S4 E37. It works!... We finish and road test the gasoline / electric golf cart hybrid

PATREON / robotcantina
Season 4 Episode 37. Jimbo completely eliminates the original batteries in an electric golf cart and installs a 212cc gasoline engine and a heavy duty alternator to re-power the vintage Cushman. Will this gasoline /electric "petroleum battery" work?... tun in and find out.
Send fan mail to;
Robot Cantina
207 S. Sedgwick Ave
P.O. Box 28
Haven KS, 67543

[@KingJellyfishII]

Definitely continue, I am fascinated by how the field windings of the alternator are being used to control the power output. a very simple and clever design.

[@sumduma55]

I second this. Continue. I'm also interested in how much the lower voltages will increase heat issues on both the alternator and the motor and how the horsepower translates from the gasoline engine to usable torque through the electric motor - whether it is a direct 1-1 or a lower/higher ratio.

[@francistheodorecatte]

that's exactly how DC diesel-electric locomotives work lol

[@kob8634]

I want to see what part is the first to release the magic smoke EEVBlog is always talking about.

[@maxhammick948]

It's kinda similar to a metadyne (i.e. small control current in one part of a brushed motor controlling a bigger current in the other part)

[@cpm1003]

It's fascinating how such a small amount of power in the rotor windings can control much higher power at the output. Kind of an electro-mechanical amplifier. I agree, continue with this project!

[@RPS2443]

Your 30 second explanation of how the alternator regulator works made it more clear than anything else I've heard in 50-odd years.

[@robotcantina8957]

Thanks, I'm glad that helped you.

[@christopherlenahan3906]

@@robotcantina8957 He's totally right, most tuners in both engine and the car-audio sector just use off the shelf 1 wire units, they make no efforts to make an alternator do what they want. So I've never looked at anything on how to screw with the rotor winding voltage and thus never knew much on it. This was a way outside normal use case for an alt, but I'm surprised I've never seen it.

[@chris5024]

Ehe

[@johanslabbert2869]

3 wheels? Hand-made wood and metal sandwich-construction? Air cooled motor? I believe you sir have built a Morgan! 😌

[@robotcantina8957]

Hmmm, I believe you are right.

[@davelowe1977]

If that's the case, he's driving it in reverse!

[@TotesCray]

Almost as fast too!😂

[@hardergamer]

@@davelowe1977 You beat me too it!

[@alexwoods2836]

This is not a sandwich panel - it is already a composite space material. 😀

[@kristinmedley2573]

Please continue. I had the same 36 volt cart for years and was tired of spending the money on new batteries. They were only supposed to go about 12 mph and you passed it up by 3 mph. This content will save a lot of vintage carts!!!

[@toddmarshall7573]

What made you decide not to just replace the lead acid batteries with LFP batteries?

[@sp90009]

"I am more of a full throttle kind of person" - indeed Sir!

[@ptonpc]

"WITNESS ME!!!!"

[@dannystephenson4855]

@@sp90009 I was thinkin most of us are lol

[@WornOutWelder]

If in dought, floor it!

[@josephcizek7030]

I very much like what you have done so far. I watched this with two of my grandsons, and from what you have done in their minds, have done something that they want to try and build. My neighbor was cleaning out his old warehouse that he used for storage in his lawn care/excavator/landscape business and has gifted me several golf carts, engines, mowers to play with, so we have a lot of good stuff to play with. So Thank You Robert!

[@robotcantina8957]

Glad you found the video helpful. Best of luck with your projects.

[@jlucasound]

OooH! You lucky Boys! I guess Christmas came a little early! May you and your Grandsons have a lot of fun building your project(s)! 😃👍

[@rippatoe50]

Well Jimbo I know you put a lot of effort into making these videos and I hope you are rewarded well because I enjoy watching them very much. Well done.

[@robotcantina8957]

Glad you like them! I make enough to keep the lights on, but that's about it. This channel doesn't generate much revenue because I don't do sponsored videos.

[@davidosburn4042]

​@robotcantina8957 we do love you for that but I'm sure most of us would stay aboard if you decided to take economic advantage of your skills.

[@th3R0b0t]

@@robotcantina8957 I agree with David here, if you have an occasional bag you can grab, you should do so. If anything, as some capital storage for keeping the fun projects going when KZbin fails to send you a check ;)

[@robotcantina8957]

@@davidosburn4042 I will take the right sponsor that has a product that is something I would actually use. I cant bring myself to shill for something I don't use myself. I do get plenty of offers.

