Abstract: A hybrid electric powertrain includes an electrical energy storage device and electric machines. A method for operating the powertrain to control the electric machines is effective to attain a predetermined state of life profile for the electric energy storage device.

Abstract: A hybrid power drive system comprises: an engine operatively coupled to a gearbox; a first motor operatively coupled to the engine; a first wheel group operatively coupled to the gearbox; a second motor operatively coupled to a second wheel group; an energy storage device connected to the first motor and the second motor, respectively. The gearbox comprises a first decelerating mechanism and a second decelerating mechanism. The first wheel group is operatively coupled to the first decelerating mechanism and the second decelerating mechanism, respectively. The engine is operatively coupled to the first decelerating mechanism and the second decelerating mechanism, respectively.

Abstract: A hydrogen-absorbing alloy, which is used as a negative electrode material of nickel-metal hydride secondary batteries for hybrid electric vehicles, and particularly for batteries to drive electric motors of hybrid electric vehicles, is an AB5-type alloy having a CaCu5-type crystal structure and the general formula R NiaCobAlcMnd (R: mixture of rare earth metals), wherein 4.15?a?4.4, 0.15?b?0.35, 1?c/d?1.7, 5.25?a+b+c+d?5.45.

Abstract: A safety arrangement for a motor vehicle includes an electrical energy storage unit. The arrangement is particularly intended for use in a motor vehicle configured to be powered electrically, or by a so-called hybrid motor, and which hence comprises a high voltage electrical storage unit such as a battery or capacitor. The safety arrangement is configured to cool the storage unit in response to a signal indicative of an accident situation or battery malfunction, and comprises: a source of compressed inert gas and a flow-release actuator, the flow-release actuator being actuable upon receipt of an actuation signal so as to release a flow of inert gas from said source, the arrangement being configured such that said flow is directed substantially onto said storage unit so as to cool the unit.

Abstract: A charge/discharge power upper limit value is set by referencing different maps for a catalyst warm-up period and other period so as to limit charge/discharge of a main battery in accordance with increase of the battery temperature. As a result, during the catalyst warm-up period, a limit start temperature at which a limit of the charge/discharge power is started and a charge/discharge inhibit temperature at which the charge/discharge is inhibited are set in accordance with the characteristic of the main battery. During a period other than the catalyst warm-up period, the limit start temperature and the charge/discharge inhibit temperature are set lower than during the catalyst warm-up period.

Abstract: A control for a hybrid vehicle includes; obtaining information that an EV switch that is operated when a travel of the vehicle in an EV mode in which priority is given to an EV travel in which the vehicle travels by a motive power only from a rotary electric machine is to be selected has been operated; starting a permission preparation control for causing a transition from a state in which a situation of the vehicle satisfies a predetermined reservation condition for reserving the EV mode to a state in which the situation of the vehicle satisfies a predetermined permission condition for permitting the EV mode if the situation of the vehicle does not satisfy the permission condition but satisfies the reservation condition when the EV switch has been operated; and enabling to control the travel of the vehicle in the EV mode if the predetermined permission condition is satisfied.

Abstract: An electricity storage control device for a hybrid vehicle that includes: an internal combustion engine; a battery that is charged by a power generator driven by the internal combustion engine; and a motor that is driven upon receiving an electric power from the battery, the hybrid vehicle conducting travel in an EV mode for traveling with only the motor, includes: a planned traveling distance setting unit that sets a planned traveling distance in the EV mode; and a residual control unit that calculates a traveling enable distance in the EV mode according to an electricity storage state of the battery and that, when the planned traveling distance is longer than the traveling enable distance, operates the internal combustion engine to cause the power generator to charge the battery so that amount of storage in the battery reaches amount of storage corresponding to the planned traveling distance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a generation means for generating electrical power to operate vehicle systems and/or for recharging batteries used by electric and/or hybrid cars. The present invention may also generate electric power to operate an electric motor that can also drive a vehicle. The present invention may also use the electric power generated for other uses as well. It comprises an engine that is connected to at least one rotatable member connected for rotation therewith and at least one generator that is connected to the rotatable member through a rotor in said generator to generate electrical energy.

Abstract: Hybrid gas-turbine electric vehicles and methods for operating hybrid gas-turbine electric vehicles are provided that make use of the gas-turbine for efficiently providing cooling for the vehicle.

Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle system includes: a propulsion motor capable of driving a vehicle; a fuel cell which generates electric power by supplying a reactant gas to give an electrochemical reaction; an energy storage device which is charged by a generated output of the fuel cell and regenerative electric power of the propulsion motor; an output control device which controls an output current of the fuel cell; and a control device which calculates the regenerative electric power which can be generated by a regenerative operation of the propulsion motor as well as a chargeable power which can be charged to the energy storage device, controls the output control device so that the output current of the fuel cell is restricted when the chargeable power is less than the regenerative electric power, and controls the output control device so that restriction on the output current of the fuel cell is canceled when the chargeable power is equal to or greater than the regenerative electric power.

Abstract: A method and a device for controlling a hybrid vehicle drive. The device contains a multiplicity of control parameter sets with different set point charge states for a high performance battery of the electric motor. The set point charge states are assigned to a respective operating mode of the vehicle. A definition device for defining a current operating mode of the vehicle, as a result of which a control parameter set which corresponds to the defined current operating mode of the vehicle can be used to control a charge mode of the high performance battery of the electric motor with a corresponding set point charge state.

Abstract: A method for controlling a low-voltage circuit of a vehicle having a generator includes monitoring operating conditions of the vehicle and determining whether surplus generator load is available. Available surplus generator load is captured and used to power the low-voltage circuit. The low-voltage circuit may include a low-voltage battery, which may be charged with the surplus generator load. The surplus generator load may be utilized for anti-sulfation of the low-voltage battery. The method is usable with both a hybrid vehicle and a conventional vehicle. The method may further include powering the low-voltage circuit with energy stored in the low-voltage battery as a result of charging the low-voltage battery with the surplus generator load.

Abstract: A method of controlling electric power generation during idle charge in a hybrid electric vehicle. The method includes determining whether an idle charge condition is satisfied; if the idle charge condition is satisfied, calculating a first charge power amount based on whether a load is applied, a gear shift position, and a state of charge of a battery; calculating a target charge speed based on the first charge power amount; calculating an altitude correction coefficient based on atmospheric pressure; calculating a second charge power amount based on the altitude correction coefficient and the first charge power amount; and controlling an amount of power generation and an amount of battery charge based on the second charge power amount.

Abstract: A battery and ultracapacitor device for use in a vehicle includes a positive electrode, a first negative electrode, a second negative electrode, a first separator disposed between the positive electrode and the first and second negative electrodes, and a controller communicating with the positive electrode, the first negative electrode, and the second negative electrode. A first negative electrode has a first composition and communicates with the first positive electrode. The second negative electrode has a second composition and is adjacent to the first negative electrode and a second separator. The second negative electrode communicates with the positive electrode and the first negative electrode. The first negative electrode comprises a secondary battery negative electrode. The second negative electrode comprises an ultracapacitor negative electrode.

Abstract: A controller is capable of executing direct couple control that directly couples a first power device and a second power device without causing a DC/DC converter to convert voltage. During the direct couple control, a drive signal that causes no voltage conversion is intermittently output to at least one of a plurality of switching devices.

Abstract: A method includes detecting high-voltage faults, such as welded contactors or disconnected components, in a vehicle by measuring the total electrical impedance between positive and negative rails of a high-voltage bus and a ground or chassis, comparing the impedance before and after opening the contactors, and executing a maintenance response. The response includes setting an error code when the open impedance level is less than a threshold multiple of the closed impedance level. A vehicle includes a chassis, energy storage system (ESS), motor/generator, and a high-voltage bus conducting electrical current from the ESS to the motor/generator. Contactors are positioned along each of the rails of the bus, a device for measuring a total electrical impedance level between the chassis and each of the rails, and a controller for determining a welded contactor condition of at least one of the contactors based on the measured total electrical impedance level.

Abstract: A method of controlling a hybrid powertrain of a vehicle includes lowering a target voltage set point of a low voltage battery to a temporary voltage set point to reduce the overall power required by the accessory power module when a requested voltage from a vehicle accessory draws the voltage of the low voltage battery below the target voltage set point. The temporary voltage set point gradually increases over time until equal to the target voltage set point, allowing sufficient time for a high voltage battery to provide the required power for the accessory power module or for an electric motor/generator to generate the current required by the accessory power module.

