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 > > > > > >
