EV and portable gens go together - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Boog** · 03-08-2024, 10:38 AM

We've all seen those memes right?
Yesterday my wife noticed one of those tall sprinter vans next to her at a traffic light with what she first thought was a gas station nozzle sticking out of the side of it. When it pulled away she saw a portable generator in the rear mounted on one of those receiver hitch cargo trays with the cord plugged in.
Yep, they're out there.

**DeadheadNM** · 03-08-2024, 11:19 AM

My brother-in-law early in his engineering career was on a team that literally drove a van mounted generator in So Cal to service the GM EV1.

Keith Seymore · 03-08-2024, 12:25 PM

That's how they did the development of the GM EV1 at the Proving Ground.

Pulled around a little trailer with a generator on it.

It's where the idea for the Volt came from.

K

**Boog** · 03-08-2024, 01:29 PM

Kinda like this.

**Ironhorse** · 03-08-2024, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boog

Kinda like this.

Gotta' Love It, !

72c20customcamper · 03-08-2024, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boog

We've all seen those memes right?
Yesterday my wife noticed one of those tall sprinter vans next to her at a traffic light with what she first thought was a gas station nozzle sticking out of the side of it. When it pulled away she saw a portable generator in the rear mounted on one of those receiver hitch cargo trays with the cord plugged in.
Yep, they're out there.

Could it have been a camper conversion? I don’t think Sprinter vans are available as an EV . I’ve used the generator in the motor home while on the road but it’s built in .

**Boog** · 03-09-2024, 07:20 AM

She said it was one of those "sprinter type" vans so...

**special-K** · 03-09-2024, 07:50 AM

So, rather than use an emissions equipped to federal standards gas-powered engine blowing exhaust through a catalytic convertor, Run an electric motor and gas-powered generator with no emissions equipment that puts out as much pollution as a modern motor vehicle.

I'm no engineer, but why can't electric vehicles run a generator powered by their wheels as they drive?

Keith Seymore · 03-09-2024, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

So, rather than use an emissions equipped to federal standards gas-powered engine blowing exhaust through a catalytic convertor, Run an electric motor and gas-powered generator with no emissions equipment that puts out as much pollution as a modern motor vehicle.

I'm no engineer, but why can't electric vehicles run a generator powered by their wheels as they drive?

It violates the law of conservation of energy and mass.

You can't get back more than you put in.

You can, however, redeem the situation a bit through regenerative braking. Energy gathered during vehicle braking or engine braking can be put back into the battery pack.

K

Dead Parrot · 03-09-2024, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

That's how they did the development of the GM EV1 at the Proving Ground.

Pulled around a little trailer with a generator on it.

It's where the idea for the Volt came from.

K

A friend has a Volt. For him, it is a nice vehicle. Full EV for most OKC area trips. Charges at home. No range issues when he visits his daughter who lives in the DFW area. He bought it used for a good price as the previous owner had concerns about the battery pack. One thing he has to track is how old the gas is if it has been a while since making a trip to the daughter's place.

62c30 · 03-09-2024, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boog

We've all seen those memes right?
Yesterday my wife noticed one of those tall sprinter vans next to her at a traffic light with what she first thought was a gas station nozzle sticking out of the side of it. When it pulled away she saw a portable generator in the rear mounted on one of those receiver hitch cargo trays with the cord plugged in.
Yep, they're out there.

I assume like this? I seen this a couple years ago I wondered if it was an EV or a camper.

**special-K** · 03-09-2024, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

It violates the law of conservation of energy and mass.

You can't get back more than you put in.

You can, however, redeem the situation a bit through regenerative braking. Energy gathered during vehicle braking or engine braking can be put back into the battery pack.

K

I'm no engineer. I thought there could be like a dual system with an isolator and gearing off the wheel to spin the generator faster than the wheel

Keith Seymore · 03-09-2024, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

I'm no engineer. I thought there could be like a dual system with an isolator and gearing off the wheel to spin the generator faster than the wheel

That could work, but I think you'll find you generate enough energy to run a fan or something small.

K

**truckster** · 03-09-2024, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

I'm no engineer. I thought there could be like a dual system with an isolator and gearing off the wheel to spin the generator faster than the wheel

It would violate both the first and second laws of thermodynamics. You would have to have a system with zero heat loss - none whatsoever, and even then it could only power itself. It couldn't propel anything else - like a vehicle or a passenger.

**special-K** · 03-09-2024, 07:23 PM

Can electric cars be charged with a generator? Isn't that what these vehicles are doing? Not questioning the science. Just want to understand. Are these generators on vans to run refrigeration to not rob the batteries of charge needed to power the vehicle?

72c20customcamper · 03-09-2024, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 62c30

I assume like this? I seen this a couple years ago I wondered if it was an EV or a camper.

Camper roof air and vents. They don’t unplug because the generator has a remote start . My Champion 3500 generator has a wireless remote to start it

03-08-2024, 10:38 AM	#1
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 12,957	EV and portable gens go together We've all seen those memes right? Yesterday my wife noticed one of those tall sprinter vans next to her at a traffic light with what she first thought was a gas station nozzle sticking out of the side of it. When it pulled away she saw a portable generator in the rear mounted on one of those receiver hitch cargo trays with the cord plugged in. Yep, they're out there. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

03-08-2024, 11:19 AM	#2
DeadheadNM Carpe manana Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Eau Claire, WI Posts: 12,285	Re: EV and portable gens go together My brother-in-law early in his engineering career was on a team that literally drove a van mounted generator in So Cal to service the GM EV1. __________________ 1972 K5 CST Highlander Blazer: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=708547 1972 K20 Cheyenne Super: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=528308 Members met: ORANGBLAZ, 2003 silverado, MikeCofield, BB72CHEVKT, Duncan&Son, Sameyrasmea72, THENEWMEXICAN, HotRod C/10, brianthelion02, Sport/Truck, ryanroo, michael bustamante, Dirt's72, Already Gone, WestButteTruck, 57taskforce, Moreyel, painterljp, AASmedic, SoCoC10, Lumaestas, carbuff382, Chevyland

03-08-2024, 12:25 PM	#3
Keith Seymore Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Motor City Posts: 9,149	Re: EV and portable gens go together That's how they did the development of the GM EV1 at the Proving Ground. Pulled around a little trailer with a generator on it. It's where the idea for the Volt came from. K __________________ Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/

03-08-2024, 01:29 PM	#4
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 12,957	Re: EV and portable gens go together Kinda like this. Attached Images __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

03-09-2024, 07:20 AM	#7
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 12,957	Re: EV and portable gens go together She said it was one of those "sprinter type" vans so... __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

03-09-2024, 07:50 AM	#8
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: EV and portable gens go together So, rather than use an emissions equipped to federal standards gas-powered engine blowing exhaust through a catalytic convertor, Run an electric motor and gas-powered generator with no emissions equipment that puts out as much pollution as a modern motor vehicle. I'm no engineer, but why can't electric vehicles run a generator powered by their wheels as they drive? __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

03-09-2024, 07:23 PM	#15
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: EV and portable gens go together Can electric cars be charged with a generator? Isn't that what these vehicles are doing? Not questioning the science. Just want to understand. Are these generators on vans to run refrigeration to not rob the batteries of charge needed to power the vehicle? __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~



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