Things you always wanted to know the answer to [Vol. 3]
Discussion
Before I start let me acknowledge that I'm an idiot so there is no need to keep telling me that.
Why can't EVs run alternators off their rotating parts and produce power to recharge their own batteries.
I've read on here that only idiots would think it was possible but never seen it explained in words simple enough for those of us (or just me) who are not as smart as the rest of you.
Please, replies in the simplest of terms and preferably not just "It can't be done".
Why can't EVs run alternators off their rotating parts and produce power to recharge their own batteries.
I've read on here that only idiots would think it was possible but never seen it explained in words simple enough for those of us (or just me) who are not as smart as the rest of you.
Please, replies in the simplest of terms and preferably not just "It can't be done".
Johnspex said:
Before I start let me acknowledge that I'm an idiot so there is no need to keep telling me that.
Why can't EVs run alternators off their rotating parts and produce power to recharge their own batteries.
I've read on here that only idiots would think it was possible but never seen it explained in words simple enough for those of us (or just me) who are not as smart as the rest of you.
Please, replies in the simplest of terms and preferably not just "It can't be done".
No such thing as 'free' energy. To create power from something like an alternator would cause resistance and it would take more energy to overcome that resistance than the alternator would create.Why can't EVs run alternators off their rotating parts and produce power to recharge their own batteries.
I've read on here that only idiots would think it was possible but never seen it explained in words simple enough for those of us (or just me) who are not as smart as the rest of you.
Please, replies in the simplest of terms and preferably not just "It can't be done".
ETA - I think... (ps - I'm an idiot too and only know the above because I asked the same thing to a mate who knows this kind of stuff
)Johnspex said:
Before I start let me acknowledge that I'm an idiot so there is no need to keep telling me that.
Why can't EVs run alternators off their rotating parts and produce power to recharge their own batteries.
I've read on here that only idiots would think it was possible but never seen it explained in words simple enough for those of us (or just me) who are not as smart as the rest of you.
Please, replies in the simplest of terms and preferably not just "It can't be done".
You've just invented a perpetual motion machine!Why can't EVs run alternators off their rotating parts and produce power to recharge their own batteries.
I've read on here that only idiots would think it was possible but never seen it explained in words simple enough for those of us (or just me) who are not as smart as the rest of you.
Please, replies in the simplest of terms and preferably not just "It can't be done".
However in real life...
...not all the power in the battery is available to go back in.
There will be losses all along the way. In the battery itself, cables, electronics, motor and alternator.
However there are some occasions when cars with traction batteries do charge themselves. Especially braking or when coasting down a hill. i.e. when the batteries are not needed to power the vehicle and the power is available from elsewhere - harvesting kinetic energy when braking or gravity when going down a hill.
Dr Jekyll said:
Does anyone make an instant porridge containing caffeine? It would save time on a cold morning.
I have considered stirring Nescafe into my porridge but suspect it would taste odd.
add some yourselfI have considered stirring Nescafe into my porridge but suspect it would taste odd.
https://www.caffeineinformer.com/caffeine-content/...
vital to save those seconds
Johnspex said:
Before I start let me acknowledge that I'm an idiot so there is no need to keep telling me that.
Why can't EVs run alternators off their rotating parts and produce power to recharge their own batteries.
I've read on here that only idiots would think it was possible but never seen it explained in words simple enough for those of us (or just me) who are not as smart as the rest of you.
Please, replies in the simplest of terms and preferably not just "It can't be done".
An alternator takes more energy in than it puts out. So running one off your rotating parts that are powered by your battery, in order to put less energy back into your battery than you took out is a waste. Better not doing that, and better not having the alternator at all, and saving the cost of the alternator into the bargain.Why can't EVs run alternators off their rotating parts and produce power to recharge their own batteries.
I've read on here that only idiots would think it was possible but never seen it explained in words simple enough for those of us (or just me) who are not as smart as the rest of you.
Please, replies in the simplest of terms and preferably not just "It can't be done".
But..!
If you're going to be regularly converting your useful and paid-for kinetic energy along the road into useless heat energy in the brakes (by slowing down), then you'd be better off using that otherwise-wasted energy to spin an alternator instead, and redirect some of that lost heat energy into useful electricity back into the battery.
Which is what electric cars do. They harvest braking energy, but don't take energy from rotating parts when you don't want to be slowing down.
After the prompt and easily understood answer to my previous question I'd like to ask another.
I live in north Devon and there are loads of grey import vehicles here. They are mostly of the dayvan/people carrier type like the brilliantly named Mazda Friendee Bongo. There hundreds here ranging from fairly new to quite well used and tatty.
What I'd like to know is what do the owners see in these vehicles with their associated parts and insurance problems that they don't see in UK market vehicles and why were they not imported officially if they are that popular? And why are they so popular here. I didn't see anything like as many in west London where we lived previously. A further question would be how do I stop myself saying "look, there's another one' to Mrs Spex all the time and driving her bonkers?
I live in north Devon and there are loads of grey import vehicles here. They are mostly of the dayvan/people carrier type like the brilliantly named Mazda Friendee Bongo. There hundreds here ranging from fairly new to quite well used and tatty.
