oletrucks
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: [oletrucks] an electrifying idea

To: George Long <longgw@nni.com>
Subject: Re: [oletrucks] an electrifying idea
From: jelerath@us.ibm.com
Date: Tue, 6 Jul 1999 14:52:24 -0600

Interesting thought, but what problem is this supposed to solve? (No battery?
Dead battery?)

Generator has permanent magnets in it so you don't need a battery, just spin it!
(This is why a permanent magnet motor becomes a generator if you spin it.)

Alternator needs sufficient current to keep the field energized so you need
either a "good" battery (one charged enough to keep the field energized until it
can energize itself) or you need to apply some sort of external voltage source
to energize the field windings.  (A jump start by pushing won't work if your
battery is missing or really dead.)  If the field is not energized, you get
nothing out of the alternator.  However, after there is sufficient current in
the field, THEN the alternator produces an output.   Once the alternator has an
output, this can be used to energize the field and keep the alternator working.

The way the regulator prevents overcharging is to interrupt the field circuit to
the alternator. (External regulator).  When the voltage of the alternator is
greater than the voltage of the battery, the regulator field relay stays closed
so the battery continues to be charged.  When the battery has nearly the same
voltge as the alternator, then the field relay opens up, disconnects the field
and the there is no output from the alternator, so the battery is not
overcharged. AFTER the alternator field is energized it can produce enough
output that it then keeps the regulator contacts closed by itself.

All you need is an alternator and an external battery to get started.  If you
don't have a battery, you can use a generator and jump start the vehicle (if the
regulator is set up properly). But I still don't understand the circumstances in
which you would need more than one alternator or generator. Are you trying to
get rid of the battery?


Comments??

Jon Elerath
jelerath@us.ibm.com



George Long <longgw@nni.com> on 07/06/99 12:36:00 PM

Please respond to George Long <longgw@nni.com>

To:   "oletrucks@autox.team.net" <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
cc:
Subject:  [oletrucks] an electrifying idea





I want to throw an idea out and see if anyone has a suggestion:
to get optimum efficency, offroader and racer will run two alternators.
My idea is to run both an alternator and a generator.

reasons for this set-up are on an alternator system you can run
a car with little or no charge in the battery as long as you get a
jump but it will not charge thw battery. with a generator you cannot
run the car without the battery or with very little charge. but the
generator will charge a battery if there is sufficent energy to keep
the motor running does anyone have any ideas to make this setup
work or should i start messing around with wires, any and all input
will be greatly appreciated.

Nate Long
54 3600

oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959



oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>