Hi,
This thread appears to have digressed since it was first started but the original point was something I'm currently looking into now. I have looked briefly at how motors work and as I understand it a car alternator is very similar to a brushless DC motor. Correct me if I'm wrong but a BLDC works by applying a 3-phase high power signal and having a permanent magnet to generate the field. An alternator has an electromagnet field and 3-phase (output) which goes through a bridge / regulator to charge the battery. What's stopping someone disconnecting the bridge/regulator, applying a DC voltage to the field windings and a 3 phase signal to the 3-phase part, just like a BLDC motor?
I only ask because I have an alternator knocking around and am looking into powering a small electric bike / vehicle. Building most of it from scratch. I initially thought of getting a BLDC hub motor (from China) to get me started, then work on a controller to replace the one that comes with the hub.
See attached pic of the vehicle I am planning on motorising.
Any comments / recommendations?
Thanks,
Jules