Ever see the performance curve of an ND HAIRPIN alternator? At 1,100 alternator rotor RPM the hairpin cranks out 110 amperes. The engine would have to idle at 300 RPM to sag output potential that low.
At 1,100 engine RPM, the hairpin puts out 270 amps. If solid-state switching were coupled to the six phase power redirecting the second and third wave harmonics of the sine wave, the 270 amperes would easily increase to 380 amperes or even more.
Somewhere I read (last night) a report that a new form of lithium storage battery was under trial with THREE TIMES the energy storage of present batteries in the same size package, but with a weight penalty of 150%. Half again as heavy as today's automotive lithium batteries, but offering 3 times the ampere hour storage. I remember reading .05% monthly self discharge values. Siemens is involved so this is no fly by night operation.
These things are going to put the lithium batteries being offered now, on the back burner and prices have to plummet.
Another interesting area is the improvement in efficiency of DC to DC converters. There's talk of a 300 ampere 12 to 48 volt converter (and verse visa). An ALL ELECTRIC RV? Induction cooktop stove?
Fascinating!
