Combined starter alternator.

[NiHaoMike]

Originally Posted by Piwoslaw

I remember reading 10-20 years ago about plans to raise automotive voltage to 42V to power all of the extra accessories, and to ease engine start-stop. What ever happened to that?

They abandoned it in favor of even higher voltages. Such as the Prius with a 200v battery.

[ECONORAM]

Originally Posted by RobertSmalls

Hybrids have them, where it's a combined starter, alternator, traction motor, and regenerative brake. Hybrids usually run at 36-200V and have a high voltage deep cycle battery that is a large part of why hybrids are expensive. However, it's possible to do those things at 12V, and some auto parts suppliers (Bosch comes to mind) have developed them. I presume the reason 12V belt ISG's aren't popular is that they do in fact cost more than the conventional method, and the benefits aren't worth the cost.

Aircraft have them. Here's an example: Aircraft Starter Generators
True, they are a little pricey and the ones I recall working around were 28VDC, but they did both jobs. True, they are mounted on gas turbine engines...

Originally Posted by phord

So is it possible to modify one of a hybrid? Because I see wrecked hybrids all the time here I thought I could do it cheaply.

I was wondering the same thing.