electric car power

Indyplumber · 08-09-11, 07:19 AM

Wouldn't it be possible to apply wind power to an electric car's power system?
With all the talk about limited range because of battery storage capacity, I think it would possible to install a wind powered generator in the place of a spoiler. It wouldn't help very much in city driving because of the short distances and the stopping and starting but I think it would be great for extended distances. Because most wind powered generators require a minimum wind speed before activating, a car traveling 40+ mph would, I think, generate more than enough wind, even for a downsized turbine.

I'm not an electrical engineer (hence the name IndyPLUMBER lol) but the power generated could either go directly to the electric motor(s) or the battery pack could be split so the turbine charges 1/2 while the other 1/2 runs the motor(s) and then switches when one side gets too low.

It's just a thought.

Daox · 08-09-11, 08:01 AM

The problem there is that it takes power to spin the wind turbine. That power would be coming from the batteries in the car. Now, the batteries have to not only push a car down the road, but also push a windmill down the road. Even though the windmill produces power, it isn't 100%+ efficient. So, due to the efficiency losses through the system you would just slowly bleed more power than not having the turbine.

Ryland · 08-09-11, 09:27 AM

I did some figuring a while back and found that even replacing the alternator on a gas car with a prop that a prop the size of the radiator would need to be going 55mph before it put out the same kind of power that the standard car alternator does and at that point it would also need to be 15 feet in front of the car to be out of the turbulence as the space at the front of the car is not moving in a smooth or straight line.

Add to that, that in converting wind energy to electrical you can only hope for a 50% conversion because after a point the air starts to move around the turbine as if it is a solid object.

But the short answer is, you can not charge a car off it's self, if you try to you end up with a very complex heater, because every step that you have produces heat.

Phantom · 08-09-11, 09:53 AM

If it were to be tried you should use a axis turbine in place of the spoiler but would need to add a trailing edge to cut down on drag. In doing this the angle from the roof to the top edge of the turbine will need to be in the wake a bit with the trailing edge extended to the point that it will meet the 10-12 degree angle needed to keep drag down.

I'm not saying that it will have any benefit or work well but if you are thinking of trying something like this I would recommend going to EcoModder.com

Piwoslaw · 08-09-11, 02:22 PM

Indyplumber · 08-10-11, 04:17 PM

Thanks for the info all.

gasstingy · 08-31-11, 12:55 PM

COOL!

Thanks, Really!

I have several of those INFINITE POWER devices at home and now I know how to utilize them correctly. So, the trick is to convert the ICE car to a 120V electric vehicle so it can use one of the three or four remaining plugs.

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha

08-09-11, 07:19 AM	#1
Indyplumber Lurking Renovator Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Indiana Posts: 18 Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	electric car power Wouldn't it be possible to apply wind power to an electric car's power system? With all the talk about limited range because of battery storage capacity, I think it would possible to install a wind powered generator in the place of a spoiler. It wouldn't help very much in city driving because of the short distances and the stopping and starting but I think it would be great for extended distances. Because most wind powered generators require a minimum wind speed before activating, a car traveling 40+ mph would, I think, generate more than enough wind, even for a downsized turbine. I'm not an electrical engineer (hence the name IndyPLUMBER lol) but the power generated could either go directly to the electric motor(s) or the battery pack could be split so the turbine charges 1/2 while the other 1/2 runs the motor(s) and then switches when one side gets too low. It's just a thought.

08-09-11, 08:01 AM	#2
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	The problem there is that it takes power to spin the wind turbine. That power would be coming from the batteries in the car. Now, the batteries have to not only push a car down the road, but also push a windmill down the road. Even though the windmill produces power, it isn't 100%+ efficient. So, due to the efficiency losses through the system you would just slowly bleed more power than not having the turbine. __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

08-09-11, 02:22 PM	#5
Piwoslaw Super Moderator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Warsaw, Poland Posts: 961 Thanks: 188 Thanked 110 Times in 86 Posts	Attached Thumbnails __________________ Ecorenovation - the bottomless piggy bank that tries to tame the energy hog. Last edited by Piwoslaw; 08-11-11 at 12:25 AM..

08-09-11, 09:27 AM	#3
Ryland Master EcoRenovator Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Western Wisconsin. Posts: 913 Thanks: 127 Thanked 82 Times in 71 Posts	I did some figuring a while back and found that even replacing the alternator on a gas car with a prop that a prop the size of the radiator would need to be going 55mph before it put out the same kind of power that the standard car alternator does and at that point it would also need to be 15 feet in front of the car to be out of the turbulence as the space at the front of the car is not moving in a smooth or straight line. Add to that, that in converting wind energy to electrical you can only hope for a 50% conversion because after a point the air starts to move around the turbine as if it is a solid object. But the short answer is, you can not charge a car off it's self, if you try to you end up with a very complex heater, because every step that you have produces heat.

08-09-11, 09:53 AM	#4
Phantom Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 101 Thanks: 13 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts	If it were to be tried you should use a axis turbine in place of the spoiler but would need to add a trailing edge to cut down on drag. In doing this the angle from the roof to the top edge of the turbine will need to be in the wake a bit with the trailing edge extended to the point that it will meet the 10-12 degree angle needed to keep drag down. I'm not saying that it will have any benefit or work well but if you are thinking of trying something like this I would recommend going to EcoModder.com

08-10-11, 04:17 PM	#6
Indyplumber Lurking Renovator Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Indiana Posts: 18 Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thanks for the info all.

08-31-11, 12:55 PM	#7
gasstingy Journeyman EcoRenovator Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Arab, AL Posts: 491 Thanks: 109 Thanked 49 Times in 43 Posts	COOL! Thanks, Really! I have several of those INFINITE POWER devices at home and now I know how to utilize them correctly. So, the trick is to convert the ICE car to a 120V electric vehicle so it can use one of the three or four remaining plugs. Hahahahahahahahahahahaha