Abstract: An electronically reconfigurable battery includes a number of battery modules selectively interconnected by a number of electronic switches, wherein a selectable number of battery modules may be connected either in a series configuration or in a parallel configuration, as a result of placing selected switches of said plurality of switches in open states or closed states. In a parallel configuration, the battery provides power to a primary load, such as a propulsion load for a vehicle. In a series configuration, the battery is configured to provide a high voltage and high power output to a short-term and/or pulsed load, such as an additional load provided on the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of diagnosing a malfunction in an abnormal voltage detecting apparatus, which includes breaking an electrical connection between a secondary battery (100) and an abnormal voltage detecting apparatus (40, 31) and connecting the abnormal voltage detecting apparatus to a direct current voltage generating portion (20) that is different from the secondary battery (100), applying direct current voltage that has a predetermined voltage value that is outside of a normal voltage range to the abnormal voltage detecting apparatus (40) using the direct current voltage generating portion, and determining that there is a malfunction in the abnormal voltage detecting apparatus if the abnormal voltage detecting apparatus does not determine that the voltage is abnormal.

Abstract: A battery charge/discharge control device (20) includes an input-enabled power adjustment unit (40) having an input-enabled current value calculation unit (42) and an input power limit value calculation unit (44). The input-enabled current value calculation unit (42) uses a battery current value, a battery temperature value, and an estimated charge capacity value at the time “t” upon execution of detection, so as to obtain an input-enabled current value reduction amount per unit time during charge and an enabled current amount recovery amount per unit time when being left uncontrolled.

Abstract: A power source module comprises a plurality of socket modules, at least one exchangeable battery module, and at least one system control unit. The socket modules are connected in parallel. The exchangeable battery module can be arbitrarily inserted into one of the socket modules. The system control unit is configured to transmit an instruction signal for controlling a switch of the exchangeable battery module according to a state of charge of the exchangeable battery module, a sensing result, and operating information of an external device (for example, a motor or a charger), so as to charge or discharge only one exchangeable battery module during a charging and discharging period.

Abstract: A discharge share ratio calculation unit (52) calculates, for each power storage device, a remaining electric power quantity before an SOC is reached with respect to which an allowable discharge electric power is restricted, and calculates a discharge power share ratio between power storage devices according to the ratio of the remaining electric power quantity. A charge share ratio calculation unit (54) calculates, for each power storage device, a chargeable quantity before an SOC is reached with respect to which an allowable charge electric power is restricted, and calculates a charge power share ratio between power storage devices according to the ratio of the chargeable quantity.

Abstract: An imbalance reduction circuit is configured to include: a temperature-related information acquisition unit for acquiring temperature-related information related to the temperature of a plurality of electric accumulators; a discharge unit for executing an equalization process for discharging the plurality of electric accumulators until terminal voltages of the respective electric accumulators become substantially equal to one another; and an equalization controller for prohibiting the discharge unit from executing the equalization process, when the temperature-related information acquired by the temperature-related information acquisition unit satisfies a low temperature condition that is set as a condition where the discharge performance of the plurality of electric accumulators deteriorates.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of batteries, a vehicle load (motor generators, inverters, boost converters, connection units, and system main relays configured to be able to select at least one of the plurality of batteries as an electric power supply source, and for generating drive force by receiving electric power from the electric power supply source, and a control unit for controlling the vehicle load such that the vehicle load receives the electric power from the electric power supply source in response to a selection instruction for selecting the electric power supply source. The selection instruction is input by a user. That is, the user can select a battery to be used for traveling of the vehicle.

Abstract: A power source pack is arranged on a floor in such a manner that the vehicle front side is positioned higher than the vehicle rear side. Specifically, the front side of the power source pack is placed on a cross member qualified as a structural member that is fixed to traverse the vehicle on the floor. By such a configuration, it is possible to provide a structure for mounting a power source pack that is configured to be less vulnerable to the heat penetrating from a lower surface of the floor to the interior of a cabin even if the power source pack is arranged on the floor.

Abstract: A system and method for charging a plug-in electric vehicle with an external power source, even when the overall power requested by the plug-in electric vehicle exceeds the overall power available from the external power source. In an exemplary embodiment, a method determines the overall power requested by one or more vehicle systems, and then compares that to the overall available power from the external power source. If the overall requested power exceeds the overall available power, then the power from the external power source is allocated or apportioned to the different vehicle systems according to an allocation process that may consider factors like predetermined priorities and current vehicle conditions.

