New Efficiency Line alternators from Bosch
Bosch recently started production of a new, enhanced-efficiency alternator series. An improved electrical configuration and optimised materials have enabled Bosch engineers to increase the efficiency of all variants to over 70 percent (according to VDA). The Efficiency Line (EL) alternators consequently need less mechanical power to generate the energy for the vehicle’s electrical consumption. This reduces fuel requirements – and therefore CO2 emissions, too. The new Bosch alternators have now been introduced in the MINI and also the Ford Transit.
The demand for electricity in cars has been rising constantly in recent years due to the increasing number of comfort and safety systems in vehicles. As a result, more and more attention is being devoted to the efficiency of all current consuming components and the alternator. With ultra-efficient diodes, which are available as an option, the efficiency of the new alternator can even be improved by as much as 77 percent. “In real-time driving, Bosch EL alternators can reduce fuel consumption by up to 2 percent,” says Dr. Ulrich Kirschner, president of the Bosch Starter Motors and Alternators division.
Even at engine idle – which is equal to an alternator speed of approximately 1,800 revolutions per minute – the EL alternators produce about 10 percent more power. They are therefore an ideal complement to start-stop systems, as they ensure the fastest possible battery charging. As a consequence, the Start-Stop function can be used more frequently. “Both technologies are elements of Bosch’s Efficiency Plus Solutions. Together, they enable consumption savings of up to 10 percent,” Kirschner says.
An additional analogue or digital communications interface such as LIN (Local Interconnected Network) creates the conditions for intelligent alternator regulation. This in turn allows most of the electricity to be generated in coasting mode, which in turn means a fuel saving of up to 2 percent. The EL series is available in various sizes and covers a performance range of 130 to 210 amperes (at 6,000 rpm). The alternators are therefore ideal for the reliable energy supply of the most diverse vehicle electrical systems – from passenger cars to vans. Designed for especially quiet operation, they can also be used at high ambient temperatures of up to 125 °C.
