Gas powered electric- a measure of sucess

The idea behind hybrid gas/electrics is to drive the electrical system from batteries, which are being recharged by the generator. The battery has the capacity to provide the high amerage for takeoffs and hills. The generator just needs to provide enough amperage to maintain speed once attained, and recharge the battery with the power needed to get the bike up to speed.

Thus, the gas engine can be smaller than would otherwise be needed, as it can run in it's maximum efficiency RPM range. The battery stores the small excess power until it's needed. A regenerating controller can also convert some of the kinetic energy back into electrical energy when slowing down or going downhill and push it baqck into the battery, so that it's not all lost to heat.

Exactly.....that was my theory when I had my pusher. The generator was just big enough to keep the smaller batteries charged, and the batteries were big enough to absorb the higher power requirements of hills and acceleration. The smaller batteries provided the power and the genserator extended the range without needing the extra weight of the larger batteries.
 
A regenerating controller can also convert some of the kinetic energy back into electrical energy when slowing down or going downhill and push it baqck into the battery, so that it's not all lost to heat.

I designed and built a small regenerative controller for a DC motor a couple of years ago. From memory, it could handle up to about 750W, but was only 12V and had forward and reverse so wouldn't be suitable for a bike.
With the 'throttle' centred, the vehicle was stationary. Dropping below centre went backwards while above centre moved forwards.
Any time vehicle speed was higher than throttle position, (ie going downhill), excess energy was diverted back into charging the battery.

professor said:
I have a 450 w motor waiting to go on with a bigger motor sprocket on it and to keep up with the spandex guys for a bit might be interesting.

I thought about buying a 450W upgrade for my electric bike, but decided against it because I'd need to double up on battery capacity to keep a decent range. (At about $500 a pop for the Lithium batteries, it's hard to justify)

... Steve
 
Steve

Been kicking around the idea of using an electric trolling motor to power a bike. Have enough other ideas to stay occupied for years, but your controller sounds ideal for something like that. :unsure: Reverse isn't necessary......but the cool factor.....:devilish:
 
There is a delta trike setup with a small honda generator on the back (forget if its on here or other motoredbike site?) Gets something ridiculous like 200mpg range, a fella that is legally blind built it...

KiM

Saw that too, but can't find it. Very useful contraption.
 
Steve
Been kicking around the idea of using an electric trolling motor to power a bike. Have enough other ideas to stay occupied for years, but your controller sounds ideal for something like that. :unsure: Reverse isn't necessary......but the cool factor.....:devilish:

I've been thinking about making a regenerative controller for my 200W electric bike. Problem is, it's a brushless motor and I've never built a controller for them, let alone a regenerative one. It would take a fair bit of research to get me started, so I haven't got past the 'thinking about it'stage.
I've still got all the gear sitting here - circuit board design software and PCB etching equipment, just lacking motivation.

... Steve
 
I've been thinking about making a regenerative controller for my 200W electric bike. Problem is, it's a brushless motor and I've never built a controller for them, let alone a regenerative one. It would take a fair bit of research to get me started, so I haven't got past the 'thinking about it'stage.
I've still got all the gear sitting here - circuit board design software and PCB etching equipment, just lacking motivation.

... Steve

I can understand that feeling......especially after eating like a pig. Dumb question for the Aussies.....do you celebrate Thanksgiving??:giggle:

I have to admit I am appalled at the tight regulations the Aussies and Canadians have on their MBs. Just curious, how would they feel about the hybrid situation. After all, the bike is powered by electricity....it just has an on board generator to charge the batteries. Could be a bad portend of things to come in the USA. :cry:
 
Dumb question for the Aussies.....do you celebrate Thanksgiving??:giggle:


Nope we don't ...

I think regardless of if the motor is directly powering or 'indirectly' powering the bicycle the 200watt law would somehow raise its ugly head in OZ...at the end of the day the motor is required for powered motion, if its over 200watt the would have a problem i think

KiM

p.s that delta trike with a genie on it was also on Endless Sphere IIRC tried searching then no luck...
 
Nope we don't ...

I think regardless of if the motor is directly powering or 'indirectly' powering the bicycle the 200watt law would somehow raise its ugly head in OZ...at the end of the day the motor is required for powered motion, if its over 200watt the would have a problem i think

KiM

p.s that delta trike with a genie on it was also on Endless Sphere IIRC tried searching then no luck...

Figures. Loopholes only get one so far. Been watching your build.....great job. Like the fiberglass work.
 
I am doing this exactly because of regulations.
I have considered your mode of charging while going down the road Denny, but then I would need a controler and either somehow charge at 24volts or drop the whole system down to 12 and run the 450 watt motor at 1/2 voltage (giving about 250 watts at the alternator's 14 volt output.
 
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