my dad makes me laugh
 

So i was talking to my dad today about the golf cart project.. mentioned how the newer carts are running 4 deep cycle 12v batteries... he mentions " what if u have a small gas engine(like a week whacker engine) under there spinning an alternator so its charging the batteries as your ride around".. almost sounds good, but im not sure.. what do u think?

Re: my dad makes me laugh
 

You would have to have the power capacity of a welding machine to keep it fully charged. It will charge the batteries no doubt but not enough to keep it going. Your amp draw at startup can reach hundreds of amps, cruise amps can run as high as 75 amps. A small weedwhacker engine simply can't put out those kinds of power levels. You have to put back in what you pull out.

Then there is the economics of it.....it cost's pennies to charge an electric with a battery charger, running gas would cost dollars.

Re: my dad makes me laugh
 

true.. wouldnt be 100% effcient but it would work in terms of adding a lil bit of run time???

Re: my dad makes me laugh
 

Like taking a leak to put out a forest fire.

Did I just say that out loud? :oops: :shock: :help: :twisted: :mrgreen:

Re: my dad makes me laugh
 

lol yea true story there ...

Re: my dad makes me laugh
 

I probably get that question asked at least once a week. How about a small engine, how about a gas generator? If it was feasable, were talking "propetual motion". That's why I don't beleive in "regenative braking", there is no way that the "free wheeling" motor can be turned into a "generator" to charge the batteries enough to make a differance. In my opinion..by the time you turn the motor "mass" into a generator and "drag" down the speed of the car with regen, it takes "more power" from the batteries to get it back up to speed than you could have created. There are many on this forum more educated than I, Just my 2 cent's worth. I myself would like to see a "fuelcell" and beleive me...I know nothing about them either! But.....I don't know how Boeing can get those big jets up in the air either!!! Thanks for the post....If we don't TALK and THINK and TRY, we will never learn. One last note: SCOTTY....TRANSPORT ME TO CABO...(if you think about it...Transporter's would eliminate cars) IT"S COLD HERE! Later Dave

Re: my dad makes me laugh
 

well wether it does lil or lot, when the nicer weather comes around and i have some free time, im willing to give it a shot and SEE what happens..

Re: my dad makes me laugh
 

Be sure and post pics and results.

Re: my dad makes me laugh
 

Yes...I picturing a cart with 6 weedeater driven altenators on it :lol:8);-)

Re: my dad makes me laugh
 

if you are going to go through all that and listened to a nosey weed whacker motor maybe you should just buy a gas cart. just my 2 cents