Quote:
Originally Posted by thingstodo
I think you are right. And as has been mentioned, a DC system would work well and could have the range that I need, but I won't be setting up a DC EV system. I'll work on the AC system with a bunch of old junk that costs me nothing, or almost nothing, and see what I can learn.
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I don't think it is a DC or AC thing.
I think the issues are still the same weather it was a DC system or an AC system.
- You have a target range.
- You have a target weight limit.
- There is a net total system efficiency from battery to wheel.
Quote:
Originally Posted by thingstodo
I don't want to marginalize the batteries. They appear to be the center of the system, and the rest of the system revolves around them.
They are just not very interesting
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The batteries store the energy for all the vehicle needs for power and range... they limit everything else... a 1,000 HP electric motor and controller only has 10HP if that is all the batteries will give... and range is a function of energy use rate and again limited by what the batteries give.
I completely understand they might not be as interesting to you ... I find them very interesting myself ... but to each their own.
Quote:
Originally Posted by thingstodo
I am not a die-hard EV fan. If I have to add a 10 - 20 HP Briggs and Stratton engine to make some electricity to extend the range of whatever I come up with - that's also an option.
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DIY HEVs like that have been made by the DIY BEV crowd years before the OEMs got into HEVs.
The short version is that the ICE generator isn't free ... not in $ , not in space, not in weight ... what you spend on it ( $ , or L , or kg ) you are not spending on batteries... so there will be some break even points along that line.
- Smallest ... Regular non-Plug in HEVs like the Prius.
- Medium ... PHEVs for increased net vehicle efficiency.
- Large ... PHEVs Primarily runs as BEV , only using ICE rarely to extend range.
The size and weight of even ~10kw continuous output generator eats more than some people expect... the ICE itself is not the source of the ICE benefits ... the ICE benefits mostly come from the massive energy density of the fuel they run on, not on the ICE itself that is needed to make use of that fuel's energy density.
Quote:
Originally Posted by thingstodo
Less gas is not my issue. Less cost would be nice, but again is not the issue. Understanding what is going on and troubleshooting myself is my goal.
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And a good goal it is.
And a benefit of BEVs is their comparative simplicity to ICEs.
Quote:
Originally Posted by thingstodo
If I ever get off my butt and build something, I'll start a build thread and I'm sure there will be much further discussion, about many things.
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I think you've already started ... the trick is not to get too impatient and expect it to be done fast or easy ... you've begun the work of ironing out what your finished goals are , for energy use ... power output , weight , cost , etc ... lots of progress.
