Post by thread:[EE:] Vehicular remote starting (was: [EE]: Intere

On Thu, 1 Jan 2004, Stuart Meier wrote: > > This remote-starting puzzles me.. When I start my car, I know when to > > stop turning the starter motor because of the change in sound when the > > engine is running, but how does one of these fancy alarms know? > > Engine speed? So are you limited to cars with an engine tachometer? My old diesel doesn't have one... Tim -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList .....piclist-unsubscribe-requestKILLspam@spam@mitvma.mit.edu

Tim ODriscoll wrote: > This remote-starting puzzles me.. When I start my car, I know when to > stop turning the starter motor because of the change in sound when the > engine is running, but how does one of these fancy alarms know? Engine speed maybe? This is easily measured from the tachometer pulses or spark pulses if necessary. ***************************************************************** Embed Inc, embedded system specialists in Littleton Massachusetts (978) 742-9014, http://www.embedinc.com -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList piclist-unsubscribe-requestKILLspammitvma.mit.edu

{Quote hidden}>From: Olin Lathrop <.....olin_piclistKILLspam.....EMBEDINC.COM> >Reply-To: pic microcontroller discussion list <EraseMEPICLISTspam_OUTTakeThisOuTMITVMA.MIT.EDU> >To: PICLISTspam_OUTMITVMA.MIT.EDU >Subject: Re: [EE:] Vehicular remote starting (was: [EE]: Interesting >automotive battery falure) >Date: Thu, 1 Jan 2004 09:47:25 -0500 > >Tim ODriscoll wrote: > > This remote-starting puzzles me.. When I start my car, I know when to > > stop turning the starter motor because of the change in sound when the > > engine is running, but how does one of these fancy alarms know? > >Engine speed maybe? This is easily measured from the tachometer pulses or >spark pulses if necessary. > > >***************************************************************** >Embed Inc, embedded system specialists in Littleton Massachusetts >(978) 742-9014, http://www.embedinc.com > >-- >http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList >@spam@piclist-unsubscribe-requestKILLspammitvma.mit.edu ************************************************* By monitoring the current draw on the starter...perhaps... As for vehicles equipped with a manual transmission, you would need to leave it in neutral, and use the parking brake - D. Artificial Intelligence is no match for Natural Stupidity. _________________________________________________________________ Make your home warm and cozy this winter with tips from MSN House & Home. http://special.msn.com/home/warmhome.armx -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList KILLspampiclist-unsubscribe-requestKILLspammitvma.mit.edu

> So are you limited to cars with an engine tachometer? My old diesel > doesn't have one... Nope. Most alternators have a secondary unregulated output which has a frequency proportional to engine speed. In fact I recall a lot of old cars have sufficiently poor regulation that you can filter out a signal which is dependant on engine speed from the supply itself. Stuart -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList RemoveMEpiclist-unsubscribe-requestTakeThisOuTmitvma.mit.edu

> This remote-starting puzzles me.. When I start my car, I know when to > stop turning the starter motor because of the change in sound when the > engine is running, but how does one of these fancy alarms know? My guess would be RPM, a starter motor only turns an engine at perhaps 3 or 400 RPM, a motor that's running runs roughly twice that at warm idle. A little sidenote/rant: I wish they would ban car starters. They are bad for the environment (an idling car takes much longer to warm up then a driven car, and the emission systems don't kick in until the car is warmed up to a certain point), they are horrible for your engine (it's a well known fact that warming up your car by idling is about the most destructive you can get when it comes to your engine) and are a danger (say the dog picks up the remote...). Frankly, if your car is too cold for you to drive away with you are underdressed, just imagine what would happen to you if you were unfortunate enough to drive off a ridge or something and have to survive in your car for a day before help arrived? I always dress in such a way that I could survive comfortably in the elements should something happen to my "warm" car. Personally my cars will NEVER see remote starters, and I usually drive away 30 seconds (at the most) after starting. TTYL ---------------------------------- Herbert's PIC Stuff: http://repatch.dyndns.org:8383/pic_stuff/ -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList spamBeGonepiclist-unsubscribe-requestspamBeGonemitvma.mit.edu

