Ok, it's late and my mind wanders at night sometimes, so bear with me. Back when the alternator location was a big topic here somebody jokingly suggested that they would mount it in the gear basket. I thought it was pretty funny at the time, but I was just checking out a solar power site and it hit me. Why not mount the alternator up there with a small propeller? You could use a deep cycle battery and just hold out for road speeds for recharging. A solar panel across the wind deflector for additional charging in heavy traffic and offroading. The only real problem I see is how stupid it would look. It just occured to me that a turbine in the exhaust flow would allow power to the alternator mounted at the top of the engine as well. I haven't seen anything lately about the Pathfinder mod that Brent was talking about so long ago. Any new development Brent?

You'd need a very large propeller, and a bunch of speed...

Actually, the ones they make for sailboats use a normal automotive alternator, a 12 inch diameter propeller and operate in 10-30mph winds. A 6-8 inch propeller should work fine at highway speeds. I have a propeller if somebody wants to donate an alternator, I could run some tests.

No update on the Pathfinder-style VG33 alternator location swap. Way too much work and cost. The accessory brackets alone would cost you a couple hundred bucks, and the work needed to get at it all would be prohibitive.
The latest idea is to see if a Hitachi sealed water-cooled alternator can be adapted to fit into the stock location. The Cadillac and BMW water-cooled alternators are not an option, can't be transplanted (and at $400 a pop or more, expensive!)

Brent

If I get my bonus this week and get my mean green altenator, I'll donate my old altenator to the research project. Just don't expect me to put it on top of my X.

Spy photo of testing latest super secret Xterra mod...........................

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