Gensets are quite large that produce 120/240. About all that could be installed on a motorcycle feasibly would be a 120V genset. Also the wattage is only rated at about 1000watts. So converting from that to a charger only adds waste and weight.
Here's a great article about how to tweak an alternator by bypassing the regulator and playing with RPM to adjust voltage output. http://www.scribd.com/doc/487913/Alternator-Secrets?ga_related_doc=1 I do have a idea of how to assemble a smart setup. I'd install a small gas engine to turn a high output alt with the regulator bypassed. To control voltage, I'd use a microcontroller (basic stamp) to monitor the voltage output of the "genset" and control the engine RPM with a small RC servo. Depending on the code size. I could possibly setup the microcontroller to monitor the onboard battery levels and engage/disengage the genset as needed. (With an electric start engine. I've seen several on ebay.) I've got the bike, I've got a few alternators I could play with. I've even got a test lawnmower engine I could develop the control module with. On Tue, Apr 1, 2008 at 4:39 PM, Jeffrey Blamey <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > If it is a normal AC genset you have the AC (120/240) to DC conversion > losses through your charger. Ideally if you find a DC genset that can > output near 85VDC, or modify a genset to output directly to 85VDC you > can minimize your losses. > > Jeff > > On Tue, Apr 1, 2008 at 12:37 PM, john fisher <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > so Jeff, > > > > using a standard genset in a series hybrid means conversions DC - AC - > DC and you say "significant" losses. > > So that leads to some sort of custom voltage regulator off a DC > generator which then dumps straight into the batts? > > I wonder what the DC output of a standard genset is? If its in the > voltage range, like 85V, you could bypass the AC circuit. > > > > oh yeah *I* am assuming a pluggable series hybrid, not a straight > series hybrid. Dunno what Andrew has in mind. > > > > and yeah I have been thinking about the ICE efficiency and MC packaging > too, but thats another thread. > > > > John > > > > > > > > Jeffrey Blamey wrote: > > > > > If you are determined to go this route: The generator to battery to > > > motor controller/motor route unless the gen output is a close match > to > > > your battery pack voltage is going to suffer from the AC to DC > > > conversion losses (significant). So for a 72V battery pack the output > > > of the generator would have to be in the 85V range with regulation. > > > > > > > > > > > >
