i'm not too clued up on the electrical side of things, but my justification is this:
the alternator absolutely has to be there, so that you can make it to work int he mornings, and so that you dont have to stop at a garage to fill up with fuel, check water and oil, and change your battery!
there are differences between the viscous and the alternator. the alte has bearings installed on its main shaft, making it run very smoothly and with little resistance. its also not controlled by some clutch mechanism. when the engine is running then its running.
the viscous fan is big and bulky, and offers a helluva lot of air resistance. it hangs off the end of the water pump and is not supported by anything, except 4 m10(???) bolts. just look what happened to phinx's waterpump!
my engine has been balanced, my viscous fan not. it strains too much, sounds like a 4x4, and is most annoying!!!
i dont care if i'm straining my altenator, i hate(strongly dislike!!!) viscous fans!!!