On Thu, 1 Jan 2004, Herbert Graf wrote: > A little sidenote/rant: I wish they would ban car starters. > > Personally my cars will NEVER see remote starters, and I usually drive away > 30 seconds (at the most) after starting. TTYL But it would be cool to have it start as you walked up to it :) Tim -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList TakeThisOuTpiclist-unsubscribe-requestEraseMEspam_OUTmitvma.mit.edu

> Frankly, if your car is too cold for you to drive away with you are > underdressed, just imagine what would happen to you if you were unfortunate > enough to drive off a ridge or something and have to survive in your car for > a day before help arrived? I always dress in such a way that I could survive > comfortably in the elements should something happen to my "warm" car. > > Personally my cars will NEVER see remote starters, and I usually drive away > 30 seconds (at the most) after starting. TTYL > Here in Michigan it is illegal to leave a running car unattended, and people are getting fined for using remote car starters, but that doesn't stop places from selling them. The problem I see with them is the idiots designing and installing them. You ever here of SKIM? Stands for Security Key Immobilized Module. Factory installed high end theft prevention on Chrysler cars, uses a coded RF tag in the head of the key. Prevents starting unless the computer can communicate with the key tag. Right about now I can here you all thinking, "how do remote starters work with that?". Simple, they cut off the head of your key and zip tie it in the steering column. Yes, the $3000 option I bought to prevent my car from being stolen is rendered useless when I install a $99 remote starter. And that's when it works right. And have you ever looked at one of their installs? It's like they can't afford wire cutters. 10 foot of slack wadded up and stuffed under the dash, all falls out on your feet about a week later. </end rant> -Denny -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList RemoveMEpiclist-unsubscribe-requestTakeThisOuTmitvma.mit.edu

Jake Anderson wrote: > i thaught the point of leaving it in gear was for when the park brake > broke or failed. Happened to me, i hadnt put it on quite hard enough > and the car rolled back over a minute or two to be caught by the > gears (big hill) and friends have had cables break when the car heat > cycled (+40 to - 10C air temp so you can imagine inside the damn > thing) Yes, but the original discussion was about an automatic starter that starts the car occasionally to make sure the battery stays charged, or a minute before you get out on a cold morning. Unless this automatic starter also knowns how to shift into neutral, a manual transmission would need to be left in neutral for it to work. Either way this sounds like a bad idea for a manual transmission car. ***************************************************************** Embed Inc, embedded system specialists in Littleton Massachusetts (978) 742-9014, http://www.embedinc.com -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList piclist-unsubscribe-requestEraseME.....mitvma.mit.edu

Shops around here will NOT install them on cars with manual transmissions. > Jake Anderson wrote: > > i thaught the point of leaving it in gear was for when the park brake > > broke or failed. Happened to me, i hadnt put it on quite hard enough > > and the car rolled back over a minute or two to be caught by the > > gears (big hill) and friends have had cables break when the car heat > > cycled (+40 to - 10C air temp so you can imagine inside the damn > > thing) > > Yes, but the original discussion was about an automatic starter that starts > the car occasionally to make sure the battery stays charged, or a minute > before you get out on a cold morning. Unless this automatic starter also > knowns how to shift into neutral, a manual transmission would need to be > left in neutral for it to work. > > Either way this sounds like a bad idea for a manual transmission car. > > -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList EraseMEpiclist-unsubscribe-requestmitvma.mit.edu

> On Thu, 1 Jan 2004, Stuart Meier wrote: > > > This remote-starting puzzles me.. When I start my car, I know when to > > > stop turning the starter motor because of the change in sound when the > > > engine is running, but how does one of these fancy alarms know? > > > > Engine speed? > > So are you limited to cars with an engine tachometer? My old diesel > doesn't have one... Pretty much. Unless you can figure out a way to get a tach signal from somewhere (say an optical sensor pointed at a crankshaft or something). TTYL -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList RemoveMEpiclist-unsubscribe-requestEraseMEEraseMEmitvma.mit.edu

