[Zeppelin]

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As the electrical load increases the mechanical load on the engine does not.
Free energy! Get as much electricity as you want from any size engine!

Take a physics class before you embarass yourself anymore.

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HSE,

Free energy? Nobody claimed that. And it is you that should take a physics class; particularly E&M and/or Machine Elements.

As the alternator spins, it converts mechanical to electrical, we all know that. But any electrical energy above and beyond what the appliances use and the battery is recharged with is wasted. The engine does not allocate less mechanical energy to be converted to electrical as it sees fit. So what the poster above was saying is that as the electrical load increases, it does not rob the engine of power, but is just being more efficient with the electrical energy generated.

You quit embarrassing YOURself.

[JAKraig]

I'm sorry, I have to continue. Either I misunderstand what you are saying or you are out in left field.

First:
There is no extra electrical energy generated above and beyond the load required by the battery and other loads. The loads determine exactly how much energy in the form of electricity is generated. Disconnect the loads and there is no energy produced! There is no Waste! Period.

Second:
As more electrical power is required by the load it most certainly produces more drag on the engine requiring more work from the engine. Just start you car let it idle and turn on you headlights on high beam and listen to the engine load up.

[hopespringseternal]

As the alternator spins, it converts mechanical to electrical, we all know that. But any electrical energy above and beyond what the appliances use and the battery is recharged with is wasted.

It doesn't generate any electrical energy above and beyond the load. On an older car without an idle speed selenoid, you can start flipping on electrical accessories and hear the load increase and idle speed decrease. As the electrical load is increased, the mechanical load increases.

If you short the alternator, you will kill the engine. But don't do that because alternators aren't rated for that much mechanical energy or electrical load.