Hmmm... I agree that there's obviously a HP draw to run the alternator (as opposed to not running one at all) but I don't really know if it's more or less HP just cause you're running more accessories. I mean, I'm not saying anyone is wrong or right -- more trying to clarify the answer a little more. I've removed/repaired/rebuilt/replaced quite a few alternators -- what, inside there, will actually tell the alternator, "Hey buddy, run a little faster, produce more power, will ya?" To me (without an overwhelming amount of electrical knowledge, mind you) it would seem that the alternator would simply spin, producing whatever power it was capable of producing at the given RPM, and not just ramp up just because you're running more accessories. So what's the real deal here? Is there something in there that says, "Hey, Billy just cranked up his amp and started blasting the tunes, we need to do something about that before his car won't start after the car show..."

Again, just asking <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />, not TELLING. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

-Chris