use the air we drive through

[PhilA]

You'd probably not get much out of it because the flow is low to moderate, but there's somewhere where you want air to be flowing- what about in the airstream to the cabin air feed? There's a fan in there already (albeit usually a radial-bladed squirrel-cage fan) but most of the time I like having some sort of airflow through the cabin, and this occurs even with the fan off, with the vehicle in motion.

Not sure how much energy would be in that gas flow though. Probably not much as the route to exit into the cabin is usually convoluted and the gearing on the fan is 1:1...

--Phil

[Sularus]

Everyone is forgetting about ducting that does not affect aero, or at least will not add drag. NACA ducts, the type used in racing, are designed to extract air from the stream without adding drag. Granted these ducts will not realize the same amount of air as a open duct in the grill, but will have the benefit of not adding to frontal area or drag. The upside is that there will be air coming in that does have velocity and pressure. You may not be able to generate a ton of power, but it may be enough to trickle charge a battery. Just some thoughts. This is actually a thought i had some time ago, but I am just now starting to get a better idea of generators. I think a BLDC would be better than the standard alternator. BLDCs realize higher efficeincy ratings.

[gone-ot]

...ah, but NACA ducts "trade-off" velocity for pressure.

[Sularus]

you can't have it all, I am just offering an alternative idea. Just trying to offer some help in seeing a project realized. If you do want to reclaim some pressure you can always add a divergent zone in front of the blades to increase the pressure. It all depends on how much space you want to take up with it.

[cfg83]

Old Tele man -

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

...ah, but NACA ducts "trade-off" velocity for pressure.

Could the wheelwell be used to "pull" the air out?!?!?! :



PS - In the above, I say "fan", but I really mean mini-windmill-turbine-thingy.

CarloSW2

[cfg83]

talldudenumber5 -

Here are the specs on that motor :

Mabuchi EG-530AD-2F

EG-530AD-2F

SKU: 1112010

Voltage Range (VDC): 8.4-15
Current (Amps): 0.073
Rated Speed (RPM): 2400
Torque (g-cm):8
Shaft Diameter: 0.079"
Shaft Length: 0.37"
Size:1.38"D x 0.98"L
DC Motor: Casette, CD Player, CD-ROM, VCD, DVD, DV-ROM

It's rated at 0.073 Amps. I think I would want at least 1 Amp, but maybe that's asking too much?!?!?!

CarloSW2

[bondo]

I've heard the British vacuum maven has filed a patent for an electric car. His design may even work! My attempt, the jury is still out.

[talldudenumber5]

i found this model ( Small Alternator, Mini Generator (YAF-54) ) that may get me the amps i need especially if i do 2 of them plus i could do 2 solar panels like this to trickle charge what the wind does not and they would fit into my sun roof and still allow me to use it. ( 1.5 Watt 12V 90mA MINI SOLAR PANEL for CHARGING BATTERY - eBay (item 130436312637 end time Oct-03-10 20:45:07 PDT) )
i have decided to do a fan behind the radiator since being after the radiator i have nothing to lose in drag or cfm in air moving in to cool the radiator / engine. plus when the fans kick on turbo boost to compensate for them coming on

this idea is very feasible and could replace an alternator it would not be good for a vehicle with heavy electrical load ( bass systems, lots plugged into the cig lighter, lots of lights, etc.)or for alot of turning the engine on then off but for a hypermiling vehicle that neutral coasts instead of EOC this could replace the alternator with out worry of dead battery.

also side note: the solar would trickle charge the battery to keep it topped off which would help the battery last longer and reduce the amount you have to replace those expensive batteries

[KamperBob]

If you're serious about no alternator, headlights would ruin your plan. Just avoid dark. Change brake lights to LED. If that unbalances the blinker circuitry, that too can be fixed. Seems like a lot of fuss over high fruit IMHO but squeezing the stone...

The project promises to be educational for sure. I hope to read all about it.

Cheers
KB

[cfg83]

KamperBob -

Maybe talldudenumber5 is a giraffe, so high-fruit is easier to get at, .

CarloSW2