[@BeardedFrog]

​​@@robotcantina8957Honestly, as long as the product/service isn't a scam or sketchy, I don't think it really matters. I use sponsorblock or skip over them myself, but I think most people don't really read that much into it anyway. It's just accepted that it's a necessary thing to do for a channel to get funding. I don't think anyone is like "Oh wow Jimbo likes Spishak products!? I'm gonna go buy one myself now!"

[@mceajc]

The technical ability, the time and effort to video and edit this, the humour - all of these, while great, pale into insignificance behind the genius that is "let's try it and find out!". I appreciate you so much, Jimbo, for what we in teh UK call "Boffinry". I salute you.

[@robotcantina8957]

Thank you! We are just having some fun.

[@yadabub]

That alternator mounting is a thing of beauty.

[@davekauffman8727]

I would incorporate springs to tension the belt, but the turnbuckle works well!

[@mohamadasriabdulazid4784]

Enjoy forever.

[@pauls5745]

It's laughable though the alternator costs more than the 212.

[@AngryManSki]

I saw two of the most dangerous cars parked on your property, a Nissan Altima and a Renault. You live on the edge my friend. A true rebel 👍🏾

[@Country_Bubba]

Please continue as this will fulfill the two main criteria that keeps me coming back and looking forward to your videos every weekend. The two criteria you ask, well first is entertainment based on the way you present your information, and the second is education. I always learn new ways to do old things in an easy efficient manner. EG in this one of using a PWM controller instead of a potentiometer! Genius.

[@robotcantina8957]

More to come!

[@StevenIngram]

Another neat little project. And I'm kind of surprised after the reference to it being like an diesel locomotive that you didn't opt for your little diesel engine.

[@goosenotmaverick1156]

I was given a similarly conditioned "hoopty golf cart" when i was about 12, by my neighbors. We put together enoigh batteries to fly around the proprrty at 48v instead of 36 like it was originally. (The battery trays were so rusted we could only get 4 12v in it instead of 6x6v anyway. It was rusty and bent up, but we rode that thing all over the property for a good couple years. Mom even used it to haul garden tools and such across the 4 acres we had, instead of using our ATV. This project brings back such nostalgia and fond memories for the dreams I had for mine. Im still not sure where it ended up. Similar to a lot of the toys I had good memories with, they would occasionally just disappear... lol So in other words, keep going Jimbo, if you want to, I'll be watching. I know a lot of us will. This is a welcome shift from normal content you've been doing. Not that it's not interesting, but different is cool too! Give you a break from working on the same thing week after week, as well. Im sure even the most fun projects can become tedious when forced to work on them in a continuous manner

[@sreekumarUSA]

Sir, thank you, for your thought. Those were the days my friend ( courtesy Boris Fomin (Russian 1900~1948) romantic song. Those days, now we can only reminisce…. Ahhhh “those were the days my friend” courtesy Madam Mary Hopkins…cheers..

[@jlucasound]

@@sreekumarUSA "We Thought they'd Never End..."

[@jlucasound]

Thanks Goose! I Echo your Words. 😄🙂

[@JetSettingBotanist]

Keep this series coming, I love unconventional approaches to things. This scratches an itch I never knew I had

[@joshuagibson2520]

Im not under a 24hr ban this week and so I can express my gratitude for the channel. Thanks RC!

[@robotcantina8957]

Very welcome

[@jamest.5001]

24hr ban, I know how that is! ✌️

[@inspectorraycharles]

I'm usually cage free on weekends thanks to my wife. Carry on

[@awgmax]

@@inspectorraycharles jesus

[@sgtbrown4273]

Welcome to the club, brother 😂

[@YTal5525]

Excellent work! I work in the OEM power supply industry, and I'm also a big gearhead. I really love the project you're working on, and I'd even be willing to donate power supplies to support your cause. Electric vehicles certainly have their place, but I've often pointed out that the large GE train engines provide a great example of how a similar system could work for cars and trucks. My idea is simple: use a "petroleum battery" with enough energy to power the vehicle at highway speeds and run the air conditioning and accessories. A smaller battery could be used to help get the vehicle up to speed and recover braking energy-essentially, what a hybrid does. I believe using a polyphase AC motor and controller would improve efficiency and enable effective braking energy recovery. People overly zealous for the concept of electric cars/trucks have approached for year and I tell them to do the math. Diesel fuel provides 37 kWh per gallon, and gasoline is around 35 kWh per gallon, with both weighing about 7 pounds per gallon. In comparison, you'd need 1,800 pounds of lead-acid batteries or 407.5 pounds of lithium-ion batteries to store the same amount of energy. Were if not for Lithium Electric cars would not make sense, then density is finally getting up to a usable range. Keep up the good work, let me know if a DC/DC converter or an Inverter would help your cause. But whatever you do keep having fun. :)

[@robotcantina8957]

Wow, I appreciate the offer! At this point in the project, I think I'm set. and I need to focus on the controls.