Abstract: A device for cooling batteries, particularly of an electric and/or hybrid vehicle, includes a pair of compartments (1, 12) in communication with one another, including a first compartment (1) housing the batteries distributed among adjacent columns and a second compartment (12) housing at least a blower (14). One of these compartments (1, 12) has an air intake aperture (5) while the other compartment (1, 2) has a discharge aperture (5) for discharging the admitted air to the outside. The first compartment (1) modifies the dynamics of the air passing through it, starting from an axial circulation of air along the columns of batteries.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a charging inlet for connection with a ground line and a pair of power lines used to charge an electrical storage device from outside the vehicle; a terminal of the charging inlet for connection with the ground line; and a GND relay that connects the terminal to a body earth of the vehicle. Desirably, the vehicle further includes an ECU that controls charging of the electrical storage device. Before charging of the electrical storage device is started after the pair of power lines and the ground line are connected to the charging inlet, the ECU opens the GND relay and then determines whether there is a disconnection in the ground line.

Abstract: A combined diesel gas-turbine system for optimizing operation and combustion processes of a diesel engine includes a catalytic sub-system, a turbo-generator sub-system and a hybrid sub-system. The catalytic sub-system is in communication with an exhaust port of the diesel engine and is operative for combusting and reducing all pollutants from diesel exhaust. The catalytic sub-system is a three-way catalytic converter and a first catalytic converter in series with a second catalytic converter. The turbo-generator sub-system is operative for the reclamation of secondary energy from the catalytic sub-system and includes a turbine in communication with the second catalytic converter for receiving a source of cleaned exhaust gas to drive the turbine. The hybrid sub-system is operative for the management of energy within the system. The system may incorporate a waste heat recovery system and convert it to mechanical power.

Abstract: A series charger (80) is provided to charge a high voltage battery (42) in an electric vehicle with a low voltage solar panel (50). The series charger (80) provides switches (841, 842) to connect the terminals of solar panel (50) across individual battery cells (341-n) in series connected battery (42) one battery cell at a time. Charging by series charger (80) can occur while the cells (341-n) of battery (42) remain connected in series. With the series charger (80), the high voltage battery (42) can be charged by the low voltage solar panel (50) without using a lossy DC-DC converter. The high voltage battery (42) charged by series charger (80) can be connected in parallel with a second high voltage battery to enable charging all cells of the second battery together. The solar panel (50) can be provided in a moon roof or truck bed cover adjustable to track the sun.

Abstract: To provide additional charge storage for an electric vehicle, an additional battery (100) is connected in parallel with a regenerative braking direct charged battery (22) through a current limiting circuit (104 or 120). The additional battery (100) is charged by an external charger such as a plug-in charger or a solar panel that supply minimal current to prevent generation of battery heat. Current flows from the additional battery (100) to the regenerative braking charged batteries (22) so that both batteries can be charged. However, when excessive charge is drawn to drive the vehicle electric motor (20), the current limiter circuit (104 or 120) serves to prevent the discharge of additional battery (100) from creating excessive heat in the additional battery (100).

Abstract: A system and method for use with a vehicle battery pack having a number of individual battery cells, such as a lithium-ion battery commonly used in hybrid electric vehicles. In one embodiment, the method evaluates individual battery cells within a vehicle battery pack in order to obtain accurate estimates regarding their average transient voltage effect, open circuit voltage (OCVCell) and/or state of charge (SOCCell) so that a cell balancing process can be performed. These cell evaluations may be performed fairly soon after the vehicle is turned off and in a manner that utilizes a minimal amount of in-vehicle resources.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to charge a vehicle battery from an external power source. The system includes a sensor configured to detect an electrical current received from the external power source and a processor configured to determine a charging schedule related to charging the vehicle battery. The processor is also configured to determine a variation from the charging schedule based on the electrical current and to direct transmissions of messages based on the electrical current detected by the sensor. The system includes a remote electronic device configured to receive the messages and to alert a driver of the plug-in vehicle based on the messages.

Abstract: Battery charging control methods, electrical vehicle charging methods, battery charging control apparatus, and electrical vehicles are described. In one arrangement, battery charging control methods include accessing price information for electrical energy supplied by an electrical power distribution system and controlling an adjustment of an amount of the electrical energy from the electrical power distribution system used to charge a rechargeable battery at different moments in time using the price information. Other arrangements are described.

