Hi
I own a 30kw micro gas turbine generator known as a Capstone c30. See-
http://www.gasturbineworld.co.uk/microturbineguide.html
We also have an aging Nissan leaf, I wonder what the possibilities are for fitting the generator to the car to act as a range extender? There are many technical challenges and I wonder how the car would react to a source of charge whist it is in motion and whether it could be sensibly adapted?
Regards
Ian
Micro Gas Turbine Range Extender
Leak range extender
Hi
Is it possible to re-chareg the battery whilst the car is in motion, i.e. put current (up to 100A) back in to the battery pack to extend the range and or augment the supply to the motor?
Like this?

How would the car react?
Cheers
Ian
Is it possible to re-chareg the battery whilst the car is in motion, i.e. put current (up to 100A) back in to the battery pack to extend the range and or augment the supply to the motor?
Like this?

How would the car react?
Cheers
Ian
- Kevin Sharpe
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Re: Leak range extender
Yes, it's called regenerative braking.
This is a personal post and I disclaim all responsibility for any loss or damage which any person may suffer from reliance on the information and material in this post or any opinion, conclusion or recommendation in the information and material.
Re: Micro Gas Turbine Range Extender
I have tried this on two EV, and it didn't work.
The first was Ranger EV, it give current sensor failure if current draw from battery/motor differs more than 30A
Second was Toyota RAV4 EV, this one did only tolerate 8-10A difference.
But when upgraded with openinverter and new BMS, then you can do what you want
You could test this with simulating current.
You need to find the DC current sensor and put a wire 10 times around, connect a variable CC power source. Then it's easy to see when/if it will give error.
You could connect generator directly to HV battery bypassing the current sensor, but then you will have trouble with SOC and voltage.
The first was Ranger EV, it give current sensor failure if current draw from battery/motor differs more than 30A
Second was Toyota RAV4 EV, this one did only tolerate 8-10A difference.
But when upgraded with openinverter and new BMS, then you can do what you want

You could test this with simulating current.
You need to find the DC current sensor and put a wire 10 times around, connect a variable CC power source. Then it's easy to see when/if it will give error.
You could connect generator directly to HV battery bypassing the current sensor, but then you will have trouble with SOC and voltage.
Thomas A. Edison “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work"
Re: Leaf range extender
I hope to re-charge the battery whist the car is "under power" i.e. accelerating/cruising with a "net" surplus re-charging the battery. Due to the time constant of the turbine heat-exchanger there would also be surplus charge available during breaking.
- Kevin Sharpe
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- Joined: Fri Dec 14, 2018 9:24 pm
- Location: Ireland and US
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Re: Leaf range extender
ok, remove the phrase "regenerative braking" and insert the phrase "charging"... the battery doesn't care whether you are moving.Capstone wrote: ↑Thu Mar 12, 2020 10:14 am I hope to re-charge the battery whist the car is "under power" i.e. accelerating/cruising with a "net" surplus re-charging the battery. Due to the time constant of the turbine heat-exchanger there would also be surplus charge available during breaking.
This is a personal post and I disclaim all responsibility for any loss or damage which any person may suffer from reliance on the information and material in this post or any opinion, conclusion or recommendation in the information and material.