View Single Post
Old 04-05-2012, 12:25 AM   #23 (permalink)
Ryland
Master EcoModder
 
Ryland's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 3,903

honda cb125 - '74 Honda CB 125 S1
90 day: 79.71 mpg (US)

green wedge - '81 Commuter Vehicles Inc. Commuti-Car

Blue VX - '93 Honda Civic VX
Thanks: 867
Thanked 434 Times in 354 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by blownb310 View Post
I'm wondering if an a/c compressor clutch could be used?
there would be very little reason not to have the electric motor spin with the gas engine, an electric clutch like an A/C clutch would add more weight, drag and add to the electrical power needed.

Quote:

I have a particularly long hill that I have to climb going to work every day. I'd love to be able to add about a 5 h.p. assist while climbing it. I know nothing about electric motor technology, but I wonder if a starter motor could be used somehow? [I'm trying to think of a cheap source of a powerful low voltage DC motor.]
A starter motor tends to over heat if you use it for more then 10-15 seconds at a time, that is why your owners manual often tells you to let it rest for 10 minutes for every 10-15 seconds of cranking over, if your car does not start, they are working at their max output just to turn the engine over.
Part of my idea of using a Golf Cart motor is that you can buy them used for about the cost of a rebuilt starter motor, or about $150, only they are a much larger motor that is designed for a more sustained use, they do have the draw back of not having a support bearing on the drive end, but I see that as an advantage, make that bearing support part of the bracket that holds it to the vehicles engine block.
  Reply With Quote