Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

homestead - Re: [Homestead] Two ranchers get together to chat

homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: Homestead mailing list

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: "Don Bowen" <don.bowen AT earthlink.net>
  • To: <homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Homestead] Two ranchers get together to chat
  • Date: Sun, 18 May 2008 15:49:26 -0700

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
replace the electricity used? Kinda make the hubs the equivalent of he-man
sized alternator/generator type thingys? Why is it that they have to drive
and then "fill up"?

Why would it not work to put a fan at the back of a sail boat and blow toward the sails?

Heat losses in the tires, in the gears and bearings, friction losses in the air flow, etc. There is a set amount of power to maintain a steady state. There are ways to reduce the power requirements but not eliminate them. Adding a generator to the wheels would only increase the steady state power requirements.

Some hybrids use regenerative braking. The braking system is turned around to a generator but at best that only gains about 15%.

Don Bowen KI6DIU
http://www.braingarage.com/Dons/Travels/journal/Journal.html




Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page