variables to be accurate on anything other than a stationary engine dedicated to the purpose but it gave an idea 'in the order of'.
Edited by Hamsafar on 04/02/2009 at 09:49
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We had to work out how much extra fuel 2 x 55w bulbs used on a fleet of trucks
The 24v H4 bulbs in my truck are 75W / 70W...
- - - - -
I'd rather get home with slightly less petrol in the tank
I sat on the dual carriageway A50 just outside Leicester watching lorries slide about on the snow for 2 hours on Thursday morning in my £200 '97 Escort, with dipped headlights, front foglights, rear windscreen heater, front windscreen heater, heater blower fan, front wipers, rear intermittent wiper and stereo all on, and drivers window being opened then closed for nicotine replenishment purposes every 15 minutes. No funny noises, no burning smells, in fact no problems at all. Every time I was at a standstill for more than a couple of minutes I switched off the fogs and dips, but the demisting/deicing needs meant everything else had to stay on. Brake lights? I don't think I touched the middle pedal once on the entire journey. ;-)
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>> I sat on the dual carriageway A50 just outside Leicester watching lorries slide about on....
drivers window being opened then closed for nicotine replenishment purposes every 15 minutes.
Yuk! How disgusting. No wonder you're driving a £200 car!!!
...Some people drive £200 cars by choice. Not all people have your good fortune or wisdom, oldgit. But, if they feel they really HAVE to, most can express their intolerances in a less confrontational way. Please try harder in future. I, for one, am getting really fed up with the persistent sniping on these forums. Seems no-one can do or think anything without having someone else tut tutting. smokie
Edited by smokie on 08/02/2009 at 17:25
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