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Bicycle Bob · 01-25-2009, 04:27 PM

Ahh, so there was method to that. :-) Actually, 120 VAC peaks at something over 150 V AFAIR - the 120 is the average under a sine curve. However, chargers often have more differential than that. A transformer to boost the voltage ahead of your rectifier might help. However, if you want to regulate power by switching batteries in and out, you probably want individual chargers for each battery. These can be modern, high-tech units that produce pulses and all sorts of help tailored to the battery. Or, you could go to modern battery controllers. Once we moved from relays and big sparking contacts to silicon, it became easy to switch the power on and off again rapidly enough it works like a voltage change in a motor. From there, the art has progressed to controlling the spin of strong, permanent magnets, which has done a lot to get more range from the batteries. The new motors are simple and versatile, but totally dependent on silicon.

This may be a good time to read up on the specs of available controllers. Offhand, I can't remember the details of how to maximize regenerative braking. It pays to "overload" the motor more when gathering free energy. Unfortunately, you may wind up reading about a lot of ideal hardware that is 'way too big for your trike. Why not start from what's available for electric bicycles?

01-25-2009, 04:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
Bicycle Bob EcoModding Apprentice Join Date: May 2008 Location: N. Saskatchewan, CA Posts: 1,805 Appliance White - '93 Geo Metro 4-Dr. Auto Last 3: 42.35 mpg (US) Stealth RV - '91 Chevy Sprint Base Thanks: 91 Thanked 459 Times in 327 Posts	Ahh, so there was method to that. :-) Actually, 120 VAC peaks at something over 150 V AFAIR - the 120 is the average under a sine curve. However, chargers often have more differential than that. A transformer to boost the voltage ahead of your rectifier might help. However, if you want to regulate power by switching batteries in and out, you probably want individual chargers for each battery. These can be modern, high-tech units that produce pulses and all sorts of help tailored to the battery. Or, you could go to modern battery controllers. Once we moved from relays and big sparking contacts to silicon, it became easy to switch the power on and off again rapidly enough it works like a voltage change in a motor. From there, the art has progressed to controlling the spin of strong, permanent magnets, which has done a lot to get more range from the batteries. The new motors are simple and versatile, but totally dependent on silicon. This may be a good time to read up on the specs of available controllers. Offhand, I can't remember the details of how to maximize regenerative braking. It pays to "overload" the motor more when gathering free energy. Unfortunately, you may wind up reading about a lot of ideal hardware that is 'way too big for your trike. Why not start from what's available for electric bicycles? __________________ There is no excuse for a land vehicle to weigh more than its average payload. Last edited by Bicycle Bob; 01-25-2009 at 04:37 PM.. Reason: P.S.