2007-05-06 16:51:54 · 6 answers · asked by robert s 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I looked into this a while back..........and the simple answer is yes. Yes, but it is not an efficient way of generating electricity. Car alternators need to run at HIGH rpm to be effective....... so they are overdriven by at least a 3-1 ratio. Big crank pulley, small alternator pulley........usually 6,000 to 9,000 rpm operating speed. A better thing to use would be a permanent magnet motor, or generator. Older tractors like the Ubiquitous Ford 8n series usually have one, and alot of pre 60's GM cars and trucks have one too.
2007-05-06 16:58:53 · answer #1 · answered by blackbird455 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In theory, yes. In the real world - not really. It takes a few horsepower to spin the alternator and you would have to be traveling pretty fast to be able to spin the alternator enough to keep the battery charged. What I mean by driving pretty fast would be speeds above 70 miles an hour before the alternator would even begin to charge the battery.
2007-05-07 00:05:05 · answer #2 · answered by boogie2510 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The size of the wind-receptor would be a problem. The engine has a much more efficient size:torque ratio than a wind receptor would. It wouldn't be realistic.
2007-05-07 00:00:38 · answer #3 · answered by TJTB 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes but you would need one hell of a prop and about a twenty mph headwind. While an alternator spins easily when turned slowly it really grabs hold at about 2500 rpm, plus you will have to use a battery to activate the fields.
2007-05-07 00:19:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably but what do you do when there is no wind? Like when your at a stop light.
2007-05-06 23:56:46 · answer #5 · answered by DialM4Speed 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely,as long as there is wind,you can accomplish this by gearing.
2007-05-06 23:56:23 · answer #6 · answered by bustov1965 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