Why do so many Americans hate European trucks?

So where does the efficiency come in when the alternator starts dragging the engine down to power all the electical?

 

Good question. With electric drive you can use just as much power as you need, contrary to when the engine is driving these components. The mechanical power consumption of alternator is dictated by how much power it has to deliver, and that is regulated by the alternator itself.

 

I can see that being slightly more efficient. Spin an A/C compressor at the required RPM rather than cut in/out. I just don't see an increase in reliability of an electric motor in the dust and dirt vs constant belt drive. I mean we were replacing blower fans in B cab KW's every 6 months if they didn't have the aftermarket cab filter installed. Might be ok in strictly on road applications but I don't see it being at all viable in the trucking operations I'm accustomed to.

 

If you use brushless DC motors, then they can be sealed against dust etc. With proper sealing, you can even use them under water. Your fans and their motors are just badly designed, dust should not reach the motor.

 

True, but I don't know how much. Quite a lot I suppose. But these things do have some kind of clutch don't they?

 

Yes, I know how they look. But they are not compressing air all the time.

 

What about the engine fan? Electric fans won't keep up.

 

So, you know how they look, but you ask about a clutch?

 

Depends how powerful the motor is, but it is certainly possible.