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Andyman · 05-10-2008, 01:33 PM

Thanks for the feedback guys. For me the commuting often involves getting on my bicycle and riding about six miles in 25 minutes. I haven't used my car in more than a week. If I have to go to Brooklyn by car it's usually bad. Lots of stops and slow driving. I don't go there often. Normally I try to use the big highways in the car and avoid rush hour. On the bicycle I sometimes use the Greenway bike/pedestrian path part of the way but it's probably a slower route most of the time.

I took a look at <www.99mpg.com> and I like the E+wheel concept. If the van is going 45 MPH while getting 75 MPG, you can do division and find out that the idling engine uses 0.6 gal/hr of gasoline. If you then multiply by 12.5 hp-hr/gal (6.25 lb/gal / 0.5 lb/hp-hr) you find out that a small engine should make about 7.5 hp with that fuel flow rate. That is probably not enough to make a Caravan go 45 MPH. I think it would need at least 12 hp. Something over 40 MPG may be possible at 45 MPH.

I was thinking about something similar to an Ewheel but powered by a hydraulic motor. There could be a hydraulic accumulator that stores braking energy and energy from the extra engine. I found a couple of stories about this but they had their original transmissions removed. I'm hoping that a simpler conversion is possible. Here are the stories:

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Green...s-Mileage.aspx

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Green...-Gasoline.aspx

Here are a couple of stories about using a small engine and an electric motor:

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Green...ectic-Car.aspx

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Green...Hybrid-II.aspx

This last one has a diesel engine on a trailer. It can be disconnected for short trips.

Now here's a story about a pickup truck modified by the same guy. He says it can get 90 MPG.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Renew...ctric-Car.aspx

Andy

05-10-2008, 01:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
Andyman amateur mech. engineer Join Date: May 2008 Location: New York City Posts: 112 Sporty Accord - '88 Honda Accord LX-i 90 day: 23.25 mpg (US) Dad's Camry - '01 Toyota Camry CE 90 day: 22.81 mpg (US) Artie's Camry - '98 Toyota Camry 90 day: 37.3 mpg (US) Thanks: 0 Thanked 17 Times in 4 Posts	Thanks for the feedback guys. For me the commuting often involves getting on my bicycle and riding about six miles in 25 minutes. I haven't used my car in more than a week. If I have to go to Brooklyn by car it's usually bad. Lots of stops and slow driving. I don't go there often. Normally I try to use the big highways in the car and avoid rush hour. On the bicycle I sometimes use the Greenway bike/pedestrian path part of the way but it's probably a slower route most of the time. I took a look at <www.99mpg.com> and I like the E+wheel concept. If the van is going 45 MPH while getting 75 MPG, you can do division and find out that the idling engine uses 0.6 gal/hr of gasoline. If you then multiply by 12.5 hp-hr/gal (6.25 lb/gal / 0.5 lb/hp-hr) you find out that a small engine should make about 7.5 hp with that fuel flow rate. That is probably not enough to make a Caravan go 45 MPH. I think it would need at least 12 hp. Something over 40 MPG may be possible at 45 MPH. I was thinking about something similar to an Ewheel but powered by a hydraulic motor. There could be a hydraulic accumulator that stores braking energy and energy from the extra engine. I found a couple of stories about this but they had their original transmissions removed. I'm hoping that a simpler conversion is possible. Here are the stories: http://www.motherearthnews.com/Green...s-Mileage.aspx http://www.motherearthnews.com/Green...-Gasoline.aspx Here are a couple of stories about using a small engine and an electric motor: http://www.motherearthnews.com/Green...ectic-Car.aspx http://www.motherearthnews.com/Green...Hybrid-II.aspx This last one has a diesel engine on a trailer. It can be disconnected for short trips. Now here's a story about a pickup truck modified by the same guy. He says it can get 90 MPG. http://www.motherearthnews.com/Renew...ctric-Car.aspx Andy Last edited by Andyman; 05-10-2008 at 05:44 PM.. Reason: found another article about hybrid power