[@vladimirbondaletov2767]

Я установил на чешский трактор электро мотор BLDS 5 киловатт и батарею 48 вольт 100ач.Сейчас думаю, как поставить небольшой генератор для подзарядки батареи. Автор ролика зря отказался от использования аккумуляторов. Гибрид имеет ряд преимуществ.

[@Fra-gee-lay]

Ive been wanting to do a small scale version of this concept since i was in middle school. Im glad someone is out here doing all the stuff i cant affprs to do.

[@nuttyDesignAndFab]

go to the local pick and pull lol

[@Fra-gee-lay]

@nuttyDesignAndFab part of that afford bit is affording the space for a project.

[@jlucasound]

@@Fra-gee-lay Very Good Point. 👍

[@Ocean_breezes]

What an awesome project. As a retired Test Engineer, what you have done makes me smile. Your explanation of the motor control was well done

[@Dodgeram1500hd]

Imagine if we had teachers like this in modern day education systems

[@robotcantina8957]

thanks!

[@davewilson4957]

@@Dodgeram1500hd I have to believe this nation would be better off

[@larryhimes6224]

Really cool that this essentially replicated the paradigm of an "electric" "Diesel" locomotive! I've thought about using a small generator on a bike trailer to recharge an electric touring bike - sort of a hybrid (since there would still be a battery involved.) However, eliminating an expensive & complicated Rolloff shift hub or a Mid-Frame bike gear box w/a controlled motor would be more(?) affordable & sort of rad. . . Thanks for all you do. Sort of "scratches my itch" concerning CVTs, low tech, diesel in cars, etc., etc.! :)

[@mastercricket7626]

I would have stayed in school 😅

[@Hosstache]

Wow and no koolaid hair too!!!! What would that be like!!!!

[@JerryWick]

Im with you Jimbo, im a full throttle guy on these type of projects. If I was your co-pilot I probably would have ramped the voltage way up and gotten the cart to a speed where it would make both of us a little bit afraid for our lives and then backed it off lol! Looking forward to future installments!

[@wallyhare8616]

My favorite time of the week. To see jumbos shenanigans. 😂

[@mdsuave13]

This is awesome repurpose of an old battery golf cart. These things are all around and just sitting rotting away in government facilities and garages of factories... This makes them actually useful. I hope you offer instructions for people to build these one day. VERY COOL.

[@thomasbonnett2283]

Great project, excited to see more. I have the same Cushman cart and refuse to buy 6 6 volt batteries. I plan on copying your build with my own twist in the future. Thanks Jimbo for your inspiration

[@mmllmmll22]

How about gettin 3 12v batteries? Are they in series? Like 36v system for motor. Then You migh be fine with 3 12v instead of 6 6v ones.

[@Emenblade]

I mean them 6v batteries are expensive as all heck.

[@HA05GER]

​@@mmllmmll22get 3 12v hell you can get a 12v lithium 100ah for $200 now. I know in UK lead acid batteries are cheap I bought a new one for my diesel car the other day it was £53 around 60 dollars.

[@onegreenev]

@@mmllmmll22 6v batteries are deep cycle for golf carts that will give you more mileage. Better to convert to LiFePO4 batteries. Less weight. More usable battery and long life and zero maintenance batteries. Charge the same as lead acid without any issues. Simple charge controllers and solar will do the job of keeping it charged. I’ve kept the motor but putting in a modern controller and using 48v vs 36. More juice more distance and full modern control of the motor. I like the idea presented here in this video. A good use for my little diesel engine. I have everything except the alternator and mount. I can afford those no problem.

[@phoschnizzle826]

"French cars make great anchors!" 🤣 Truer words were never spoken. Love the concept and the straight-forward explanation of the process.

[@thomasexeter97]

You should add a wood gas generator and have a sawdust powered golfcart

[@BigBeavrSlayer]

Oof, sawdust is such a pain to use. Charcoal would be the ideal fuel source for that small of a system

[@JohnChrysostom101]

Make saw dust bricks

[@BigBeavrSlayer]

@ still to difficult for daily driver needs, you really need a healthy charcoal bed to crack tars and sawdust just doesn’t get there

[@Jase0001]

Using a gasifier would be awesome. I thought about using a gasifier on mini bike motor or some sort of engine!

