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[Clansgian AT wmconnect.com]

> 
> O.K., all you mechanically/electrical engineering type/inclined folks.  How 
> come they can't use the wheels of a vehicle to generate electricity to 
> 

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In fact, that's what's done on many of the current hybrids and electrics.  
The braking system is actually a generator on each wheel so that the momentum 
of 
the vehicle is expended in generating a bit of electricity.

The operant word here is 'bit'.

If you have one of the types of generators that has no motor, like the one on 
my steam enigne, you can turn the generator with your hand easily - as long 
as there is no load on it.  If you plug a light bulb into it, it is very much 
harder to turn (at any speed).  If you plug your house into it, it is 
impossible to turn with your own muscle power.  (you can actually begi to 
turn it but 
as soon as the load is felt, you can feel it sieze up in your hands.)

Like that, you can only have the generators engaged when the motors are not 
engages, else the generators would act as brakes and waste the power to the 
wheels overcoming the counterforce of the generators.

On these long mountain roads here where you go downhill for fifteen miles at 
at time, you could generate quite a bit of electricity.  But, hoo boy, going 
up the other side you pay it back in interest!

James

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