PS: so, did you try the circuit on your way to work today?
Have you figured out how much power the various systems in the Mirage draw?
I once did that for the Metro/Firefly, as a starting point for calculating how much battery capacity you would need in an alternator-off scenario.
The Metro/Firefly uses a surprisingly small amount of power to run its 1.0L 3-cyl engine (no accessories) - just ~60 watts with the alternator off, and ~90 watts with the alternator charging.
FYI:
Code:
Watts ... item
1.7 key @ ACC, ECU awake
17.8 key @ RUN, fuel pump finished priming
54 parking lights, dash lights high
59 brake lights
112 headlights, dash lights high
120 headlights high beam, dash lights high
36 key @ RUN (fuel pump running - priming)
6 radio low vol
18 radio high vol
96 radiator fan high
30 heater fan low speed (1)
49 heater fan 2
66 heater fan 3
81 heater fan high (4)
58 rear defrost
5 interior light
36 wipers low
53 wipers high
66 cigarette lighter
78 hazard lights (est)
42 horn (est.)
39 reverse lights
60 engine idling @ 880 RPM (alternator disconnected)
62 engine running @ 2500 RPM (no alt)
92 engine idling @ 880 RPM, alternator on (field current is high, topping up battery)
89 engine running @ 2500 RPM, alternator on - lower field current as battery voltage came up
Full thread: Tested: power draw of Geo Metro accessories & systems (volts, current/amps, watts)