[@amazing_bobson]

I can see a petroleum battery powered 3 wheel golf cart speed record at Bonneville in the future.....well maybe not. Yes, keep it going! Fun to watch!!! 👍

[@WilliamLaakkonen]

Awesome project - your channel reminds me so much of my childhood- at age 10 to 13 my brothers and I would sneak in to the USN junkyard and liberate various items no longer needed by Uncle Sam, bring them home, and cook up projects of my own making- some of which actually worked- like a steam powered tandem bicycle and several radio projects using parts salvaged from surplus radios, dynamos, and various junk. I am pretty sure I was the only 10 year old with an oscilloscope of his own in 1973- and the adventures continued when I discovered getting a ham radio license to legally operate those radios I was putting together. Thankfully the ham who discovered my projects saw some potential rather than an enforcement action for the FCC. Cheers and thanks for the brain food!

[@BeardedFrog]

I've been subbed since the first street legal go car-t days. I find all your weird, silly projects, and your approach to them to always be entertaining. I would REALLY like to see you do a twin charge setup on one of your "cars" someday though. Or perhaps a hybrid system (that adds power from both).

[@marksutton9085]

"If we break something we will certainly know the limits of what it will take." Said the engineer/hot rodder.

[@delandbrooks3291]

Hot Rodding, Off roading, and almost all motorsports are basically building something and then hammering on it until it tells you want the next upgrade has to be.

[@patrickbodine1300]

Elon Musk does that exact thing with his rockets etc.

[@richardthomas9263]

I like how you explain things simply, for us. No need to over complicate things, if they work.

[@mfbfreak]

Edison Motors getting into the golf cart business?

[@MisfitzMotorsportsGarage]

hahah

[@AddictedtoProjects]

You have a knack for presenting something quite complex in a very simple and easily digestable manner. That takes true skill and intelligence!

[@andrewsallee6044]

I love this series. I am not the level of tinkerer that you are, but this is something I feel like i could tackle. I will enjoy watching every episode even if I never touch a wrench. Thanks.

[@nickmac5953]

Definitely continue. I have an old golf cart I’m excited to mess with after watching you get started. Thanks for the great episode!

[@robotcantina8957]

Will do!

[@PetesCreativeRecycling]

I was totally going to panic until you said not to panic. Whew! Thanks for that! Now I can get back to my bowl of Cap'n Crunch.

[@robotcantina8957]

No need to panic.... until you run out of Captain Crunch.

[@PsRohrbaugh]

I get you're going for KISS, so others can replicate this project. I think moving forward in that direction for now is good. You've made a functional vehicle for extremely low cost, and there's lots of room in that direction. But I'm thinking about that 0-60, er 0-15 performance! That startup current surge is the electric motor trying to produce gobs of torque, and torque = fun. With $100 - $200 of super capacitors, your problem would be wheelspin. Once you've finished "phase one", consider a constant-voltage DC bus in the 40-60v range with some 500 - 1000 farad supercaps in series and an automatic voltage regulator on the alternator. Then a DC motor controller. The caps I'm looking at right now are 2.7v 600F for $11, and have a peak current of 400 amps (which they can provide instantly unlike a battery), which would really let you "dump the clutch". Who knows - you might even pop a wheelie! Just my 2¢

[@robotcantina8957]

Thanks so much!. The problem with the caps is there is no where in the circuit I could put them. I would have to switch them into the circuit briefly on acceleration, but after that they would interfere with the system.

[@Samsquanch6969]

7:58 "let's make it happen. So right away we have a problem"😂

[@bdaman80x2]

Yes please continue. These kinds of things are fun to watch. Giving me an idea to look for a broken down electric golf cart for the same type of project

[@robotcantina8957]

will do!

[@thomasknobbe4472]

Definitely keep going, Reddy Kilowatt would certainly approve. You are bringing electric propulsion to rural America, after all. I love the way the entire neighborhood runs into their houses and watches in terror from behind their curtains when they hear you coming by.

[@robotcantina8957]

LOL, The neighbors have gotten used to hearing some sort of lawnmower engine struggling as it goes down the road.

[@jafquist27]

Reddy Kilowatt! I was wondering if anyone else knew who that was on the sticker.

[@ctlucy4me]

Reddy Kilowatt with a switch blade, a real killer! Lol

[@scotth9881]

I like it, and hope you continue. I always thought there would be a way to fix these electric carts without buying all the expensive batteries. And they can be picked up really cheap when the batteries fail.

[@TSRGarage]

Posted 5 minutes ago, I'm late refill coffee ☕️... press play - like👍 and comment. My day is complete 😂. Edit: "Ya know French cars make great ⚓️ anchors" 🤣🤣🤣🤣 the best jokes a true facts.

[@robotcantina8957]

LOL, so true.

