does running heat =power loss ?
02-04-2008, 02:02 PM
#1
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SC
Posts: 665
does running heat =power loss ?
just curious do you lose horse power or torque if you put the heat on like when you use a/c?
is the anti-freeze always running through the heater core or only when you turn the heat on ?
and if there is a power loss, is it because the anti-freeze only runs through the heater core when you put the heat on so the engine is working harder to push it through that extra space ?
while im at it what about the a/c .. isnt the belt constantly turning the compressor anyway .. why the loss when you turn it on ?
is the anti-freeze always running through the heater core or only when you turn the heat on ?
and if there is a power loss, is it because the anti-freeze only runs through the heater core when you put the heat on so the engine is working harder to push it through that extra space ?
while im at it what about the a/c .. isnt the belt constantly turning the compressor anyway .. why the loss when you turn it on ?
02-04-2008, 02:09 PM
#3
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DTLA, CA
Posts: 4,897
RE: does running heat =power loss ?
You would not see any power loss from running the heater. Infact you could see gainswhen running the heater when the car is running hot, the heatercools the coolant down which would cool the motor down and a cooler motor makes more power. But that would only be if the car is running at escalated temps. Also the A/C compressor has a clutch (like many radiator fans) on it so when the A/C is disabled you are just spinning the pulley but when you turn the A/C on you will here a "click" and thats the clutch engaging and now the vehicle is powering the compressor.
02-04-2008, 02:14 PM
#5
Join Date: Feb 2008
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Posts: 22
RE: does running heat =power loss ?
Running the heat is only a power loss when on defrost- it engages the a/c clutch. the a/c is a power loss in it's own right, because engaged or not it takes power to turn the compressor. Just like the blower motor is a pull on the alternator= power loss. No big deal in a street car, not enough to matter anyway.
02-04-2008, 02:32 PM
#6
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DTLA, CA
Posts: 4,897
RE: does running heat =power loss ?
ORIGINAL: mock1_99
Running the heat is only a power loss when on defrost- it engages the a/c clutch. the a/c is a power loss in it's own right, because engaged or not it takes power to turn the compressor. Just like the blower motor is a pull on the alternator= power loss. No big deal in a street car, not enough to matter anyway.
Running the heat is only a power loss when on defrost- it engages the a/c clutch. the a/c is a power loss in it's own right, because engaged or not it takes power to turn the compressor. Just like the blower motor is a pull on the alternator= power loss. No big deal in a street car, not enough to matter anyway.
Did you not read the two posts above? A/C has a clutch that engages the compressor.
02-04-2008, 06:44 PM
#9
D.R. THE PATHETIC DORK
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 30,863
RE: does running heat =power loss ?
ORIGINAL: mock1_99
Running the heat is only a power loss when on defrost- it engages the a/c clutch. the a/c is a power loss in it's own right, because engaged or not it takes power to turn the compressor. Just like the blower motor is a pull on the alternator= power loss. No big deal in a street car, not enough to matter anyway.
Running the heat is only a power loss when on defrost- it engages the a/c clutch. the a/c is a power loss in it's own right, because engaged or not it takes power to turn the compressor. Just like the blower motor is a pull on the alternator= power loss. No big deal in a street car, not enough to matter anyway.
........WHEN THE COMPRESSOR IS NOT ENGAUGED IT DOES NOT ROB POWER.....it rides on a bearing just as a idler pulley does = no power loss.......and having the heater/blower motor on does not draw enough current to even notice a load/strain on the engine...you'd have to have every accessory on to have any affect whatsoever