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Old 10-03-2010, 10:45 AM   #16 (permalink)
KamperBob
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Somewhere USA
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Wind generators are not efficient. Only a fraction of the kinetic energy of wind can be captured mechanically. Converting to electricity is lossy: alternators and wires heat up. Storing energy electrically is lossy: batteries leak due to internal resistance. Far better to forgo the weight, expense and complexity and focus on reducing drag. That will pay dividends ALWAYS and the return on investment increases with speed!

I installed a digital amp meter on the battery of my truck. Cranking the engine over saturates the draw above 200A for a second or two. The initial (peak) recharge rate is around 50A initially. That drops quickly and exponentially to 10A within a minute and 1A (steady state) within an hour. When you integrate the area under the curve the total energy to recharge the battery after a start is low. Parasitic power to do the deed is high fruit. Pick it last IMHO once your Cd is under 0.2 for example.

Cheers
KB
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