[ausev] Diesel hybrid

[evehicle4me at hischopsticks.org]

Another thought...the older style (I assume you mean air cooled) VW  
engines were not terribly efficient and were/are very dirty engines in  
terms of the smog created.  It is easier to control the temp of a  
water cooled engine which is why they tend to be much cleaner burning.  
  While the old vdub engines are relatively cheap, easy to work on and  
find parts for I would like to consider the environmental aspect as  
well - especially the desire to use some kind of renewable energy  
source like veggie oil.  Water cooled engines are easier to use to  
heat the cabin of a car as well.


Quoting John Penry at Texrocks <jpenry at texrocks.com>:

> A couple of calculators.
> http://www.evconvert.com/tools/evcalc/
> http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/lab/8679/evcalc.html
>
> The Series Hybrid idea is something I have been pondering as well.
> I talked yesterday with a VW Bug specialist, and the older style VW engines
> were about 37 HP, which I think could also be used to power a genset.
> There was also some study done on motors and generators for use in a trailer
> to tow behind one of the RAV-4 all electrics as a "range extender".  I also
> feel that the motor and generator would take about the same room as a half
> dozen batteries, and get the vehicle somewhere in the 60, 70, 80 and beyond
> mpg range.
>
> John in Seguin
> http://www.transtexastrucks.com
> I decided to challenge the Automakers.
> I will make a Plug in Series Hybrid Crew-Cab Pickup before Detroit does.
> But if I lose this race, we all become winners.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <evehicle4me at hischopsticks.org>
> To: <ausev at austinev.org>
> Sent: Monday, May 26, 2008 10:18 AM
> Subject: [ausev] Diesel hybrid
>
>
>> I have an idea that is by no means new.  I would like to buy a Dodge
>> Caravan and install 2 electric motors in it, one on each of the front
>> wheels - it is a front wheel drive.  (Alternatively I could dig up an
>> awd van and put one motor on each wheel.  Even more preferable, if the
>> fuel mileage numbers panned out I would love to find a full size van.)
>>  I would like to put both batteries and a diesel powered generator in
>> the van.  I would like the diesel motor to be purely for generating
>> electricity, never to mechanically power the wheels.  My reason for
>> doing this is to reduce the number of batteries (and thus cost and
>> weight) needed to keep the van going and to extend the range.  I also
>> want to use veggie oil for the diesel.  I would like to be able to
>> drive the van indefinitely, i.e. not have a fixed range of 100 or 200
>> miles as electric vehicles do.
>>
>> I have a couple of questions.  Please feel free to refer me to other
>> posts, url's or forums that can answer my questions.  I am sure they
>> have been asked before but I have not yet figured out how to search
>> very well on this topic.
>>
>> How much can I expect to pay for a 25 hp electric motor?  I have seen
>> new motors for more than $10,000 each.  Is it possible to find a pair
>> of motors this size for $2,000 each (used)?  Wishful thinking :(  How
>> much will each weigh?  The 4 cyl caravans only had 80 hp so I am
>> thinking a pair of 25 hp electric will be  more than enough.
>>
>> Electric motors seem to become proportionately more expensive as they
>> get bigger, i.e. it is cheaper to buy 2  xx volt motors than to buy 1
>> 2xx volt motors.  Is this true?
>>
>> Does someone have some kind of simulation software or spreadhsheet
>> that I can use to model how many batteries I would need, how big a
>> generator, etc?  This aspect of the planning has the most question
>> marks and gives me the most opportunities to either sink or swim.
>>
>> I have read that electric motors are significantly more efficient if
>> kept running at a lower temperature, i.e. -20 F or lower.  Is this
>> possible to do this for an electric motor used for a car?
>>
>> I have seen some controllers for Chinese electric motors that adjust
>> the speed of motors for turning radius.  Is this necessary?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>>
>
>
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