[@grahammonk8013]

@@robotcantina8957 Hold on there Sparky! I was the proud owner of a Citroen Visa way back when. Think of it as a 2CV with a 5 door body. A great example of doing a lot with not much. In the future I would like buy and import a "new" 2CV, which you can still get from various purveyors of 2CV parts. Better than the original.

[@ezekielfranklin7799]

Dude, I love you! You know very well how to do what you do! Your mixture of humor and fact exemplifies the best of entertainment and education lol.

[@bobirving6052]

I like it! This project has already given me an idea how to fix a vehicle that keeps killing alternators when it charges over 15 volts. Also, it’s great to have a golf cart for trips in town!

[@GIGABACHI]

Jimbo and Co-Pilot, you're a public menace ! 😂👍 Great job, looking forward to more.

[@tracymalwitz4351]

This is awesome. I have an old electric golf cart I may try this. Thank you!

[@chadsmith1092]

As my browser is filled with race cars, crazy horsepower engines, and engineering marvels. This tasty little treat popped into my feed. And I must say this is one of the coolest projects I've seen in a long time. Super cool video, and thank you for sharing. Looking forward to it's further development 👍😎

[@tl1024]

Love the project, definitely continue. As a 17 year golf cart mechanic, i can say that cart was a "hooptie" 20 years ago. Also, spinning that 36v motor at 36v with no load is definitely risking overspeeding the motor, i usually use a 12v car jumpstarter to test motors with no load. And that motor will live happily on 48v (maybe more) if you decide to push it that far, just dont do it with the wheels off the ground.

[@LG-fb9yt]

I wish I knew electricity more than I do cause the stuff I want to know makes my head swim (or maybe that's because I been shocked so many times or how significantly some times.. true story lol) Can you explain why not test it with wheels in the air? Rpms shouldnt hurt the electric motor with no load neither under or over volted I would think.. maybe the differential might not be happy going too fast since it's not high speed rear-end etc.. just my thinkin..

[@noyopacific]

I'd encourage you to keep fooling around with the golf cart to see what you can do with it, because it's entertaining. Thanks for the video Jimbo !!!

[@silverfin198]

"if we break something, we'll certainly know the limits of what this thing can take." -Robot Cantina

[@indylmc]

It's just keeps getting better. Your engineering background really makes these videos interesting. Keep it coming and keep my mind off the state of the world we're in.

[@jeremypilot1015]

Definitely need to continue that's a fun project. new wheels and tires, floor plate out of shinny diamond plate, big washing machine motor, yeah this thing could be lots of fun, see if you can hit +45MPH

[@dragonhealer7588]

@@jeremypilot1015 Absolutely! But after moving it to a 4 wheel cart. Can't risk losing our favorite content creator!

[@dans_Learning_Curve]

I'm fairly new to your channel. This is the kind of content I'm looking for! Thank you for your efforts! Back in 1974, when I was in 5th grade, probably 10 years old, I wanted to design a remote car starter! I told my class mates about it. I thought they were ignoring me! A few months ago, I figured out I that I was completely over their heads!

[@twocvbloke]

Ain't going to lie, I was kind of expecting the magic smoke to escape on the first test on the road, and I'm pretty impressed that it was doing so well and not straining to do its' thing, nice work, and definitely keep this build going, it'll be fun seeing how much more you can get out of it... :D

[@MisfitzMotorsportsGarage]

same here!

[@nd4spd81]

I think you should continue mainly because you have the best junk pile ever. If you continue this project, it will make it more fair for the rest of us. Keep up the awesome content.

[@thomasexeter97]

1990s Chrysler alternators are externally regulated, that might make them easier to tinker with

[@omegarugal9283]

that one is, it always get full voltage, the ecu grounds the rotor winding to drive the voltage down

[@KR-hg8be]

You have solved my own sketchy old golf cart power problem!

[@Dirty_Bits]

This is the kind of content I expect to see on KZbin! I'm looking forward to seeing the alternator melt on the acceleration test! 😂

[@robotcantina8957]

You and me both!

[@wdixon27]

@@robotcantina8957 maybe enhance the cooling of said motor controller, a fan on the pulley and maybe a 3d printed cowl couldn't hurt

[@PixelProProductions1]

Please continue. KZbin needs more content like this. Also, I have been watching yours since day one and I am most intrigued by this project.

[@robotcantina8957]

Thank you!

[@lynnlandin7561]

Your setup is definitely more efficient than the 1960's era two wheeled electric go cart from Popular Mechanics which used a homemade variable series resistor for speed control. The resistor was made from a block of carbon and a sliding copper bar. It used a single battery and an automotive starter motor. Range was measured in blocks not miles.

