very small generator

[stan.distortion]

It's actually an ideal application for a very small jet turbine, there's nothing readily available to fit the specifications but they're firmly in the sweet spot for the needed characteristics. Piston engines are designed first and foremost for flexibility, an rpm range is essential but that's not needed for generators, an optimum fixed speed is the ideal. It always amazed me that motor manufacturers didn't use them in hybrids, at least one small scale supercar manufacturer went that route but I guess the bigger manufacturers didn't want to take the risk and expense of developing a tech that was only a stop-gap measure at best.

But yeah, seeing as they're not readily available and blowing a few million on an R&D budget would be cost-prohibitive, a four stroke weedwacker engine is probably the best option.

 

[dogman dan]

Yep. the real problem is nobody really needs a generator that small. So it won't pay the R and D.

Be cool though, if they could lighten up the 700w piston ones, and make them much quieter. I think they make them a little bit heavy, just so they don't flip themselves over.

It could be, the best solution remains a big cargo bike to carry a big battery, and a china girl motor kit on it for when the electric runs out. Belt drive it, and just remove the belt till you want to run gas.

But then you end up just a gasser, using the e power as a backup. Ahh hell, just ride a motorcycle at that point. You can still buy a brand new honda trail 125.

 

[MadRhino]

12 yrs later, the principle hadn’t changed.

If you are going to burn gas to charge your battery, you might as well burn gas to ride. A 50cc scooter or lightweight motorcycle will do about 100 miles a gallon, and can be found cheaper than a good ebike.

Anyway, if it is only occasionally, many portable generators are easily carried on a bike trailer, if you are doing a long off road trip, going hunting or camping with your ebike. I have tried once last year. The small portable generator is useful for many tasks on a camping trip, and the one I had was charging my 24s 20a/h ebike battery in about 2-3 hours.