RE: EVrelated(42v system, future conversion concerns)-long

[Roger Stockton <rstockton@delta-q.com>]

I must be missing something here: I though the battery in an ICE
is primarily there to *start* the ICE; once running, the alternator
supplies *all* the electrical requirements of the vehicle and
recharges the starting battery.  If future Gadgetmobiles require
3x the power of today's vehicles, it seems that it could simply
mean fitting a larger capacity (and more efficient!) alternator.

If the higher voltage system is desired to reduce current (and
wire size), just fit a 36V alternator and recharge the conventional
12V battery through a DC/DC. Make the DC/DC such that it can also
boost the 12V battery voltage up to the 36V bus level and one can
now run many of the 36V gadgets even with the engine off (though
almost everything on the list is only relevant with the engine
running and/or the vehicle in motion).

Or, fit a 36V pack of small 12V batteries; contrary to the article,
they don't have to be 3 batteries the same size as a conventional
vehicle uses: 3x the voltage, 1/3 the Ah equals the same energy storage
(and weight) as today's 12V battery... remember, when the engine is
running *it* provides the power for all the electrical gadgets, not
the battery, and when it isn't running, most of the electrical loads
disappear.

It is interesting that none of the examples cited for the switch from
6V to 12V actually seem to involve any significant increase in the
load placed on the electrical system, yet power windows and locks, which
*do* increase the load are not mentioned...

Likewise, the one real feature that could require/justify a switch to
a 36V system is not mentioned: i.e. the wonderful ability provided by
recent hybrids to stop the engine at a light and restart it *instantly*
when needed.

Interestingly, tooling around town in one of these Gadgetmobiles, the 8kW
consumed just powering its gadgets could be enough to power a pure electric
EV on the same mission...

Cheers,

Roger.

-----Original Message-----
From:	Bruce EVangel Parmenter [SMTP:brucedp@yahoo.com]
Sent:	Thursday, September 28, 2000 7:49 PM
To:	EVL
Subject:	EVrelated(42v system, future conversion concerns)-long

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