To expand quickly on the last post in regards to the hybrid decision. Firstly Centurion #4 will be driven primarily in a Suburbia setting. Secondly my work schedule is 12hr shifts half the month and I live only 6.5mi from my job. I can get to work either by surface streets or utilizing the freeway. Either way I go I am experiencing stop and go traffic. Lastly I really want to get away from using fossil fuel where I can.
So hybridizing makes sense for me with Centurion #4 due to its small size and light weight. Shoot it almost makes more sense to go all electric since It is primarily an in town low speed commuter. However there will come a day when I drive it out East for the Green Grand Prix and unfortunately battery technology is not quite there just yet lol for me to use on a cross country road trip. So the 2 cylinder Kubota has to be a part of the design in order to make it long distances.
The electric components I have selected will enable me to drive on electric only not only on surface streets but also on the freeway without issue. This turns Centurion #4 into an BEV the vast majority of the time. The lithium batteries will give me a range good enough to get me to and from work and then some on a single charge. I will first start off with the 48V architecture and then after that is tested out move to a more capable 72V setup. The components were selected with the help of other finished cars that can be viewed in the EVAlbum. The car I paid most attention to was a Geo Metro build completed by John Loveless =
John's 1992 Geo Metro John also has a website dedicated to his electric movement =
Home - John Saves Energy
John's website is great and fact filled with all kinds of tips. There is also an BEV Range calculator that can be manipulated for your specific cars specs. Eventually the Centurion will be using the 72V system which is what the Geo Metro build used and the ME0913 is a similar sized electric motor as the Geo but with a more beefy top end at 30kw peak. The next components that I will need to source are the DC to DC converter as well as the Controller for the PMAC motor. I will not be using an onboard charger since I have the Kubota diesel which will act as a superb generator for the Lithium batteries.
The hybrid design will be a parallel setup where the ME0913 will be attached via direct drive right to the Kubota crankshaft. This will give me the ability to use the Centurion in either electric assist or full electric modes. This setup will come in handy during pulse and glide scenarios on the freeway. Another benefit is while in stop and go traffic no diesel will be used thus reducing my CO2 and other harmful pollutant outputs. Another advantage is I can get rid of my little Kubota starter motor which was way to small to ever think about a start stop micro hybrid design setup.
At this point Centurion #4 is well on its way to being a very interesting ride with modern technology mixed with back in the day simplicity. It will be interesting to see just how it performs once I get it all dialed in.