[Qmavam]

Each turn of the pedals would turn the generator about 10 times. Depending on how I gear it. I could get as much as 40 to 1 but fear that pedalling would be much to difficult under any load. 60 pedals per minute is a standard leisurely amount I figure. That would be 600 rpms for the generator. That would add up to 48v at just a leisurely pedalling frequency. So the main question is the load capacity. It is a fairly high wind turbine motor that recommends a 75 amp blocking diode. The diode is supposed to prevent current from backing up into the generator. Would this prevent or at least decrease the load factor? Without the batteries, the speed of the pedalling would determine the speed of the tribe. That would make for a much simpler setup obviously. I've watched videos with this motor and 48v appears to give about 50 mph. Not bad for a leisurely cruise.

I don't think your legs are strong enough! Let's say your system is 80%
efficient, and you only want to get half the power your motor will deliver.
That's 4 hp out, with an input of 5 hp, how long can you put out 5 hp?
The motor is designed to put out 8 hp continuously, (I hope).
You could probably get 12 or 15 hp on a peak demand.
Put in some batteries, then if you want to pedal to supply some
charge to the batteries you can, but it won't be much.
I think it will be a strange sensation to pedal your fastest and not
have the bike speed increase.
MikeK

 

[Qmavam]

You do your normal driving and your ride along companion does all the pedaling. You could greatly extend your driving range and maybe your wife will shed a few pounds in the process. Sounds like a win win to me I just hope my wife doesn't read this.

Ya, my wife might shed a few pounds and your wife may not be happy
with you riding with my wife!
MikeK

 

[Qmavam]

Sorry MikeK. I didn't mean to imply that your wife needed to shed a few pounds. That's certainly how it read though. I meant our wives in general. I'm starting to think the parallel suggestion seems like the way to go. I appreciate everyone's help but still no answer to the blocking diode factor. Just wandering. If it's job is to block power from draining back into the generator, would it not block the load? Or some of the load?

I was just trying to be funny about the wives. (maybe it didn't work
I would think a generator would be a load if the output voltage is lower than the battery voltage. But it seems to me it will not be as simple as you want to make it. You would probably need a regulator for the generator. I think alternators are better at low rpm (research that) and they have built in diodes.
You sound like you want to run the motor without a controller, again I think you are trying to over simplify.
Everything you want to do can be done, but you need to keep reading and learning to see how it can be done.
I have seen some projects using motors and controllers used in R/C cars,
planes and helicopters that look good. The prices are cheaper for the R/C units. That might be a starting point.
I followed this group a couple of years ago when I wanted build an electric gokart. I picked up enough to build the cart shown here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MKjbXltAew
I have since installed the deep cycle batteries and just recently put on a
new motor. I finally let the smoke out of the old one.
MikeK