Quote:
Originally Posted by brucepick
Using the alt to charge the system puts a load on the engine. The more amps it provides or puts out, the bigger the load the engine "sees". So you can charge the battery now or charge it later, same difference. If you want gains, use deep cycle(s) and charge them off the grid as suggested earlier. Grid=low cost.
UNLESS you are going down enough of a hill that even with transmission engaged to drive the alternator, you will arrive at end of your coast with same speed as if you had done EOC. In that case, you may as well charge off the alternator, driven by gravity. Admit it, usually anything that slows your coast will shorten it and reduce your overall mpg.
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I meant... only charging the battery during braking. Using the higher amp draw to aid conventional braking so your sending kinetic body energy into a lithium ion polymer battery capable of taking a Huge charge instead of bleeding it off with brakes.
Would require a lipo battery. And ESC as well as modifying the brake pedal to use first few millimeters of travel souly for regenerative brake charging.
As for lowering mpg going downhill. I disagree. I live in the mountains and you can't just coast down the mountain without using the brakes so... using the alternator to keep speed in check over the brakes wouldn't hurt mpg.