Hybrids deserve no special treatment. A pure DC vehicle that only uses electricity may deserve special treatment on the other hand.
I say this because I plan to do a DC conversion on my little Ranger and its going to work out to less than 4000 bucks and I will never ever have to buy gas again.
Location: Close enough to make a beer run during a TV timeout
Exp:
Trad- you should start another thread about the conversion that you are doing. I'm sure others (myself included) would be curious to hear about the process; without having to dig through this deep thread.
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I won't even have a transmission anymore. My gas-pedal will become a computer controlled potentiometer to a DC motor that is entirely direct-drive.
If I did the math right, I will have a top speed of 130 km/h and a range of 400 km between charges. If I add the four 130 watt solar panels and a couple small wind turbines on the roof of the truck then I think the range will be more like 600 km. Full recharge via standard 110 outlet would be about 6 hours.
When I get around to it, I'll start the thread for sure.
But before I do, I think I better finally get around to walking Gimp's dog for him. Msgd him two weeks ago and still haven't made it out.
If I did the math right, I will have a top speed of 130 km/h and a range of 400 km between charges. If I add the four 130 watt solar panels and a couple small wind turbines on the roof of the truck then I think the range will be more like 600 km. Full recharge via standard 110 outlet would be about 6 hours.
Now i must admit it's been a while now since I've done any physics but I'm pretty sure there's no chance in hell adding wind turbines to the top of your vehicle is going to increase efficiency.
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Now i must admit it's been a while now since I've done any physics but I'm pretty sure there's no chance in hell adding wind turbines to the top of your vehicle is going to increase efficiency.
How much RPM does a standard alternator in a car need to produce any kind of useable power? I think I can get it up there travelling over 100km/h. It would only be a little, but it would add about 80-100 km between charges. Also, these turbines would only be about 4 inches tall and probably 10 inches across. Small small, but have about 4-5 of them across the roof.
I'm not an expert. I just want an excuse to have a nice truck and hippies can't bitch at me.
I'm pretty sure they'd be parasitic to the overall mileage. You gotta remember they're adding wind resistance. Also to move your truck you'll need enough batteries to fill your bed.
Further more Trad, I have a hard time believing that for $4000 you're going to be able to convert your vehicle to an electric which outperforms range wise almost all of the upcoming electrics manufactured by the companies which are actually developing cars for the purpose of being electrics.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale
How much RPM does a standard alternator in a car need to produce any kind of useable power? I think I can get it up there travelling over 100km/h. It would only be a little, but it would add about 80-100 km between charges. Also, these turbines would only be about 4 inches tall and probably 10 inches across. Small small, but have about 4-5 of them across the roof.
yeah... I believe the only thing standing in your way are the laws of thermodynamics(or something like that as I said been a long time) Comparing your alternator to these turbines is a false analogy, the alternator generates electricity to power your electronics at the expense of fuel mileage not to boost it.
Not to be a ###### Trad, but I really think you might wanna do a lot more research before you decide on the conversion.
I'm pretty sure they'd be parasitic to the overall mileage. You gotta remember they're adding wind resistance. Also to move your truck you'll need enough batteries to fill your bed.
What does an engine weigh? A 3.0L V6 say? 600-800 lbs?
Further more Trad, I have a hard time believing that for $4000 you're going to be able to convert your vehicle to an electric which outperforms range wise almost all of the upcoming electrics manufactured by the companies which are actually developing cars for the purpose of being electrics.
yeah... I believe the only thing standing in your way are the laws of thermodynamics(or something like that as I said been a long time) Comparing your alternator to these turbines is a false analogy, the alternator generates electricity to power your electronics at the expense of fuel mileage not to boost it.
Not to be a ###### Trad, but I really think you might wanna do a lot more research before you decide on the conversion.
Wind turbines would certainly not work, as you're adding drag by putting them on, and if my brain is working correctly, I believe it would be impossible for them to produce enough electricity to even make up for how much they slow down your car. As far as only using them when they're useful. For example, you could in theory use them to help slow down your car, while charging your battery (and have them covered, or simply not under load otherwise). However, electric/hybrid cars already have technology in place that recovers electricity while you brake.
Interesting sounding project that you're planning though.
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To add a wind turbine to increase mileage IS building a perpetual motion machine - it's impossible. You COULD increase milage if you drove straight against a strong wind, but if you assume a net zero wind direction (you must), it's impossible for a wind generator to increase your mileage. If the wind turbine was 100% efficent and had no friction (I.E. the very best it could do), the result would be a net 0 increase to your mileage.
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60 volt system is 5 12V batteries. 130AH AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) batteries for 130 AH at 60 Volt. Those batteries weigh 50 lbs each, so thats 250lbs per 130 AH.
If an engine and applicable tranny and etc weighs 850lbs (this figure was not established...help us 4X4! lol) then the equivalent in the engine at 100lbs plus battery bank would be 390 AH at 60 volt.
From there, the range calculations don't seem too extreme.
Add the solar panels, drop the turbines for this debate as I am way too lazy and drunk to draw up and post a schematic and I'm no expert in this stuff, but I would give it a good try.
Also, I think you are over estimating your range, or underestimating your recharge time.
A tesla roadster has about a 400 km range, and takes 30+ hours to charge from a regular wall socket , according to the Tesla website.
6 hours may be all the charge you need, for your daily driving, but it certainly won't recharge that fast from empty. You'll need a 240V - 30A (dryer) or 240 - 50A (range) plug to even approach charging from empty to full in 6 hours.
The Tesla Home charging station is 240V - 70A.
Last edited by You Need a Thneed; 12-25-2009 at 11:36 PM.
^ Totally what I am going for. I have access to the batteries for cheap. Its the means to interface the right direct-drive DC motor with the drive-shaft of a rear-wheel drive vehicle that I am stuck on.
EDIT: Since I am drunk did this really need its own split? I sure as hell don't have the 4000 for the conversion right now. I just wanted to debate the idea.
Also, I think you are over estimating your range, or underestimating your recharge time.
A tesla roadster has about a 400 km range, and takes 30+ hours to charge from a regular wall socket , according to the Tesla website.
Also, remember that that's what the website says. Top Gear's as tested battery life was greatly below what they advertise (even their "race speed" claims).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale
^ Totally what I am going for. I have access to the batteries for cheap. Its the means to interface the right direct-drive DC motor with the drive-shaft of a rear-wheel drive vehicle that I am stuck on.
EDIT: Since I am drunk did this really need its own split? I sure as hell don't have the 4000 for the conversion right now. I just wanted to debate the idea.
Cheers in that regard, though!!!
I'm starting on the rum myself...but I'd 100% recommend that if it's possible to lose the driveshaft altogether, you should as you'd save weight.
I simply have very little faith in the practicality of a battery powered vehicle. I believe electricity can do it, but I'm thinking fuel cell rather than batteries.
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Traditional Ale's DC Truck conversion [Split]
Now i must admit it's been a while now since I've done any physics but I'm pretty sure there's no chance in hell adding wind turbines to the top of your vehicle is going to increase efficiency.
Comparing your alternator to these turbines is a false analogy, the alternator generates electricity to power your electronics at the expense of fuel mileage not to boost it.