Herbert Graf wrote: {Quote hidden}> A little sidenote/rant: I wish they would ban car starters. > > They are bad for the environment (an idling car takes much longer to > warm up > then a driven car, and the emission systems don't kick in until the > car is > warmed up to a certain point), they are horrible for your engine > (it's a > well known fact that warming up your car by idling is about the most > destructive you can get when it comes to your engine) and are a > danger (say > the dog picks up the remote...). > > Frankly, if your car is too cold for you to drive away with you are > underdressed, just imagine what would happen to you if you were > unfortunate > enough to drive off a ridge or something and have to survive in your > car for > a day before help arrived? I always dress in such a way that I could > survive comfortably in the elements should something happen to my > "warm" car. > > Personally my cars will NEVER see remote starters, and I usually > drive away 30 seconds (at the most) after starting. Very well put. They did manage to outlaw those "instant on" TVs from 30 years ago that kept the tube fillaments warm all the time. Maybe there is hope for remote starters too. It's an all around good idea to keep some emergency clothes and a blanket in the trunk all year around. I've always got at least a wool sweater, wind breaker, gloves, hat, and a space blanket in the trunk, more this time of year. ***************************************************************** Embed Inc, embedded system specialists in Littleton Massachusetts (978) 742-9014, http://www.embedinc.com -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList RemoveMEpiclist-unsubscribe-requestspam_OUTKILLspammitvma.mit.edu

> since you are ment to leave your car in gear (in a manual) > can you put auto's in park when the engine is running? (dont drive > autos and dont like driving them much either) > how do all these engine runny when you arent in the car type things > deal with that? I would assume users of these devices on standard transmission vehicles would have to leave their cars in neutral. TTYL ---------------------------------- Herbert's PIC Stuff: http://repatch.dyndns.org:8383/pic_stuff/ -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList RemoveMEpiclist-unsubscribe-requestTakeThisOuTspammitvma.mit.edu

> On Thu, 1 Jan 2004, Herbert Graf wrote: > > A little sidenote/rant: I wish they would ban car starters. > > > > Personally my cars will NEVER see remote starters, and I > usually drive away > > 30 seconds (at the most) after starting. TTYL > > But it would be cool to have it start as you walked up to it :) I don't know, I don't like things that are that automated, what about me walking up to the car and NOT wanting it to start? What happens when your car gets to be older and things start getting cranky? No thanks. TTYL ---------------------------------- Herbert's PIC Stuff: http://repatch.dyndns.org:8383/pic_stuff/ -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList EraseMEpiclist-unsubscribe-requestspamspamBeGonemitvma.mit.edu

{Quote hidden}> Here in Michigan it is illegal to leave a running car unattended, and > people are getting fined for using remote car starters, but that doesn't > stop places from selling them. > > The problem I see with them is the idiots designing and installing them. > > You ever here of SKIM? Stands for Security Key Immobilized Module. Factory > installed high end theft prevention on Chrysler cars, uses a coded RF tag > in the head of the key. Prevents starting unless the computer can > communicate with the key tag. > > Right about now I can here you all thinking, "how do remote starters work > with that?". Simple, they cut off the head of your key and zip tie it in > the steering column. Yes, the $3000 option I bought to prevent my car from > being stolen is rendered useless when I install a $99 remote starter. And > that's when it works right. > > And have you ever looked at one of their installs? It's like they can't > afford wire cutters. 10 foot of slack wadded up and stuffed under > the dash, > all falls out on your feet about a week later. I recently bought a new car stereo and someone asked me whether I was installing it myself or having someone install it. I can't remember the exact words I used, but it was something like: "I will never let those butchers touch my car". Many stereo/remote starter installers I have seen work have NO idea what they are doing, and it surprises me that they ever get it right. ---------------------------------- Herbert's PIC Stuff: http://repatch.dyndns.org:8383/pic_stuff/ -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList RemoveMEpiclist-unsubscribe-requestKILLspammitvma.mit.edu

