Generator

[BarelyAWake]

Yes, many have tried something similar, what you're proposing is essentially perpetual motion - consider this: where your theory sound, without batteries for stored energy or another outside source of energy you could connect an electric engine to an electric generator & by powering that generator with the engine, provide the energy needed to power the engine... but due to the loss through friction/heat (entropy), this simply isn't possible - but is a quite simple experiment you can try for yourself.

Originally Posted by Donbia

...Then there is the man who put a small Honda generator on his electric bike and extended the range from 20 to 100 miles.
Go to you tube put in bike generator and you can view it.

If you don't try you will never know...

http://motorbicycling.com/showthread.php?t=24210

The small Honda generator is an outside source of energy, thus a different scenario. You're simply trading one consumed energy source for another. This does not reduce overall energy consumption, rather it's supplementing one with another, "extending the range" of the electric system only by supplanting it.

Generally speaking, the "towed generator & ebike" experimentation is an extremely difficult equation with an almost inescapable diminishing returns dilemma. The additional weight & drag of the trailer & generator itself can preclude the advantage of having one, it may consume your battery reserve faster than it can replenish it - yet if the generator is large enough to power the motor and charge the batteries simultaneously, you would get far better overall preformance and fuel efficiency/mileage by simply using an equivalent or even smaller internal combustion engine to power the vehicle directly, without the additional weight/drag & complexity of the electric generator, charging & drive system...

I'll freely admit my experimental "tribrid" system may be no less subject to this, despite the fact it's all fully incorporated as I still have the additional weight & drag factors, if lessened somewhat. Even the advantage of commercially available hybrids are still controversial in regards to overall efficiency, dependent on type & usage of course. Not to discourage experimentation by any means - please do try whatever solution you feel appropriate, I just didn't want to do you a disservice by not pointing out the inherent difficulties with such systems.

[BigBlue]

Just as a reminder, it takes approximately 1hp to generate 25 to 30 amps.

Good Luck,

Chris
AKA: BigBlue

[Nashville Kat]

I think there are bike generator bottles out there that are 12v- probably not as powerful as a car, but probably not as much resistence while pedalling either-

I just got a used old 6 v bottle on ebay and it really lights up the LED headlight I got from boygofast that I never could get to run off the motor's white wire.

But I was thinking- I COULD wire it into my Bell Dawn patrol- which uses 4 AA 1.5 v batterries in a series for the 6v bulb-

AND I happen to have some rechargeable AA batteries- not too expensive or hard to come by- so I'm thinking that if the generator were wired up to it right- it should also CHARGE the batteries a bit- as well as keeping the lights on when I stop moving-

I guess I could do the same with a battery case from Radio Shack, and still probably use the Boygofast LED which is really quite lightweight otherwise and really gives a good light..

I also won an entire generator set- bottle, front and rear light- for less than $10 shipped on ebay- but got pretty lucky I think.

[BarelyAWake]

Bicycle Dynamo Generator 12V 6W w/lots of interesting points in the comments section...

[BigBlue]

Here's an interesting page from Peter White Cycles on dynamos:

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/dymotec.asp

Good Luck,

Chris
AKA: BigBlue

[Donbia]

Like I said before, I am not trying to run a electric bike from a generator, just keeping the charge in the battery longer, this the same principle the man with the Honda generator, He try it and it worked. he just was adding to what had to keep the battery charged longer, I think you are just basing all this on theory and not any thing you have tried yourself, get with it and get your hands dirty and try it before you condemn it. People who invent don't worry about other peoples theory, they brake the mold and invent new. If not then nothing would ever get invented because everybody would be going by theory and not trying anything for themselves. Further the man overseas with the car generator on his back bicycle wheel only peddled his bike and had more then enough power to run all the lights on his bike, which was substantial, drawing meany amps to work.
I am getting way off my original thread about keeping a battery charged for starter and light use.
I am done with this tread anyway, so any other response will be ignored, because this is becoming ridiculous, just seeing who can have the last word.
An Idea is just that, try it and prove it for yourself, or just leave it. .

A Idea in time.

[Bikeguy Joe]

If you can "invent" perpetual motion, you will be rich. You will use more power than you make, or break even at best.

[2door]

The OP of this thread has historically brought up a subject, asking for opinions. When those opinions are given, he has arguments against them and states he's going to do it his way, the world be-damned.

Sir, if you don't want to listen to the voice of experience and the facts of physics, why do you insist on bringing the subjects up? Do what you feel you need to do and ask for advice if you need it, but do not put people down for offering you what you originally asked for. Your age and experience is comendable, nevertheless, your quarrelsome ways are beginning to wear thin.
Tom

[Donbia]

I am sorry you fell that way, I never intended to be quarrelsome in any way, just when I am call names, such as fool and such, every one has the right to present ideas, but if some one new to this forum presents one then the old ones pounce and do not want to hear any part of it.
I don't fell I have been in any way out of touch with this forum, I listen to any advice I hear and then consider it for my situation, As I am sure others do.
Ideas and dreams are what make this country the place it is.
I suppose because I don't agree with you or others like you, then I should not post in any way for fear that a idea might clash with someone like you.
Tom had said he dos not want bickering on this post, but you seem to want to Just to have your say, bickering or not.
Enough said about that and all such in fighting, I for one will not respond to any more of these childish actions and just the impotent items at hand, Life is to short for such things. flg..