[@mike_oe]

I had a ball watching this episode. The potential of this setup is wild. Imagine a small hydrofoil boat with a submerged motor/prop drive. Sweet!

[@Adam-nv9zo]

This is really interesting. Definitely continue. Great video, as always, Jimbo.

[@JamesDElliott]

Please continue! I've thought about this for years. Love that I can do it vicariously through you. Exellent work!

[@MisfitzMotorsportsGarage]

Good morning, Jimbo! and Happy Sunday from all of us at Misfitz Motorsports and Performance (MMP)! Our coffee cups are charged up, and ready to see this petroleum battery come to life! Have you considered using a buck converter to make the DC driver motor think it’s receiving a different voltage, in addition to the PWM you’re using? That could open up some exciting possibilities! we would be happy to send you one if you would like.

[@robotcantina8957]

Good morning! the project s still evolving, the PWM controller I'm using may actually be more than enough voltage and current. The sluggish throttle response is due to the throttle knob being awkward to turn fast enough. We will be working on that this week.

[@MisfitzMotorsportsGarage]

Oh, I understand completely, especially after watching your detailed breakdown! That makes total sense. I was thinking, though-if you were to use a buck converter inline between the battery and the PWM, it could 'trick' the PWM into always thinking it's receiving the proper voltage, regardless of the actual battery state. This way, you’d have direct and consistent control over speed through the PWM/throttle design. I’ve tried a similar setup with a long-range drone that had no mid-flight recharge capabilities. Same drone, same battery-without the buck converter, I’d get 15 minutes of flight time on a 250g 7-inch. With the buck converter? Up to 35 minutes of full GPS, video, and control until the battery was done. It made a huge difference! (Thank God for LiFe Batteries) Lead-acid batteries, while reliable, tend to experience voltage drops as they discharge, which can impact the performance of devices relying on a consistent voltage input-like your petroleum battery design. A buck converter can address this by stepping down the input voltage to a stable level that the PWM controller can consistently manage, regardless of fluctuations in the battery's output. By ensuring the PWM controller always receives an optimal voltage, the buck converter can improve the efficiency and responsiveness of the throttle design. It prevents the system from underperforming during periods of lower battery voltage while allowing the controller to operate within its ideal parameters. For a design like this, where stable and precise control is critical, a buck converter could maximize runtime and performance, much like it does in drones or other high-demand applications. This would enhance the overall user experience and system durability. feel free to shoot me an email [e-mail]. It would be great to speak on this further

[@gavster89]

Nicely done Jimbo, the simplicity of the system is its elegance 😊

[@tahustvedt]

The more death trap a car is, the more fun it is to drive. That's why I'm trying to find a Lotus Europa.

[@johncrawford6571]

Ha, ha! Remember the soap box derby cars? This reminds me of putting a mini bike engine in one of those! They went uphill just as fast as downhill! Also, it is not too stable with no suspension. The cause of a few incidents of road rash! Carry on, buddy! Uhmm . . Minus the road rash if you can help it! If not, welcome to the club! Lolololol! Looking forward to the next episode in this chapter!

[@trevortrevortsr2]

I'm very impressed - I thought about this to make my stationary engine move a canal boat with a trolling motor

[@53Ericd]

Yes, please show more on this project. My Brother-in-law has a nice golf cart that the batteries have gone bad. This would be an excellent upgrade for his. Thanks for posting your results.

[@monstercameron]

Ive been waiting for you to work on a hybrid setup. would love to see this moved into a car with capacitor/battery storage as an energy cache. Would also love to see you tackle an ecvt build

[@jfv65]

I believe you could buy such a car, it was called a bmw i3. It's basically a BEV but it has a 2cil motorbike engine (aka Range Extender aka REX) that drives an alternator to (re)charge the (buffer) battery.

[@monstercameron]

@ I know all the high level products and technology. I know the diff between a series and a parallel hybrid, toroidal, belt driven cvt and an ecvt. The fun in this channel is building the parts from scratch. I wanna see the design decisions and interesting ideas around this kind of project

[@monstercameron]

@ I can rattle of range extending hybrids off the top of my head, Nissan kicks e power(e power brand is mostly in Asia), Mazda mx30, fisker Karma, I wanna say Chevy volt but that might have a parallel mode, most of them with ecvts have a parallel mode

[@eformance]

I find this concept fascinating. I didn't expect the series hybrid with the alternator to be as effective as it is. I built a trike with one of these motors and a Miata rear end almost 15 years ago, and it was powered with 4 batteries. I never completed the project but I have always wanted to resurrect it into something of a farm vehicle with 4WD. This gives me ideas...

