No Belts: How Long Drive Time?

[Iain Mannix]

IMHO, you *might* make it.

I once drove a Jeep with a dead alternator for quite a while - the
alt was dying for who knows how long before I noticed the brown lights
and whatnot.  It was in the rain, too, so the wipers were going.
Got maybe 15 minutes out of it _after_ I noticed the dead alternator.

I autocross an VW Rabbit in EP - no alternator.  It runs off a
deep cycle battery(Optima), we get about 20 autocross runs out of
it on a charge.

Bear in mind that each run includes starting the car, running the fuel
pump, gauges, electric water pump, fans, and accusump valve.  20
starts, post run cooling fans, etc.  Ignition is Electromotive
HPV3B.  The car develops a miss when the battery gets too weak -
it still moves under it's own power, it just misses at high
rpm.

A local guy roadraces a GT Honda, no alternator, and his car makes
it through 20 minute sessions on a big marine battery.

I'd bet you'll make it, honestly.  I'd try, but not before lining
up the "just in case" towstrap, because you'll likely get
*most* of the way there on the battery;).



Iain(or, just cut the AC belt - makes putting the other two
on pretty trivial)


On Thu, 13 Jun 2002, Christopher Ritchie wrote:

> The alternator and power steering belts broke on the way into work this
> morning.  Interesting to drive without power assist for the brakes.  The
> steering's not too bad.  Called the local dealer with what I characterized
> as an emergency.  Well, you can bring the car in, and we'll try to get to
> it, but we're booked solid today, so we really can't promise you anything,
> and no you can't wait 'cause it'll take 3 hours.  3 hours at dealer labor
> rates to replace belts!  That's why we don't go to dealers.
>
> I have an extra set of belts in the trunk.  But I really don't feel I can
> replace these in the company parking lot.  One reason is the A/C belt is
> still there, and that needs to come off to get another one on.
>
> The battery's new.  How long do you think it'll last running the ignition
> and fuel pump only for my 25 mile run home - 20 miles Interstate, 5 miles
> residential?
>
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