Some day if you are lucky, you may get old enough feel the threat of weather extremes. I use the remote start more in the summer than in the winter. When the steering wheel is too hot to touch, it seems a good idea to cool things down a bit before I drive it. By the same token, the cell phone in my pocket provides a measure of freedom I would not otherwise have. In my more reckless youth, I was comfortable with a wool sweater down to Zero F. on a sunshiney day. Now I put on a snow suit to walk the dogs in the woods below 30 degrees F. And, I am not really that old... I think. You missed the real hazard though. There should never be an occaision where the vehical could start in a closed garage, especially an attached one. Or , during maintenance. John Ferrell 6241 Phillippi Rd Julian NC 27283 Phone: (336)685-9606 johnferrellSTOPspamspam_OUTearthlink.net http://DixieNC.US NSRCA 479 AMA 4190 W8CCW "My Competition is Not My Enemy" {Original Message removed}

The Bulldog brand that I have is simply a timed crank. My Ford van starts every time on the minimum time setting. If it misses, it is supposed to pause and then retry twice before giving up. There is an optional connection to the distributor (I think) to sense engine running condition for hard starting vehicles. I never needed to attach it . I believe there are special provisions for diesel operation. It is not supposed to be installed on manual transmissions or non-fuel injection vehicles. I normally start the van as I walk towards it in the parking lot. I feel that a few extra seconds of oil pressure before I drive away cannot hurt the engine. The only wire that was added through the firewall was for the siren. I have set the siren off enough that the dogs totally ignore it now. BTW, it is smart enough to know not to crank if it is already running. John Ferrell 6241 Phillippi Rd Julian NC 27283 Phone: (336)685-9606 spamBeGonejohnferrellSTOPspamEraseMEearthlink.net http://DixieNC.US NSRCA 479 AMA 4190 W8CCW "My Competition is Not My Enemy" {Original Message removed}

I leave the van running a lot in the summer time with the air conditioner running. That is because I rarely go anywhere without two large dogs and relying on window venilation is out of the question. Don't the K9 cops leave their dogs in their cars, locked up but running in the summer there? John Ferrell 6241 Phillippi Rd Julian NC 27283 Phone: (336)685-9606 KILLspamjohnferrellspamBeGoneearthlink.net http://DixieNC.US NSRCA 479 AMA 4190 W8CCW "My Competition is Not My Enemy" {Original Message removed}

John Ferrell wrote: > I feel that a few extra seconds of oil pressure before I > drive away cannot hurt the engine. True, but there are a lot simpler ways to get that, like start the car then put the seat belt on. Even if you just had to wait an extra 3 seconds, it hardly sounds like a problem worth a gizmo like an external starter with its various associated problems. ***************************************************************** Embed Inc, embedded system specialists in Littleton Massachusetts (978) 742-9014, http://www.embedinc.com -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList EraseMEpiclist-unsubscribe-requestEraseMEmitvma.mit.edu

John Ferrell wrote: > I leave the van running a lot in the summer time with the air > conditioner running. That is because I rarely go anywhere without two > large dogs and relying on window venilation is out of the question. And what happens to the dogs if the engine dies or runs out of gas while you're not there? ***************************************************************** Embed Inc, embedded system specialists in Littleton Massachusetts (978) 742-9014, http://www.embedinc.com -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList @spam@piclist-unsubscribe-request@spam@spam_OUTmitvma.mit.edu

Olin Lathrop wrote: > > John Ferrell wrote: > > I leave the van running a lot in the summer time with the air > > conditioner running. That is because I rarely go anywhere without two > > large dogs and relying on window venilation is out of the question. > > And what happens to the dogs if the engine dies or runs out of gas while > you're not there? They die, as happened here to two police dogs when the A/C quit while their handler was busy inside a building on a call. Heat stroke took all of 10 minutes to kill them. A local car audio company 'invented' a temperature monitor that fires off the car alarm if the cab temperature gets too high with the engine running. $150.00 IIRC. You could do the same with one of those gamer 'Volcano' CPU temperature monitor/alarms that sell for $30C at any computer store. Robert -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList spamBeGonepiclist-unsubscribe-requestKILLspammitvma.mit.edu

