The smallest gas powered generator I’ve found is the Honda EX700c. It has 700W output and weighs 26.5 pounds. Is there anything similar or preferably, smaller (in terms of physical size and weight) available off the shelf? It doesn’t have to have 100V output.
Or how about a stand-alone gasoline engine? Is there one that I can combine with an automotive alternator and still fit it in a package smaller than the Honda I mentioned above?
I just want to investigate the possibility of combining a gas generator with a small electric vehicle. I know this isn’t the most energy-efficient way to move a vehicle, but it would be an interesting project.
Electrically, IIRC, 1 horsepower is 746 Watts. So it would seem to me that if you need 1 HP or more to move your vehicle, you need a generator of that size. Now a battery pack would allow you to draw more power than the generator can supply, but eventually that energy needs to be replaced.
Actually, I’m thinking more along the lines of a Heinzmann or similar motor mounted on my tricycle frame. This motor is rated for 750W peak and 500W sustained, but I think average power of 300W is enough to move at a comfortable and speed (say 20 mph). A battery can supply the extra power needed for acceleration and hills, and get recharged while coasting. Just like any gas-electric hybrid vehicle.
Even if it takes the full output of the Honda generator to achieve 20 mph average, that’s 160 miles per gallon. I think I can find many uses for such a vehicle.
That’s neat, I didn’t know fuel cell units were available commercially. (Should’ve guessed though)
But this unit weighs 100 lb for a 1 kW output. antechius’s link looks more attractive in this respect, but it’s a bit costly, and where do I buy extra hydrogen when I’m on the road? I think I’ll stick with gasoline.
I’d reckon that the most efficient solution would be to just use a small gas engine directly, and forget about the generator/battery/electric motor bit.