The most practical application for this (120v AC generator to charger on board) is as an emergency range extender in my opinion. This will ease up the range issue with EVs some. It won't be such a pain if you run out of charge, because you can just start the generator and charge up some. This way, you won't have to worry so much about those times when you need to stretch the range.
As a parallel hybrid (using the generator regularly), this doesn't really make much sense. That's because, it'll require a very large and expensive generator to help much. And, after that expense, so much energy will be wasted by the engine generator, charger, and EV system (motor & controller), when a large enough engine could just drive the wheels directly. Just my 2 cents. Keep the generator for the emergencies, and it'll really take the headache of running out of charge away, though it won't be a good idea to plan to use regularly. Regards, Andrew in NM On Tue, Apr 1, 2008 at 2:01 PM, Andrew <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Installing a AC 120V gen to power a step down transformer is a waste. > > I know this will be ill received, but I'm not looking at emissions in > any way about this. It's strictly about saving money paid out for > gasoline. I have no problem spending a comparative amount towards > batteries and recharging. If it's less money going to big oil, all > the better. > > On Tue, Apr 1, 2008 at 12:57 PM, john fisher <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > BTW I just bought my first $4 gas for the dirt bike. > > > > anyway they say many DC motors can also be run as generators, so theres > an option. It seems to me that one problem is > > matching genset output to battery input in the most efficient way. > Since your drive system is going to be 36V minimum, > > and likely 72V or more, and since batteries are DC, you might want to > match the genset to the pack or more properly to > > the charger. OTOH I think it would be quick and easy to use an > off-the-shelf genset that produces 120V AC and dump that > > into your 120V AC charger. Of the many things I don't know is how much > energy is wasted by the conversion from AC to DC, > > and 120V to 72V. Another thing I don't know is the relative generation > efficiency comparing automotive alternators and > > off-the-shelf gensets. > > > > I have been watching for ways to clean up the genset motor, which will > be necessary if you goal is to get greener. Even > > with CARB stickers and much lower fuel use, they are quite a bit > dirtier than autos. Your interest may be strictly > > tinkering and fuel economy? Understanding that the cheapest thing for > you to do is nothing at all. ;>) just not as much > > fun as tinkering.... > > > > john > > > > Andrew wrote: > > ... But with gas > > > approaching $4 even I cringe filling up the tank. > > ... > > > > > > I was thinking along the lines of a modified alt. with the voltage > reg > > > replaced to output 60 or so volts. I know some alts can produce in > the > > > neighborhood of 100+ amps. What would be interesting is an electric > start > > > gas engine that could be cycled on and off as demand required. > > > > > > If anything, it's still something I'd like to tinker with, even if I > only > > > used it for local jaunts. > > > > > > Andrew > > > > > > > > > > > >