Now there is a good idea. I will look into it. It must really sound absurd to people who don't have animals but one of my life long dreams has been to get really close to a dog. Why two of them? Because Shadow (70 pounds of Black Lab) fell in love at first sight with Bear (110 pounds mostly yellow Lab). Fortunately, the world seems to look favorably on an old man with a couple of dogs... John Ferrell 6241 Phillippi Rd Julian NC 27283 Phone: (336)685-9606 TakeThisOuTjohnferrell.....TakeThisOuTearthlink.net http://DixieNC.US NSRCA 479 AMA 4190 W8CCW "My Competition is Not My Enemy" {Original Message removed}

Last year I had an XM radio installed in my Bronco and a Meyer snow blade installed the same week. I noticed the 4WD light was always lit and I couldn't get it in and out of 4WD. I took it back to Circuit City blaming them for messing up something in my dash. They checked everything out and found no problem. A week later I decided to dig into the problem myself. I found that when the snow blade installer mounted the control joystick on the dash, they used two self threading screws that were three inches long and drilled right into the auto wiring harness. A good thing it didn't do any real damage. Rick Herbert Graf wrote: > > > > The problem I see with them is the idiots designing and installing them. > > > > I recently bought a new car stereo and someone asked me whether I was > installing it myself or having someone install it. I can't remember the > exact words I used, but it was something like: "I will never let those > butchers touch my car". Many stereo/remote starter installers I have seen > work have NO idea what they are doing, and it surprises me that they ever > get it right. -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList TakeThisOuTpiclist-unsubscribe-requestKILLspamspammitvma.mit.edu

From the alternator/charging system. Look at that ALT/CHG dashboard light -- one side is connected to +12V, and the other to the alternator output. As soon as the alternator starts putting out enough voltage (the engine is running), then both sides of the alternator has ~ 12V, and the light goes out. If you've ever had an engine stall, you'll probably have noticed the ALT/CHG light come on before you even realized that the engine stopped. Cheers, -Neil. On Thursday 01 January 2004 05:35 am, Tim ODriscoll scribbled: > This remote-starting puzzles me.. When I start my car, I know when to > stop turning the starter motor because of the change in sound when the > engine is running, but how does one of these fancy alarms know? > > Cheers, > > Tim -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList .....piclist-unsubscribe-requestRemoveMEmitvma.mit.edu

On Thursday 01 January 2004 12:43 pm, Olin Lathrop scribbled: > > Yes, but the original discussion was about an automatic starter that starts > the car occasionally to make sure the battery stays charged, ... I really doubt you'll get the battery to charge at idle RPM. Is this device going to rev the engine up to a few thousand RPM and hold it there? > ... or a minute > before you get out on a cold morning. Unless this automatic starter also > knowns how to shift into neutral, a manual transmission would need to be > left in neutral for it to work. > > Either way this sounds like a bad idea for a manual transmission car. > I second that ... bad, bad idea. Cheers, -Neil. -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList RemoveMEpiclist-unsubscribe-requestspamBeGonemitvma.mit.edu

At 09:25 PM 1/1/2004 -0600, Picdude wrote: >From the alternator/charging system. Look at that ALT/CHG dashboard light -- >one side is connected to +12V, and the other to the alternator output. As >soon as the alternator starts putting out enough voltage (the engine is >running), then both sides of the alternator has ~ 12V, and the light goes >out. If you've ever had an engine stall, you'll probably have noticed the >ALT/CHG light come on before you even realized that the engine stopped. That dosen't make any sense. +12V IS the alternator output. I've seen them driven from the voltage regulator, when there's an external reg. -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList spamBeGonepiclist-unsubscribe-request@spam@spam_OUTmitvma.mit.edu

At 09:29 PM 1/1/2004 -0600, Picdude wrote: >On Thursday 01 January 2004 12:43 pm, Olin Lathrop scribbled: >> >> Yes, but the original discussion was about an automatic starter that starts >> the car occasionally to make sure the battery stays charged, ... > >I really doubt you'll get the battery to charge at idle RPM. Is this device >going to rev the engine up to a few thousand RPM and hold it there? Modern alternator vehicles do. Very definitely. -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList TakeThisOuTpiclist-unsubscribe-requestspammitvma.mit.edu

