Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > DIY / How-to
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 12-01-2018, 06:51 AM   #1 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
teoman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Istanbul
Posts: 1,245

A3 - '12 Audi A3
Thanks: 65
Thanked 225 Times in 186 Posts
The Wind Turbine Idea

Reading other threads the wind turbine idea often comes up. And the aerodynamic drag will not compensate for the savings in electrical load and therefore FE.

BUT, most cars already have a wind turbine in front of them. The radiator fan if electric is also an electrical generator, as all motors are (just the efficiency changes).

So if one were to want to try the wind turbine in front of the car idea, you already got one in front of your car

A little bit of ducting to get more air through it would be helpful.

Unfortunately I do not have the time to try this idea out at the moment, but when time permits I will try to give it a shot.

Some one with a volt and amp meter that has the cables easilly accessible might give it a go.

Going completely alternatorless might become feasible for very low power consumption cars. And the electrical signal to trigger the fan could go to a double throw relay to put the fan back in to fan mode from generator mode.

  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 12-01-2018, 11:01 AM   #2 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 678
Thanks: 20
Thanked 146 Times in 130 Posts
I read somewhere that some ships have a free wheeling fan at the front of their conning tower which deflects the wind sideways, and allows men to stand behind it, with no wind. I have considered a track, similar to those on a tank, which would roll counter to the direction of travel, cover the upper part of the car, and sides, and roll at the speed of the car, so that the air the car passes through doesn't see a moving body, but only a track which moves with the wind at the same speed. I wish I could draw an animation.
  Reply With Quote
Old 12-01-2018, 11:47 AM   #3 (permalink)
Corporate imperialist
 
oil pan 4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NewMexico (USA)
Posts: 11,175

Sub - '84 Chevy Diesel Suburban C10
SUV
90 day: 19.5 mpg (US)

camaro - '85 Chevy Camaro Z28

Riot - '03 Kia Rio POS
Team Hyundai
90 day: 30.21 mpg (US)

Bug - '01 VW Beetle GLSturbo
90 day: 26.43 mpg (US)

Sub2500 - '86 GMC Suburban C2500
90 day: 11.95 mpg (US)

Snow flake - '11 Nissan Leaf SL
SUV
90 day: 141.63 mpg (US)
Thanks: 269
Thanked 3,522 Times in 2,796 Posts
It will be a huge aero penalty that will more than replace any savings from going alternator less.
__________________
1984 chevy suburban, custom made 6.5L diesel turbocharged with a Garrett T76 and Holset HE351VE, 22:1 compression 13psi of intercooled boost.
1989 firebird mostly stock. Aside from the 6-speed manual trans, corvette gen 5 front brakes, 1LE drive shaft, 4th Gen disc brake fbody rear end.
2011 leaf SL, white, portable 240v CHAdeMO, trailer hitch, new batt as of 2014.
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to oil pan 4 For This Useful Post:
Xist (12-08-2018)
Old 12-01-2018, 12:03 PM   #4 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
teoman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Istanbul
Posts: 1,245

A3 - '12 Audi A3
Thanks: 65
Thanked 225 Times in 186 Posts
I am not suggesting it is a bright idea. Just pointing out that it is there and can be tested by those that believe it is a good idea.

I am personally curious how many watts can be extracted from the fan. And if it is such a huge aerodrag then it can be used as an aerobrake on demand.
  Reply With Quote
Old 12-01-2018, 02:13 PM   #5 (permalink)
Somewhat crazed
 
Piotrsko's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: 1826 miles WSW of Normal
Posts: 4,043
Thanks: 462
Thanked 1,104 Times in 974 Posts
Watts out as a generator roughly equal to watts consumed as motor
__________________
casual notes from the underground:There are some "experts" out there that in reality don't have a clue as to what they are doing.
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Piotrsko For This Useful Post:
Xist (12-08-2018)
Old 12-01-2018, 02:20 PM   #6 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
freebeard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: northwest of normal
Posts: 27,562
Thanks: 7,738
Thanked 8,554 Times in 7,041 Posts
Think about the relationship between air pressure and air velocity.

You might get regen out of an electric prop plane.
__________________
.
.
Without freedom of speech we wouldn't know who all the idiots are. -- anonymous poster

____________________
  Reply With Quote
Old 12-01-2018, 04:12 PM   #7 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Earth
Posts: 5,209
Thanks: 225
Thanked 811 Times in 594 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by oil pan 4 View Post
It will be a huge aero penalty that will more than replace any savings from going alternator less.
I don't think there'd be that much of an aero penalty, as that's already exacted by air flowing through the radiator. My guess is that it'd be the other way around: flowing through the radiator has slowed the air enough that you'd be hard-pressed to get useful energy from it.
  Reply With Quote
Old 12-02-2018, 10:41 AM   #8 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Stubby79's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Victoria, BC
Posts: 1,747

Firefly EV - '98 Pontiac Firefly EV
90 day: 107.65 mpg (US)

Little Boy Blue - '05 Toyota Echo
90 day: 33.35 mpg (US)

BlueZ - '19 Nissan 370Z Sport
90 day: 17.19 mpg (US)
Thanks: 75
Thanked 576 Times in 426 Posts
Two immediate issues that I can see...

If it's a series-wound motor, you're going to have a hard time getting anything out of it...

and...

If it's a permanent magnet motor, you'll not be able to get enough air flow to make it spin fast enough for it to put out the 12v+ you're looking for. Unless you like driving stupid fast.
  Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2018, 12:09 PM   #9 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Ecky's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 5,005

ND Miata - '15 Mazda MX-5 Special Package
90 day: 42.54 mpg (US)
Thanks: 2,866
Thanked 2,501 Times in 1,547 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesqf View Post
I don't think there'd be that much of an aero penalty, as that's already exacted by air flowing through the radiator. My guess is that it'd be the other way around: flowing through the radiator has slowed the air enough that you'd be hard-pressed to get useful energy from it.
Point. But if you *can* get useful energy from it, you're going to be slowing air going through the radiator further, increasing drag. I could certainly see it being used as a "regenerative aerobrake" though.
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Ecky For This Useful Post:
Xist (12-08-2018)
Old 12-06-2018, 03:28 PM   #10 (permalink)
Moderator
 
Vman455's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Urbana, IL
Posts: 1,935

Pope Pious the Prius - '13 Toyota Prius Two
Team Toyota
SUV
90 day: 51.62 mpg (US)

Tycho the Truck - '91 Toyota Pickup DLX 4WD
90 day: 22.22 mpg (US)
Thanks: 198
Thanked 1,797 Times in 937 Posts
Before you all get too far down this rabbit hole, does anyone have evidence that a clutched or electric radiator fan spins of its own accord when the car is in motion? Because if not....

__________________
UIUC Aerospace Engineering
www.amateuraerodynamics.com
  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread


Thread Tools




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com