What I'd like to know is what do the owners see in these vehicles with their associated parts and insurance problems that they don't see in UK market vehicles and why were they not imported officially if they are that popular? And why are they so popular here. I didn't see anything like as many in west London where we lived previously. A further question would be how do I stop myself saying "look, there's another one' to Mrs Spex all the time and driving her bonkers?
I had always assumed that grey imports were a factor of a gap in the market, RHD and a good exchange rate.
Most imports seem to be turbo-nutter japanese stuff from the 90/00's or unreleased (in the uk) caravanette things like the Bongo or the Jap spec CTR. You rarely see a K-car import or a Civic.
Most imports seem to be turbo-nutter japanese stuff from the 90/00's or unreleased (in the uk) caravanette things like the Bongo or the Jap spec CTR. You rarely see a K-car import or a Civic.
Johnspex said:
After the prompt and easily understood answer to my previous question I'd like to ask another.
I live in north Devon and there are loads of grey import vehicles here. They are mostly of the dayvan/people carrier type like the brilliantly named Mazda Friendee Bongo. There hundreds here ranging from fairly new to quite well used and tatty.
What I'd like to know is what do the owners see in these vehicles with their associated parts and insurance problems that they don't see in UK market vehicles and why were they not imported officially if they are that popular? And why are they so popular here. I didn't see anything like as many in west London where we lived previously. A further question would be how do I stop myself saying "look, there's another one' to Mrs Spex all the time and driving her bonkers?
Quite often the spec in mostly Japanese people carriers are vastly superior for the money an import can be bought. Sister had a 3.0v6 Pajero which was literally loaded with every extra possible for the same money as a UK Shogun with basic spec. Same with the people carriers. They have armchair leather, adaptive suspension, xenon's, AWD, look fancy and are supposedly extremely comfy to drive. Don't think there are really any rivals for them in the UK. I live in north Devon and there are loads of grey import vehicles here. They are mostly of the dayvan/people carrier type like the brilliantly named Mazda Friendee Bongo. There hundreds here ranging from fairly new to quite well used and tatty.
What I'd like to know is what do the owners see in these vehicles with their associated parts and insurance problems that they don't see in UK market vehicles and why were they not imported officially if they are that popular? And why are they so popular here. I didn't see anything like as many in west London where we lived previously. A further question would be how do I stop myself saying "look, there's another one' to Mrs Spex all the time and driving her bonkers?
Antony Moxey said:
Why, when a new double socket is installed, does the sparky always leave it with one socket switched on and one socket switched off? Why aren't they both switched off?
Why, when a plumber is called to service the boiler and central heating mid-summer, does he leave all the radiator thermostats except the one you check turned up full so when you test the system for 2 hrs while you're out you return to heatstroke and searching frantically for the double glazing key?Johnspex said:
After the prompt and easily understood answer to my previous question I'd like to ask another.
I live in north Devon and there are loads of grey import vehicles here. They are mostly of the dayvan/people carrier type like the brilliantly named Mazda Friendee Bongo. There hundreds here ranging from fairly new to quite well used and tatty.
What I'd like to know is what do the owners see in these vehicles with their associated parts and insurance problems that they don't see in UK market vehicles and why were they not imported officially if they are that popular? And why are they so popular here. I didn't see anything like as many in west London where we lived previously. A further question would be how do I stop myself saying "look, there's another one' to Mrs Spex all the time and driving her bonkers?
Abbey Road motors in Barnstaple specialised in importing Mazda Bongos and the Ford version (called the Freeda or something like that) back in the 1990s/early 2000s so there was a whole bunch of them in the area. They are still popular because they fit in with the day van /surfing changing room vibe of the original VM campers at a fraction of the cost and there aren't really any rivals for "normal" money.I live in north Devon and there are loads of grey import vehicles here. They are mostly of the dayvan/people carrier type like the brilliantly named Mazda Friendee Bongo. There hundreds here ranging from fairly new to quite well used and tatty.
What I'd like to know is what do the owners see in these vehicles with their associated parts and insurance problems that they don't see in UK market vehicles and why were they not imported officially if they are that popular? And why are they so popular here. I didn't see anything like as many in west London where we lived previously. A further question would be how do I stop myself saying "look, there's another one' to Mrs Spex all the time and driving her bonkers?
boyse7en said:
Abbey Road motors in Barnstaple specialised in importing Mazda Bongos and the Ford version (called the Freeda or something like that) back in the 1990s/early 2000s so there was a whole bunch of them in the area. They are still popular because they fit in with the day van /surfing changing room vibe of the original VM campers at a fraction of the cost and there aren't really any rivals for "normal" money.
There's a place on A39 with about 4 or 5 of this kind of vehicle outside. They're actually caged so it's pointless stopping for a nose round. However, they look very smart and up-market and are priced £21-23K. They appear tremendous value especially compared with the ridiculous prices asked for worn out VW T4&5s. If I needed a vehicle like that I'd definitely be interested but a 3 series estate, anMX5 and a Honda CRV seem to cover all my bases.Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff