I really don't see disadvantages to this plan

[jg09]

Last time I had an idea like this, I did end up finding a disadvantage later on (Russian mail order brides=not the best idea, for the record), so I'll run this idea past all of you.

I'm already working on converting a Honda CT70 motorcycle to electric power only and I'm eventually going to do a full size bike, too. My goal is to get up to 90 mph on the freeway on electric power only. The more I think about it, the more I realize that I should make an electric car, too. My plan is to buy something lightweight (maybe an Impreza 2.5RS, though a Legacy wagon would be super cool, too), and make a RWD electric motor system. For charging, it would charge itself off of an alternator as well as a solar panel on the roof, and a plug itself for when I was at home. The hardest part I see is waterproofing the electronics, but it's possible. Where would I get an electric motor, that's powerful enough? I know that people use aircraft starter motors on small motorcycles, but that wouldn't work on a car. It'll only make a lightweight dirtbike do about 40 mph.

So what do you guys think?

[decke48]

sounds fun. but a little costly to do for a car. but would love to see it done.

[nipper]

Last time I had an idea like this, I did end up finding a disadvantage later on (Russian mail order brides=not the best idea, for the record), so I'll run this idea past all of you.

I'm already working on converting a Honda CT70 motorcycle to electric power only and I'm eventually going to do a full size bike, too. My goal is to get up to 90 mph on the freeway on electric power only. The more I think about it, the more I realize that I should make an electric car, too. My plan is to buy something lightweight (maybe an Impreza 2.5RS, though a Legacy wagon would be super cool, too), and make a RWD electric motor system. For charging, it would charge itself off of an alternator as well as a solar panel on the roof, and a plug itself for when I was at home. The hardest part I see is waterproofing the electronics, but it's possible. Where would I get an electric motor, that's powerful enough? I know that people use aircraft starter motors on small motorcycles, but that wouldn't work on a car. It'll only make a lightweight dirtbike do about 40 mph.

So what do you guys think?

The alt will eat more power then just propelling the car. It wont be worth the payback.

You need a ton of solarcells on the roof to get any rela power, unless your spending a day at the beach, then it will help. It will help keep the 12 volt battery charged.

Regen is your best bet for what you want the alt to do.

Electrics have been waterproofed for ages, thats the easiest thing to do. People convert cars to electric power all the time, but to do it properly so it actually works can cost you real money.

http://www.didik.com/ev_club.htm
http://e-volks.com/
http://www.electric-cars-are-for-girls. ... n-kit.html (http://www.electric-cars-are-for-girls.com/electric-car-conversion-kit.html)

I have some expertise in this area as I used to work for a fuel cell company in NJ that did just this to several cars.

Don't get me wrong, ive been looking for a Ford Ranger or a Chevy S-10 conversion. I am all for them, as i have an e-bike also. I would love to do a sooby but if you want range the AWD has to go as it steals alot of power.

nipper

nipper

[99gtlimited]

i would suggest looking into compressed air conversion. it's actually pretty cool and much more economically feasible, unless you have a bank roll sitting around for batteries and such. There are compressed air electric hybrid designs in the works too. You can get smaller motors to work on compressed air by only changing out simple parts like rings and putting a compression fitting in the spark plug hole to run the air into.

regenerative braking is also a good thing to look into for recharging and electric drive system.

[nipper]

I am fascinated by the compressed air engine, but there always seems to be one thing they leave out.

If I remember correctly, a air compressor is a real energy hog. No one has yet to add that in the formula from everything i have read.

They are not quiet either.

But i do find an awd manual sooby electric fascinating. It would have a short range but be unstopable.

nipper

[99gtlimited]

I am fascinated by the compressed air engine, but there always seems to be one thing they leave out.

If I remember correctly, a air compressor is a real energy hog. No one has yet to add that in the formula from everything i have read.

They are not quiet either.

But i do find an awd manual sooby electric fascinating. It would have a short range but be unstopable.

nipper

Here's the cool thing about this, you don't run the "compressor" while the car is driving. You can either plug the car in and run the engine in reverse, which will actually compress air back into the tank(s) or you can fill it up at any other compressor or storage tank.

About the noise, compressed air cars are not quiet, but they are considered to be between electric cars and gasoline cars in terms of noise emission, and zero net emissions (from the tailpipe) when traveling at slower speeds (air in--> air out).

Personally i think this is a viable alternative fuel system for the future, there are just some serious safety issues that need to be addressed mainly concerning the storage of compressed air (generally done at ~4500 psi), and the relatively smaller size that compressed air cars take due to the need for lower weight.

check out this link for info on compressed air cars already in production/prototype
http://www.gizmag.com/compressed-air-car-set-for-us-launch-in-2010/8896/

[nipper]

I am fascinated by the compressed air engine, but there always seems to be one thing they leave out.

If I remember correctly, a air compressor is a real energy hog. No one has yet to add that in the formula from everything i have read.

They are not quiet either.

But i do find an awd manual sooby electric fascinating. It would have a short range but be unstopable.

nipper

Here's the cool thing about this, you don't run the "compressor" while the car is driving. You can either plug the car in and run the engine in reverse, which will actually compress air back into the tank(s) or you can fill it up at any other compressor or storage tank.