[@SidneyCritic]

I would get bucket seats, ie, sliding off a flat seat in a corner is how I broke my collar bone - lol -.

[@trekkie1701e]

It would tip over before you pulled enought lateral gs to slide out.

[@glumpy10]

Love the concept of the petroleum battery! I do a lot with solar and Forklift batteries these days but I also have a number of diesel generators I have built which I run off Veg oil. I look at every 200L drum as a 2000KWH battery and an IBC as a 10,000 KWH battery being the energy potential stored in the oil. IF you put a gallon of fuel in the engine, that's a 38KWh battery. Much more than the originals that's for sure. It's also nice and refreshing to see someone doing a low cost project using traditional fuels than spending a fortune on going all electric. Well done!

[@Orbacron]

If you could make 48 volts, would be ideal. Actually if you made 60 volts it would be quite sporty for a golf cart

[@GarthKlaus]

John Deere 2500E Greens/Tmower uses a 48V alternator to spin the reels. I know that Jacobsen also makes an Electric Hybrid mower.

[@zeitgeist57]

I have an old Club Car that I was going to convert the electric powertrain to gas…but knowing the electric motor is good I’d be very interested in seeing this develop further and possibly replicate it myself.

[@Terran.Marine.2]

Does the exhaust pipe quiet it down noticibly?

[@Spudz76]

This thing runs on Watts therefore the actual volts are less relevant. It would be 36-48V on batteries because they simply can't internally handle a draw of high amps, and are chemically limited to a fixed voltage. But this alternator can do around 2000W (on the label, maybe more) which can be any ratio of volts to amps. The drive motor doesn't care although higher amps could plasmafy the brushes or foul the commutator or other interconnects I guess. But the test drive showed around 1777W (39.7V * 44.77A). Having 48V would only lower the current to 37A, big whoop. Achieved sportiness of more volts with batteries has more to do with getting more Watts without overshooting the Amps and melting them internally (or fouling the plates). All that really matters is Watts without melting something.

[@Orbacron]

@Spudz76 I'd like to see the torque with an ambulance or a semi truck alternator output! Version2 😃

[@billbayer5526]

This is great. I'm happy to have found this and that you did it. I've been doing EV conversions for 10yrs and recently started doing 48v conversions to lawn tractors. I have no intention of making my tractors into a hybrid (the whole idea of converting them was to get rid of the engine) but the proof of concept is great. Eventually, you need to see how far you can travel on a gallon of gas for a mpg/efficiency rating. Keep it up!

[@hotrodlincolnx]

Its time for my favorite Sunday morning show!

[@haydenc2742]

So awesome! Definitely going to need a arduino based PWM controller to adjust the voltage to the alternator! This could so easily be converted to a DC to charge controller for 24-36vdc for off grid solar/wind, this way at what 1100~RPM of the "petroleum battery" at high idle vs the 3600 at WOT fuel usage would be much less and still be able to charge a battery wall for off grid use, and/or pushing a golf cart with a few hundred lbs of humans down the road at a respectable speed. Can't wait to see what else you come up with! Keep em coming!!!!

[@MostlyInteresting]

The arduino could coordinate the throttle like the locos do, by demand. if the amps are low, low rpm. smack the throttle into RUN 8 and its WOT on the engine.

[@haydenc2742]

@@MostlyInteresting Yup...with a delay to allow the engine to spin up the RPM's before raising the coil volts increasing the load on the engine, which could be done in tenths of seconds but still be stable and controllable, maintaining efficiency w/o undue stress on the engine

[@GW2_Live]

Continue, because this is amazing, hilarious, and super fun!

[@manytrickpony695]

Why you should... because we are watching you have fun. And we can live vicariously through you.

[@somethingelsehere8089]

AKA Series Hybrid. Enjoying the videos. Thank you.

[@blendpinexus1416]

not quite. that requires a battery in the middle. but it is a really cool idea that imma copy myself.

[@Shenkosky]

My 2001 F350 has a 400 Amp alternator I have set up to a 4000 watt inverter under my back seat. I have yet to find a way to max it out with my needs. Sure I have to run my 6.8L V10 to use it but I'm normally not able to weld or use my plasma torch otherwise so it's definitely way better than having a giant generator in the back of my truck.

[@dadsfriendlyrobotcompany]

I love this type of hybrid electric vehicle! Next you need to use the battery to also create hydrogen through electrolysis of water to then burn it in the engine to spin the alternator to drive the motor. Now you just eliminated its emissions

[@des7567]

You could run a hybrid hydrogen gas feed from a electrolyzed water tank into the cylinder that motor will run cooler, quieter and cleaner with more torque only water vapor out the exhaust, green energy close loop you can power your house with it when your not golfing. Sell the carbon credits save the planet 😂

[@craigseary2368]

This is why i watch the channel, its all different and fascinating, keep it up

[@robotcantina8957]

Thanks, will do!

