Human hybrid E-trike - controller. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: KrisBendix
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2017, 04:57:13 pm
content: Hi.I have a project in mind. Basically, it is the Raht Racer type of vehicle. Can google it for more info. Instead of a chain, the leg power is transferred through a generator to motor.I want to use as many ready-to-use parts as possible. So the motor controller, motor itself and most other parts should be available already on the market.A guy here shows how you can build a pedal generator.Not sure if the pedaling is controlling the motor directly, but that is what I want to achieve.The pedal cadence to motor RPM controls should be easy enough:1. Have a 500W hub motor as the generator (no reason to go higher, since the limitation is the human strength, not the vehicle's power).2. Use Arduino or another controller to get the RPM from hub-motor generator (most of them should have a hall-effect sensor?) and then have an output to an existing motor controller. This way the generator system would be independent power-wise from the motor and its controller.It would need two main inputs - on one hand pedaling to wheel rpm ratio and on the other hand the electric load on the pedal generator.Andthe last one is a little bit bigger problem right now for me.How do I efficiently manage the pedal generated power to recharge the batteries or directly power the motor? Existing motor controllers can have a break regen option, but I'm not sure if that can be modified to use an on-board generator.One idea I have is to use fewultra-capsas a temporary storage and then switch between batteries and caps. Have to remember that the load on the generator must be adjustable on one handlebar.I know this problem probably have been solved elsewhere by someone, but I want to come up with more or less open source solution that can be used with existing controllers, by me or others.I hope I described it well enough.Any suggestions and ideas are welcome. As long as it results in a reliable, efficient and functional system.P.S. In case anyone has any doubts about this human series hybrid - At least my idea is not to build a substitute for a chained bike, but rather have a human-powered range extender for an EV. And therefore it should be treated a such. In my case, I would be maximizing the possible range of the vehicle. Many other advantages of this can be discussed, but maybe not here.

author: KrisBendix
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2017, 12:38:17 pm
content: To keep it live. I did some thinking a bit...Pinpointing the problem - I have voltage from the generator and I need to get it to batteries and/or motor. Was thinking that I would need some fancy regulator, but electricity just wants to flow to the path of least resistance, right? So, technically I could just connect the generator to batteries before motor controller in parallel. Maybe use some diodes if needed and some sort of MOSFET arrangement to regulate the load on the generator (from Arduino).I'm less than beginner honestly when it comes to electronics. That is why I'm asking here.Any suggestions?The max power of the generator shouldn't exceed 500W. In reality, it purely depends on the persons fitness. Some athletes could have a burst of 2kW for few seconds, maybe. Normally people pedal at 100-150W.