Can I use a GENERATOR to power an Electric car directly?

[dcb]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

...So basically if he takes the time to find the right components and the right loads to operate them at and keep them held to those standards (management) he should be able to due quite a bit better than your diagram would expect...

But what are the odds on that IF statement? I've been bringing this up repeatedly and nobody who is excited to jump into something like this has really shown detailed efficiency graphs of the components involved, just parroting random claims of 45mpg, etc. Not all the figures are worst case, and the batteries will be needed for decent acceleration and so you can have temporary high speed operation.

So if anyone wants to sort out the details with realistic numbers, by all means, please do. If you are hoping to chance on a winner, without doing the figguring first, good luck. I expect budget and availability will be the predominant factors in component selection (which is perfectly fine, but you still want to still do the figguring before you buy stuff if you are trying to save money)

[Nerys]

I just keep hoping someone else will do it confirm its FEASIBLE and for "roughly" how much so I can decide if its worth the massive RISK to me to try it.

I am ESPECIALLY interesting in the original opel car guys $25 speed control. I would really like info on that since its one of the most expensive components in such a project.

I already have plenty of batteries already have plenty of mower motors small and large.

I don't have the electric motor and I can't afford the controller.

[dcb]

http://evalbum.com/build#mowerpower
"...most attempts to extend the range of an elecctric vehicle this way creates something that actually causes more air pollution than a conventional car and gets poorer fuel economy....

A number of folks have put together range extending trailers using small car engines to drive large generators. In most cases these seem to work quite well, but the fuel economy is not dramatically better than a conventional gas car..."


If budget is a concern, hypermiling is your best friend.

[Nerys]

hypermiling won't help with the minivan sadly. even on E0 the best I could get was 30mpg and that was excruciatingly careful driving. with E10 I can't even get past 21mpg which is why I had to stop driving it. really sucks because I LOVE that van. SOOOO comfortable.

[dcb]

put a stick shift in it. Hopefully this won't devolve into an ethanol thread...

[cleanspeed1]

I read PA's emission testing rules, and they suck. At least here in Illinois, 95 and before is exempt. In the PA, 25 years prior to whatever year. Too bad the van is too young.

[Nerys]

if I stick a diesel in it its auto exempt from emissions (pa diesel is exempt) but I can't afford that option :-)

sadly no stick shift is going to get me 20mpg boost :-)

[dcb]

Lol, you won't settle for less than 20mpg boost, using only lawn mower engines and batteries that are in your shed, after someone else demonstrates its feasibility for you

There's nothing here guys, might be unicorn time.

[Nerys]

I think you misunderstand a great many things DCB.

anything less than 20mpg ADDITIONAL to what I get now and the project is a NON STARTER for me.

let me clarify.

Mini van 21mpg if I try hard
Geo Metro 54mpg average my last two tanks exceeded 60mpg.

I would be willing to LIVE with 40-45mpg if it meant I could drive the minivan.

If I can not get 40-45mpg the project is an AUTO DEAD ON ARRIVAL non starter. I keep driving the geo metro.

is that clear enough for you?

Project. Efficient Minivan. GOALS of project. 40-45mpg with said minivan.

unless your manual trans can get me 30mpg its a no go unless you mean to combine it with something else (hopefully not unicorns)

is that more clear dcb?

NO I will NOT settle for less than 20mpg boost over what I get now because in that case I just SCRUB said project and keep driving the metro.

maybe unlike you I don't have the finances to just start TRYING things to see what happens.

I am financially restricted in that manner so I have to wait till SOMEONE ELSE tries something first because I ONLY GET ONE SHOT AT IT. if I fail the work and money are gone and I don't get a second shot.

hey if you want to bankroll the project I will try ANYTHING YOU DREAM UP.

till then I have to wait. I figured if this was done in the freaking 70's SOMEONE had to have actually tried it besides the article author.

[dcb]

Like I said, if the goal is to get you and your van a proven 20mpg boost with minimal expense to you (regardless of everyone elses time and expense), so it can compete with your metro, it is time for the corral. I understand perfectly

It wouldn't surprise me if someone could hypermile a stick shift caravan to 40mpg city, but I don't expect to convince you of that.