Electric pusher

[ffvben]

I've seen the pusher on a show that aired around earth day. it had a electric pusher and a bio diesel vw car. I don't remember the name of the show, it was 1hr show where this guy used only bio diesel to charge his fleet of electric cars as he traveled a long route. or he might just use hydro power for another show and geothermal and so on. It was a neat show i just wish i could of recorded all of them, i guess ill have to wait till next earth day.

[ron22]

RH77
You are a little ahead of me. My plan was to try a trailer first if it worked I wanted to add it into the rear of my CRX to drive the rear wheels.
Would a 10 HP diesel be any better than my CRX engine?
Question is still how much HP does it take to keep my CRX at 70MPH?

[GasSavers_Ryland]

if I remember right, to keep a vehicle going 65mph, was something like 15 horse power, so I would think that a 15-20hp diesel engine pusher might be the way to cruse, haveing the engine running at 80% of peek, with a direct drive.
if you look at the HP rating on an electric motor used for electric cars, the numbers tend to be rather low, like 10-15hp, because their power curves are rather straight, unlike a gas engine that has to rev up rather high to get it's high HP numbers.

[Bill in Houston]

Originally Posted by rh77

I've thought of something similar on-board (to turn the rear wheels on a front-drive car).

I have thought of this as well. Converting a 4wd vehicle to run on the original gas engine in the front, and something else in the back. Something like a Justy or 4wd Civic or Tercel wagon. It seemed like having the original rear diff in there already would make things a lot simpler.

If the rear were powered by an electric motor, then it would be great to somehow incorporate regen as well.

[rh77]

Originally Posted by Bill in Houston

I have thought of this as well. Converting a 4wd vehicle to run on the original gas engine in the front, and something else in the back. Something like a Justy or 4wd Civic or Tercel wagon. It seemed like having the original rear diff in there already would make things a lot simpler.

If the rear were powered by an electric motor, then it would be great to somehow incorporate regen as well.

I thought about this quite a bit yesterday, and didn't condiser a vehicle with a diff already in place -- great idea!

The hardest part was getting the power to existing structure in the 'Teg...would it be: a 5th wheel, a tire that rolls against a rear tire, pusher trailer, etc. It looks like I'd have to get a project car to try something like this...

I also wasn't sure if generators came with cats, or if one could be retrofitted -- if not, would it really help emissions?

RH77

[Bill in Houston]

To me, a pusher trailer seems like the simplest way to try out something like this. I vote for a really good kill switch in case something comes loose...

But for a daily driver, something integrated seems like it would be more manageable.

I'd vote for avoiding a generator if possible. If you push with electric, carry batteries. If you push with gas/diesel, use a direct drive. But that's just me.

[rh77]

Originally Posted by Bill in Houston

To me, a pusher trailer seems like the simplest way to try out something like this. I vote for a really good kill switch in case something comes loose...

But for a daily driver, something integrated seems like it would be more manageable.

I'd vote for avoiding a generator if possible. If you push with electric, carry batteries. If you push with gas/diesel, use a direct drive. But that's just me.

Yeah, a loose trailer, while comical (if you picture it busting loose and wreaking havoc) can nevertheless be dangerous.

The concern that I have is the cost and weight of a good set of batts.

So, does a serial-hybrid design have high parasitic losses? I'm thinking of a locomotive design: on-board generator with a power cable to the trailer. For those not familiar: How a Locomotive Works. While the ICE is off, it can also provide power for an electric brake-assist, lights, blower, etc.

I'm sure the simplest design of the electric traction motors would have a single gearset, which would limit it to power-assist in town or cruise-assist at highway speeds.

I'm really thinking about what I can do with the existing platform: the Integra. I'm not aware of any rear diff that would bolt on for that design (it would have to be a costly custom).

Bill - in your case, since the Element is available as an AWD or FWD, tihs would be a perfect swap. I hear with the Subaru drivetrains, the center diff gets jumbled-up without the rear axle attached. The best situation is likely to take an FWD vehicle that has an AWD/4WD rear axle twin that you can swap so it's truly independent of the front transaxle.

I'd need to search around for cheap FWD/AWD models of the past that would make a great project. The first that comes to mind is the Diesel Tempo (make the front Bio-D). During that production period FWD or AWD was available (the gasser had the same option and is more common, but still rare overall). A standard Mistu Lancer might handle an '03+ Evo rear end (but costly, unless the old ones abroad are available...)

RH77

[ron22]

For a rear diff Honda did have 4WD Civic wagens back in the 80's. I am really want to try the idea with a trailer before i even got into trying to fit it all in one car.

[Bill in Houston]

Originally Posted by rh77

So, does a serial-hybrid design have high parasitic losses? I'm thinking of a locomotive design: on-board generator with a power cable to the trailer. For those not familiar: How a Locomotive Works. While the ICE is off, it can also provide power for an electric brake-assist, lights, blower, etc.

I think that serial hybrid does have high losses. Even if the generator is 90% efficient and the motor is 90% efficient, you'd lose 19% of your power. I think that is higher than most ordinary transmissions.

I'm sure the simplest design of the electric traction motors would have a single gearset, which would limit it to power-assist in town or cruise-assist at highway speeds.

Right, a concession to simplicity and low cost. The Rabbit pusher was pretty cool and all, but it had an automatic transmission, which I would want to avoid.

I'm really thinking about what I can do with the existing platform: the Integra. I'm not aware of any rear diff that would bolt on for that design (it would have to be a costly custom).

A trailer seems like a better fit for the Integra.

Bill - in your case, since the Element is available as an AWD or FWD, tihs would be a perfect swap. <snip>The best situation is likely to take an FWD vehicle that has an AWD/4WD rear axle twin that you can swap so it's truly independent of the front transaxle.

Definitely. Just sitting here at my desk, it seems pretty simple. :-)

I'd need to search around for cheap FWD/AWD models of the past that would make a great project.

Over time, I bet there have been lots of FWD/AWD models that we aren't even thinking of. The challenge would be to find the rear end for cheap, it seems. I had not even thought of the Tempo...

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