Running alternator as a motor for redundant starter motor and EOC

[Frank Lee]

There have been combo gen/starters but no alt/starters I've ever heard of. I just don't see an alt, even if you do provide the circuitry for it to go, providing the starting/low rpm torque needed.

[ShadeTreeMech]

Here's some interesting reading for you then--adding an AC motor to the whole works.

Electric Assist Project: E-charger (2000 Subaru Outback)

[Ryland]

Originally Posted by jamesqf

There speaks someone who's obviously never owned a British sports car!

But he doesn't own a british sports car, he owns a Mazda (I think) thus his starter should not just die on a whim! if he owned a VW I would have told him to rebuild his starter every other year but as it is if he checks it over every 100,000 miles he should be fine!

Originally Posted by saand

aahh, good question
That is the easy part for me, im an elec engineer so i can make up a DC to AC device which will control the motor.
It is fairly involved and time consuming but i know that part is possible. It would be similar to the motor controllers which the electric vehicle people use

The crazy mechanical magic is the trouble for me.

But can you make one that can handle 200+ amps? when I put an amp meter on my starter it seems like it was getting close to 200 and if you need it as a back up then figure that something is going to be wrong with other parts of the car so it should be over built.

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by ShadeTreeMech

Here's some interesting reading for you then--adding an AC motor to the whole works.

Electric Assist Project: E-charger (2000 Subaru Outback)

That's not a modded alternator by any means. OK electrical isn't my area of best proficiency but I think the wires running into/outta alternators just aren't big enough for starting, and sticking fancy circuits with bigger wires on ain't gonna do much but let the magic smoke out.

Gotta say, that whole project mystifies me. I don't see how it is going to produce fuel saving results. I could see it if the car's ICE was underpowered for acceleration but sufficient for cruise... but it ain't.

[ShadeTreeMech]

There is no way in the world an AC motor the size of an alternator will turn over an engine without severly high voltage, so no, I'm not talking about his original idea of converting his alternator to also pull the engine.

Brucey's project can be a success due to hilly terrain in part; being able to stay in overdrive while climbing hills by powering up the electric motor, helping by being a starter motor for constant restart cycles, and helping on the downhills with additional engine braking. I know where I live is similarily hilly, and I always lose 1 mpg trip average just by climbing the last 1/4 mile hill to my house, and other than a project like Brucey's, there is nothing I can do about it. Also, with him having an auto, he could "idle" the engine with the gas turned off for extra long coasts.

[Frank Lee]

Hmmm. Well it'll be interesting to see how it works out.

[OldGuy]

If a guy could get one of these, along with the control box, then maybe it becomes practical .http://www.greencar.com/articles/val...top-system.php

[ShadeTreeMech]

I suspect an alternator/restart motor of that type would only be useful on a smaller engine of around 1.5L or so. It is a bit of a surprise that it is possible....

[Old Tele man]

...as the "Laugh-In" German Soldier (Artie Johnson) used to say:

"...ver-r-r-r-y in-ter-est-ing!"



...used on Citroen C2 and C3.

[Frank Lee]

Well shut my mouth! OK, cool!