[@CrustyShackleford]

What about all the energy that is lost between the local power plant and the battery when its charging? You've cut out a few miles of wire and quite a few transformers... Your setup looks pretty efficient to me!

[@bobirving6052]

How dare you suggest that electric power isn’t perfect and clean and free.

[@robotcantina8957]

Indeed, I reckon the loss percentage between the power plant and my outlet is much greater than the percentage of loss between the petroleum battery and the dc motor.

[@goosenotmaverick1156]

Losses are lower at extremely high voltages they're transmitting at comparatively. It's not perfect by any means but it's not much comparatively. The efficiency isn't necessarily gained with less losses, it's about the thermal efficiency of energy production that makes the largest difference. When doing something like this, you have to consider all the associated vehicles, other fuel, etc, to refine, transport and fill up your tank with a petroleum product. None of it is perfect, and their losses are generally shown in a different area when comparing smaller generation with larger generation.

[@nerd1000ify]

Small engine efficiency is usually rather awful compared to a large thermal plant burning the same fuel. Even a lousy thermal power plant gets 30% thermal efficiency. A small engine like the predator probably manages about 15%. That's a big gap to make up. On the other hand, the charging efficiency of the reaction battery on a golf cart probably isn't all that good...

[@bugie7872]

Please keep going with the project. For longer I've been thinking of a hybrid go kart and all this information is excellent

[@Truss776]

Keep going with this goofy golf cart because i like to see old junk live again

[@grandyhynes1636]

Chuckled the whole way through, thank you. Petroleum battery- beautiful phrasing 😂

[@TotesCray]

Thanks for another fun project!

[@bwalker4194]

“French cars make great anchors”😂😂. I almost spit out my morning tea!

[@Dis-Emboweled]

That's interesting that you never got past 40 amps. Seeing the cart pull the Renault at 1rpms makes sense though, but its good to see the thing working. I wonder how small a motor you could go? Could you spin the alternator fast enough with a chainsaw motor? What about the tortured diesel motor from this summer? Grear video Jimbo!

[@robotcantina8957]

I did see 90 amps briefly. Since the "accelerator" knob is awkward and slow to turn, its difficult to ramp up the power quickly.

[@tomp538]

entertaining and educational. the basic concept and descriptions of "how things work" takes me back to shop classes in the 60s. hopefully this will inspire a young viewer to pursue a trade.

[@jordantobins681]

Keep this series going please!!

[@mbox314]

This is definitely one of the most intresting projects I have seen on the tube. You managed to create the second simplest motor driver I could imagine and I see alot of potental in this idea.

[@ProDigit80]

It would be good to have some lithium batteries to act as a buffer, so the motors can temporarily boost power beyond what the alternator can provide.

[@Davide0033]

every time i'm surprised on the fact that he isn't like 25yo, from the voice to the project, i expected him to be much younger. keep going, i love this projects

[@robotcantina8957]

Yeah, I ain't a kid anymore, but I still have fun like a kid.

[@Ultimatebubs]

Hmm.... seems like we're going to have a visit to the "hillbilly proving grounds" for an acceleration test soon. Maybe bring a helmet this time?

[@randypomfret5281]

It seats 2 and has a mid engine. I can't wait to see the performance of this sports car. I enjoy these cool projects - keep them coming.

[@marcinbujok7388]

Love the petroleum battery concept! Thanks for showing how to control speed on the alternator. Awesome project!

[@rjung_ch]

We should continue, not only because it's goofy, but because I'm learning electrical things. 👍💪✌

[@dylanm.3692]

This setup is actually quite efficient, if you dial in the engine right for a single RPM. That's why hybrids get such great fuel economy. Diesel-electric locomotives do actually get a good efficiency gain from this. Though I guess your setup does basically use the motor as an electromagnetic transmission, so I guess the lack of a main battery to draw surge current from would kill the efficiency gain inherent in a hybrid system. And I'd hate to come across as an armchair engineer, so I'll mention that I'm currently designing a go-kart that employs a similar system but with a small battery pack. I'll upload a video when I finish it.

[@victorthecarguy3126]

More progress would be great. Down the road you can make a larger version to use with old electric cars wen the batteries cost way too much to be worth replacing. Maybe a fun use of a chevy volt.

[@dannystephenson4855]

Finally something as intersting as the renault. The renault is my favorite project but we can have some fun with the golf cart for a while. Especially if we can make it go fast!!😂