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Old 01-28-2010, 10:32 AM   #5 (permalink)
MetroMPG
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
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Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 52.71 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 60.16 mpg (US)
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Generator trailers have been done before, as Piwoslaw mentioned. As have "pusher" trailers. So the options are out there for you to study:

A few links:



AC Propulsion generator trailer for its Tzero electric car:

Quote:
AC Propulsion also produced a portable internal combustion powered generator mounted on a trailer known as the Long Ranger that could be towed behind the car and feed power to the batteries during travel. The trailer used a 500 cc Kawasaki engine with a 9.5 U.S. gallon (40 liter) fuel tank and achieved 30 to 35 mpg over at least 20,000 highway miles. It is rated at 20 kW DC output and can maintain 60 to 80 mph. Video footage of the backtracking feature, which allows drivers to easily back a trailer through a set of slalom cones.
AC Propulsion tzero - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Example of a "pusher" trailer:



EV Pusher Trailer

Quote:
The idea of the pusher trailer and/or generator trailer is to give the normal EV long-range capability with fast fuel stops without permanantly installing an IC hybrid system in the vehicle. This saves the weight, and complexity, of having the IC engine with you (in the EV) for the 80+% of driving that is done within the EV's normal range. For long-range operation, the IC engine will take over all of the load and battery drain will cease or slowly reverse.
On that page, the builder also lays out the pros & cons of pushers and generators.
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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
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EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
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