Abstract: Battery charging control methods, electric vehicle charging methods, battery charging apparatuses and rechargeable battery systems are described. According to one aspect, a battery charging control method includes accessing information regarding a presence of at least one of a surplus and a deficiency of electrical energy upon an electrical power distribution system at a plurality of different moments in time, and using the information, controlling an adjustment of an amount of the electrical energy provided from the electrical power distribution system to a rechargeable battery to charge the rechargeable battery.

Abstract: A vehicular electrical system for a hybrid electric vehicle provides a high voltage electrical system having a high power electrical energy storage device (HPD) and a power inverter that cooperate to provide power to a hybrid electric vehicle propulsion system; and a low voltage electrical system having a low voltage power source, at least one accessory power load, and a control switch that toggles between an opened and a closed position to control the flow of current flowing between the low voltage power source and the HPD. A method of using the vehicular electrical system provides the step of using the HPD and power inverter to provide power to the electric vehicle propulsion system; and opening a control switch to isolate the low voltage system from the high voltage system and closing a control switch to charge the HPD.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell with a pair of electrodes arranged as a stack of flat electrode films separated by a separator film, wherein electrode films of each electrode are electrically connected with each other through inner electrode conductors, the inner electrode conductors of the different electrodes are arranged on opposite sides of the electrochemical cell in electrode material-free area of the electrode films, each inner electrode conductor is connected with a separate inner conductor element through a predetermined number of weld points integrated in the electrode material-free area of the respective electrode.

Abstract: When detecting an abnormality in some storage batteries, the hybrid vehicle control system separates the faulty storage batteries and leads the sound storage batteries to a high SOC.

Abstract: During vehicle drive under an EV mode, a battery charge state SOC becomes smaller than a SOC(L) at time t0. As a result, EV?HEV mode change is carried out. After time t1, deceleration is desired, and an accelerator opening APO is kept at 0. At time t3, the SOC increases and becomes greater than or equal to a SOC(H) by the HEV mode. In this case, after time t1 of release of an accelerator pedal, the SOC(H) is cleared at time t2 at which a vehicle operating condition is judged to be a low load drive condition in which a motor/generator performs regenerative braking. By making a judgment of HEV?EV mode change based on the SOC(L) instead of the SOC(H), the HEV?EV mode change is carried out before time t3. A regenerative braking time ?t with the engine dragged is therefore shortened, and a regenerative braking time with no-engine drag can be correspondingly lengthened, improving an energy recovery performance.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell with a pair of electrodes arranged as a stack of flat electrode films separated by a separator film, wherein: electrode films of each electrode are electrically connected with each other through inner electrode conductors, the inner electrode conductors of the different electrodes are arranged on opposite sides of the electrochemical cel in electrode material-free area of the electrode films, each inner electrode conductor is connected with the respective electrode films through a predetermined number of weld points in the electrode material-free area of the respective electrode, each inner electrode conductor includes a predetermined number of openings in which coupling elements are set to connect the inner electrode conductor with an outward electrode conductor for the respective electrode.

Abstract: A battery is disclosed for reducing the severity of thermal runaway. The battery includes an anode sheet, a cathode sheet, and a separator situated between the anode sheet and the cathode sheet. The anode sheet, cathode sheet, and separator may be put together in a jelly roll configuration. The battery also includes internal fuses that subdivide the anode sheet, cathode sheet, or both, into electrically separate areas. The fuses are activated during thermal runaway and isolate separate areas of the sheet, thus reducing the total energy available during thermal runaway and reducing the severity. The fuses may be positive temperature coefficient (PTC) fuses that conduct current at normal operating temperatures but stop conducting current at temperatures above normal operating temperatures. The fuses may be placed in the current collectors, or directly into the anode sheet and cathode sheet themselves.