About the noise, compressed air cars are not quiet, but they are considered to be between electric cars and gasoline cars in terms of noise emission, and zero net emissions (from the tailpipe) when traveling at slower speeds (air in--> air out).

Personally i think this is a viable alternative fuel system for the future, there are just some serious safety issues that need to be addressed mainly concerning the storage of compressed air (generally done at ~4500 psi), and the relatively smaller size that compressed air cars take due to the need for lower weight.

check out this link for info on compressed air cars already in production/prototype
http://www.gizmag.com/compressed-air-car-set-for-us-launch-in-2010/8896/


Allow me to intorduce Myself, I am an automotive engineer by trade.

Air engines have been around for quite some time. To fill thier tanks require an air compressor of some sort. Filling them back up by running the engine backwards requires parking them on rolers of some kind (I dont think you are seriously considerng just driving them backwards). Air compressors are big noisey things if you want a reasonable fill up time. Tata motors is an OK car company, but air engines wont show up here as we are too spoiled by having heat in the winter and ac in the summer. They are also on tiny platforms, which so far americans have not accepted with great zeal.

Also i am seeing no real information about the driveline or any test reports from an independent test house. Wankle and sterling had tons of information before they came out (sterling went no where, wankle is now the rotary).

Tata motors is an interesting brand, and i am watching them carefully, but another issue will be to by an unknown product from an unknown mfg with unknown history in this country. Tata already is having problems getting the worlds cheapest car built.

Heat engines (As they so generically refer to them) are piston engines and turbines. They still have a lot of life left in them, and these things can run any fuel, but most likely will be gasoline, as gas is still the easiest to manage and live with every day.

Air engines for cars have been around for at least 10 years, and i am still waiting.

nipper

[jg09]

Wow, guess there are some disadvantages to my plan. As for the Subaru AWD eating up a lot of energy, remember that I would be converting to RWD, pretty much for that reason. Simplified drive components are another advantage. Compressed air motors, from what I can tell, are cool, but not quite the way I want to go. They seem like a lot more work than they're worth. Especially compared to electric motors.

[99gtlimited]

the thing you really need to look into then is batteries, you'll live and die by them with an electric car, also your recharge system. Those two things make or break and electric car.

[ProjectLGT97]

Use a Honda CRX. I believe there is a kit for it too

[nipper]

Use a Honda CRX. I believe there is a kit for it too

Yup there are a lot of kits out there. Actually kit is a bit misleading. There is the adapter plate which is car specific and the motor coupler to the flywheel, then everything else (where and how to mount stuff) is up to you.

If i had a garage i would have done one of these :)

nipper

[TheAngryPidgeon]

Use a Honda CRX. I believe there is a kit for it too

I used to drive a CRX (Not Electric), and loved it at the time. They're fun little cars, 2/3 as wide as they are long, and handle very well. FWD though...

[jg09]

Hehehe...but if converted to RWD, WOWZA! Plus the consistent torque of electric motors...damn!

[jg09]

I want this one:

www.goingfaster.com/spo/crx-power.jpg (http://www.goingfaster.com/spo/crx-power.jpg)

[liquidracing]

nope

[liquidracing]

nope

[jg09]

Wow, guess there are some disadvantages to my plan. As for the Subaru AWD eating up a lot of energy, remember that I would be converting to RWD, pretty much for that reason. Simplified drive components are another advantage. Compressed air motors, from what I can tell, are cool, but not quite the way I want to go. They seem like a lot more work than they're worth. Especially compared to electric motors.

don't give up 'cause a few people gave you the doubts. if you do it right, it will totally work. problem is:look at the price tag on a chevy volt.

i was looking at doing a hybrid design usng the awd system as part of the solution.
the solution:
1)use the tranny/pumpkin driveshaft as the armerature(requiring significant modification)
2)field magnets position horizontally(ground clearance issues)
3)field magnets that are longer instead of wider(again, clearence issues)

the rest needs to be filled in by an engineer. i envision the driveshaft armerature being more of a power assist rather than a stand-alone electric drive, although that is totally feasible too.

Sometime I'll have to scan in the drawings I did of a system that will allow a conventional motor AND an electric motor. They're pretty sic.

[OutbackMat]

Use a Honda CRX. I believe there is a kit for it too

Yeah, seriously. Why would you NOT start with the lightest, smallest car you can find? Subarus make nice tanks, but lousy EVs. The CRX is probably about as light/old as you can go, though I'm sure a tube-framed, electric MGB would make for a neat one.

[liquidracing]

nope

[jg09]

:lol: Ah yes, since we all strive to be just like Ice-T when it comes to modding our cars. Seriously, though, it's a good point that you've made. You seem like a think-for-yourselfer.

[liquidracing]

nope

[jg09]

Hey, that just made me think about another one of my crazy ideas for my car. Convert to RWD and run a 454! Woo hoo!

[liquidracing]

nope

[jg09]

Oh hell yeah! Actually, I wanna get me a sonny leonard 1900 hp crate motor. What's a mere $90,000, right?

[liquidracing]

nope

[jg09]

nope

:smt017

That goes for both new-found nopes