Camper / Trailer Alternators

Submitted: Friday, Jan 02, 2009 at 11:57
ThreadID: 64727 Views:3746 Replies:5 FollowUps:6
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One for the Electricians and engineers ...

Is there any reason why an Alternator could not be fitted to a CT driven by the trailer wheels ??
Has it been done ?

Just idle curiosity .... its a slow day today !!

Cheers and Happy NY

Steve
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Reply By: Hairy (NT) - Friday, Jan 02, 2009 at 12:09

Friday, Jan 02, 2009 at 12:09
Gday,
Good thought but I reckon there would be better ways of generating power.
1. Solar panel.
2. Larger alternator on your car and charge your camper through your trailer plug.

Remember (asuming youve got conventional trailer suspension)
1. your axle doesnt turn....only the wheel moves
2. the alternator would have to be mounted to your axle so it moves with your wheel travel.
3.It would be mounted in the dust and water
4.What RPM do your wheels spin at compared to your motor?

Are you thinking along the lines of an old pushbike generator?

Cheers
Hairy
AnswerID: 342218

Follow Up By: Boobook2 - Friday, Jan 02, 2009 at 14:00

Friday, Jan 02, 2009 at 14:00
Hairy said "1. your axle doesnt turn....only the wheel moves"

Reminds me of those generators on old bikes for the head lamp. Man they were hard work, and for almost no light output.
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FollowupID: 609931

Reply By: Mandrake - Friday, Jan 02, 2009 at 12:17

Friday, Jan 02, 2009 at 12:17
Hairy ,

Like I said its a slow day and the brain is active - Just wondered if there was a reason for not having one when you have a "free" source of motive power to run it ...

I'm still toiling with the idea of a wind - powered alternator mounted to the CT roof powered by the type of fan used as an exhaust in dog trailers and some older caravans .. RPM is the issue there but i'm sure a few cogs would help ...

When I retire I might give it a go ...

Cheers

Steve

AnswerID: 342219

Follow Up By: Member - Royce- Friday, Jan 02, 2009 at 12:32

Friday, Jan 02, 2009 at 12:32
It wouldn't be 'free' because the energy is provided by the forby engine whether it's driven by a belt in the engine bay or connected to a turning wheel.

Hmmm slow day here too!
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FollowupID: 609909

Follow Up By: Hairy (NT) - Friday, Jan 02, 2009 at 12:55

Friday, Jan 02, 2009 at 12:55
Hahahaha.....
I know were you are coming from mate.
Im always playing with ideas like that myself.

Good luck
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FollowupID: 609918

Follow Up By: Ianw - Friday, Jan 02, 2009 at 15:03

Friday, Jan 02, 2009 at 15:03
You like to play?

Have a look here

Ian
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FollowupID: 609935

Reply By: Mandrake - Friday, Jan 02, 2009 at 15:52

Friday, Jan 02, 2009 at 15:52
Ian ,

I like the idea of the Hamster powered unit - Maybe we could design one with Cane Toad power ??

Seriously though there ought to be enough wind power whilst on the move to run a small fan and alternator setup ...

dreamtime - maybe later this year i'll get a prototype up and spinning ....

Cheers

Steve
AnswerID: 342247

Reply By: Geoff (Newcastle, NSW) - Friday, Jan 02, 2009 at 16:14

Friday, Jan 02, 2009 at 16:14
Something like this?

If you search the forum archives you'll find I drew this in response to some one else's "what if" some years ago.



Geoff

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AnswerID: 342256

Follow Up By: Mick_J - Sunday, Jan 11, 2009 at 03:20

Sunday, Jan 11, 2009 at 03:20
I like the bit about grey hair and baldness.......lol
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FollowupID: 611473

Reply By: Maîneÿ (wa) - Friday, Jan 02, 2009 at 16:27

Friday, Jan 02, 2009 at 16:27
Yes, it IS a slow day...

what would you use when camped, with wheels NOT turning ??

Design a simple wind generator, using a small Alternator :)

Mainey . . .
AnswerID: 342259

Follow Up By: Member - Agroe (WA) - Friday, Jan 02, 2009 at 17:27

Friday, Jan 02, 2009 at 17:27
Has any body seen the wind generators that aussie rv are selling. Any one used one . Suppsedly 4amps @ twenty knots. There is a ad for it in thewestern angler. there is more wind than hamsters in west aus cheers agroe
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FollowupID: 609949

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