Abstract: A battery system is provided for a vehicle. The battery system includes, but is not limited to, comprising: a heat transfer loop, a battery cell, a thermoelectric semiconductor device coupled to the battery cell and the heat transfer loop, a variable voltage source coupled to the thermoelectric semiconductor device, and a temperature sensor coupled to the battery cell. A controller is coupled to the variable voltage source and the temperature sensor and also configured to receive a signal indicative of a temperature of the battery cell from the temperature sensor and adjust a voltage of the variable voltage source applied to the thermoelectric semiconductor device based at least in part on an evaluation of the temperature.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell with a cathode electrode and an anode electrode separated by a separator, whereby: the cathode electrode includes at least a two-phase active material based on a lithium-transition metal oxide, and the anode electrode includes at least such a material that the anode electrode has an open circuit voltage curve with a total travel of at least 0.7 V and a steep voltage discharge curve without a saddle point.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a plurality of electric vehicles with a fleet management portal is described herein. In one embodiment, a machine implemented method for managing one or more fleets of electric vehicles includes monitoring one or more fleets of electric vehicles using a fleet management portal associated with a server. Next, the method includes monitoring a plurality of charge transfer devices using the fleet management portal. Next, the method includes receiving charging information from the charge transfer devices. Next, the method includes determining a charging status for each electric vehicle based on the charging information. Next, the method includes generating one or more reports having the charging status for each electric vehicle.

Abstract: A discharge mechanism including: a smoothing capacitor; a first terminal and a second terminal that are provided at both end sides of the smoothing capacitor respectively; and a short-circuiting clasp that is disposed apart from the first terminal and the second terminal by a predetermined clearance to short-circuit the first terminal and the second terminal to each other. The short-circuiting clasp is disposed so as to move in such a direction as to approach the first terminal and the second terminal through application of an external force to the short-circuiting clasp, and to discharge electric charges accumulated on the smoothing capacitor through abutment of the short-circuiting clasp on the first terminal and the second terminal.

Abstract: An energy storage assembly with a plurality of flat electrochemical cells, each of them includes a pair of electrodes which electrically connect the electrochemical cells with each other through outward electrode terminals, wherein each electrochemical cell includes as a pair of outward electrode terminals a straight outward terminal and a curved outward terminal, the electrochemical cells are connected with each other that a straight outward terminal of one of the electrochemical cell is connected with a curved outward terminal of an adjacent electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Methods and systems for energy management system for a vehicle are provided. The system includes a first power source configured for cranking an engine wherein the first power source includes a switch configured to electrically couple the first power source to a starter for the engine and wherein the first power source is electrically isolated from auxiliary onboard loads. The system further includes a second power source configured for supplying auxiliary on board loads, a charging subsystem electrically coupled to the first and the second power sources. The charging subsystem is configured to supply charging current to the first and the second power sources. The system further includes a controller configured to maintain the first power source in a substantially fully charged condition and supply the auxiliary loads from the second power source.

Abstract: A plug-in hybrid propulsion system includes a fast energy storage device that preserves battery life, where the energy storage elements of the hybrid drive train may be charged with externally supplied electricity as well as energy from the engine or regenerative braking. Electronic switches, passive electronics, an enclosure, controller circuitry, and/or control algorithms are used to manage the flow of power between a fuel powered engine, a battery, a fast energy storage system, traction motors; a charger, ancillary systems, an electrical distribution system, and/or a drive train.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes a hybrid electro-mechanical transmission and a power source. A planetary gear set having a first, a second, and a third member connects the power source with a first and a second motor/generator. A battery is operatively connected to the motor/generators for receiving power therefrom and delivering power thereto. An input member rotates with the first member, the first motor/generator rotates with the second member, and the second motor/generator rotates with the output member. A first torque-transmitting mechanism is engagable to connect the second motor/generator for rotation with the third member. The battery and the second motor/generator provide an electric-only operating mode to power the output member when the first torque-transmitting mechanism is not engaged; the power source, planetary gear set and first motor/generator thereby being disconnected from the output member during the electric-only operating mode to prevent parasitic drag.

Abstract: A hybrid electric motor vehicle (12) has a combustion engine (14), a high-voltage battery bank (28), a low-voltage battery bank (30), an electric generator (32) driven by engine (14) for recharging battery bank (30), a DC-to-DC converter (46) for recharging battery bank (30) from battery bank (28), a monitor for indicating voltage of battery bank (30), a recharge initiate timer that, while battery bank (28) and not generator (32) is recharging battery bank (30) via converter (46), is started by the monitor indicating that voltage of battery bank (30) is below a recharge initiate threshold and whose rate of timing is a function of voltage indicated by the monitor as the timer times. If the timer times to a recharge initiate limit, the generator begins recharging battery bank (30).