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Originally Posted by jamesqf
Oh, darn :-( Does that mean I'm going to have to return my BS in math & physics, and my MS in computer engineering?
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Yeast is here asking me if that is an option
Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesqf
Guess you never worked at a place where you had to climb about 800 vertical feet of around 8-10% grade first thing in the morning. Even the lowest gear on my street bike didn't allow moderate pedalling.
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Sounds tough, but made tougher if you want to waste your energy by ditching the chain in favor of a less efficient pedal generator -> motor setup. A lower gear is always possible too, the energy to climb the hill has to come from somewhere, don't waste it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesqf
Sure would have been nice to be able to store all that energy in a battery, and use it on the climb the next day :-)
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Absolutely, not a series vs parallel issue per-se, but your pedal contributions will be greater for the same physical effort with a parallel setup and proper gearing. We are about efficiency, no? Ignoring the battery, because both series and parallel systems can use it, and it is not a relevant variable for efficiency measurements,
what do you suppose the losses are, realistically, of powering a generator powering a motor strong enough to power you up a hill and take you 20mph, are? I assume both this system and the chain involve the same mechanical losses, though there are probably more on the goofy (series) one. Maybe a %25 loss of efficiency all told? You might as well drag a few cinder blocks behind you everywhere you go
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Originally Posted by jamesqf
...Then add a battery pack, and watch yourself zoom...
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesqf
...would have the sense to refer back to its previous (and quoted) post, and see that batteries were never mentioned....
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uh, hmm... well... not sure how to tell you this...