Mechanical engineers: help me calculate stuff.

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Dec 24, 2014 | 02:20 PM

#41

rleete

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Not as cheap as I was lead to believe. I was talking a grand, 1200 tops. Turns out he's talking 1700-1800. For a cheap plastic box with unknown electronics, that's a lot.

Dec 24, 2014 | 09:28 PM

#42

patsmx5

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Perez

I'm merely curious as to the practicality of constructing a series-hybrid Miata, utilizing a small Li-ion battery back capable of providing the vehicle with a very short pure-electric range (say, 20 miles or so), while affording the capacity to travel unlimited distances on an occasional basis by utilizing a gasoline-powered generator.

Such vehicles have been constructed in the past which accommodate an external generator mounted on a small trailer, however I find this to be both grossly inelegant and also quite inconvenient. Sadly, gasoline-powered generators, at least those available at the consumer-level at a reasonable cost, are not especially compact.

One thought I've always had, it would be "neat" to build an AC setup and have a clutch to connect/disconnect a fuel powered engine directly to the AC "motor" to make it a generator AND to directly power the car at typical cruising speeds. Advantages are: still no need for transmission, now only 1 motor that's now also a generator, lighter, less components, and more efficient when cruising with fuel engine as it's direct drive to wheels. Typical small diesel engine could be sized to do the job and allow you to drive at normal cruising speeds while charging too.

Dec 25, 2014 | 02:24 AM

#43

18psi

VladiTuned

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or just go get a prius?

Dec 25, 2014 | 08:28 AM

#44

rleete

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Homebuilt=cool. Prius=***.

Dec 26, 2014 | 11:38 AM

#45

Joe Perez

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Quote:

Originally Posted by patsmx5

Handwaving over some added complexity, you've described the Synergy drive used by Toyota in their hybrids.

Dec 26, 2014 | 11:45 AM

#46

patsmx5

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Perez

Handwaving over some added complexity, you've described the Synergy drive used by Toyota in their hybrids.

Well then it's a conceivably reasonable approach. I wonder how DIY friendly/not friendly this would be? Or another thought, what cost is a used wrecked prius to salvage the system from? Knowing what batteries/motors/controllers cost, a wrecked old prius might be a bargain if it's not impossible to swap over the hybrid system.

Dec 26, 2014 | 02:43 PM

#47

18psi

VladiTuned

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Quote:

Originally Posted by rleete

Homebuilt=cool. Prius=***.

rigging up a *** powertrain in a *** car = full circle? straight?

some of these "ideas" crack me up.

meanwhile, our prius is the most practical and convenient car we own.

I find that sick green NB with electric powertrain running 9's at like 142 really cool though

Dec 26, 2014 | 03:28 PM

#48

Leafy

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prius drivetrain in a CRX would be winning. With the HF motor thats a 50mpg chassis. With a hybrid setup it would be pretty interesting to see how much better it could get. With the HF motor and aero mods its a 136mpg chassis.