Hi all, the 3 phase output windings of an alternator are separated from the battery via a diode bridge ( 3 phase rectification). A half wave rectified output is supplied as well for the regulator at the back end to indicate alternator activity. To supply some of the current drive requirements of the regulator during alternator start up, there is a charge lamp which is connected to the positive of the battery and also to this "monitoring" junction so that it can serve 2 purposes: 1) indicate charge failure, say when the armature is open circuit and there is no charge voltage coming out of the alternator or many others which i'm sure you'll find out about pretty soon, once its come on ;) 2) the lamp supplies the alternator charge circuitry with "standby" current so that it can excite the armatures magnetic field so that once the engine turns, it can start generating current (its a current device, the voltage is a result of the current flowing). once the alternator is turning, it pretty much self-powers its regulator and provides output. Very nice toy indeed :) On Friday 02 January 2004 06:06, you wrote: {Quote hidden}> At 09:25 PM 1/1/2004 -0600, Picdude wrote: > > From the alternator/charging system. Look at that ALT/CHG dashboard light > -- > > >one side is connected to +12V, and the other to the alternator output. As > >soon as the alternator starts putting out enough voltage (the engine is > >running), then both sides of the alternator has ~ 12V, and the light goes > >out. If you've ever had an engine stall, you'll probably have noticed the > >ALT/CHG light come on before you even realized that the engine stopped. > > That dosen't make any sense. > +12V IS the alternator output. > > I've seen them driven from the voltage regulator, when there's an external > reg. > > -- > http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList > piclist-unsubscribe-requestEraseMEmitvma.mit.edu -- http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: [PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads

I have a 95 VW Jetta, 1.8. Its alternator is a bosch with 95A output capability and quite hapily has output of 14.2V at idle ( roughly 850 rpm ) This has been used previously to jumpstart a car without having to rev at all. All you hear is the engine compensator cut in to keep the car idling. I do recall the older ( 70's etc) VW's having a generator ( DC device) which needed to be revved to keep output high and would have the charge light coming on at idle. On Friday 02 January 2004 06:06, you wrote: {Quote hidden}> At 09:29 PM 1/1/2004 -0600, Picdude wrote: > >On Thursday 01 January 2004 12:43 pm, Olin Lathrop scribbled: > >> Yes, but the original discussion was about an automatic starter that > >> starts the car occasionally to make sure the battery stays charged, ... > > > >I really doubt you'll get the battery to charge at idle RPM. Is this > > device going to rev the engine up to a few thousand RPM and hold it > > there? > > Modern alternator vehicles do. Very definitely. > > -- > http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList > RemoveMEpiclist-unsubscribe-requestEraseMEspam_OUTmitvma.mit.edu -- http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: [PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads

With few exceptions modern car alternators have either 6 or 9 diodes connected to thier output windings The 9 type most certainly do use the three extra smaller diodes (half wave) to power the regulator It is also connected to the charging lamp on the dash, this lamp also suplies the initial voltage to excite the Alternator before the 3 diodes take over. So you must look harder {Original Message removed}

dont be so argumentative, take the information for what it is. Its internal J On Friday 02 January 2004 18:22, you wrote: {Quote hidden}> > A half wave rectified output is > >supplied as well for the regulator at the back end to indicate alternator > >activity. > > I've never seen this in an automotive alternator. > > Field, and output is the most I've seen, on cars from the 70's to today. > > -- > http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: > [PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The list server can filter out subtopics (like ads or off topics) for you. See http://www.piclist.com/#topics

>>I really doubt you'll get the battery to charge at idle RPM. >>Is this device going to rev the engine up to a few thousand >>RPM and hold it there? > >Modern alternator vehicles do. Very definitely. Well motor vehicle alternators always have done this, not just modern ones. This was always touted as an advantage of the alternator over the generator when alternators first became readily available for motor vehicles. This is on top of the other low maintenance advantages of course. -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList @spam@piclist-unsubscribe-requestRemoveMEEraseMEmitvma.mit.edu