Quote:
Originally Posted by arcosine
Traction drives are not very efficient ~80%, this bicycle hub can not handle the 5000 rpm of a modern alternator. Better off putting solar cells to charge during the day with LI batteries and /or alternator at night. alternator uses very little power when not charging.
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Ummmn... you seem to have missed the point completely:
The idea here is to keep alternator rpm it the alternators peak efficiency by gearing the rpm of the alternator down as engine rpm goes up.
If you look at the graphs linked in the 1st post you will notice the very narrow rpm range in which alternators are most efficient.
You will also notice that that rpm range is at low rpm.
BTW the 1st linked drive's efficiency is 85%.
You did read why the numbers add up for a constant optimal alternator rpm and disengage during acceleration?
Solar:
Car mounted solar needs to be able to withstand the bumps and vibration etc of a car.
They also need to be light or your power to weight ratio makes it not worthwhile.
Most importantly they need to be aerodynamic to see any overall gain.
Thin film cells that can bend can do simple curves not the complex curves of a roof, trunk and hood.
Point being: Tossing a home type solar panel on a roof rack isn't going to net gain you anything and likely wont last long.
(I was hoping someone may have noticed that the last linked motor, gearbox wouldn't work at all as it's geared in the wrong direction.
ie: You'd want the ICE input where the motor is and the motor on the gearbox's output.
Oh well...
)