Quote:
Originally Posted by debit.servus
Could the trans be put in in neutral and have the van roll like it's being towed? Couldn't the brake vaccumm and power steer be supplied by equipment powered by the genset?
There is no money for a Prius and teardrop trailer, plus they'll be fried when the EMP happens. Didn't you read the first post? Modern cars might need less servicing, but that servicing costs A LOT more as the parts are hyperspecialized and labor to install the parts is too.
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Can your van be flat towed? If so it's often at low speed and short distances. A vacuum pump is a fairly easy thing to add, power steer less off the genset less so.
Frankly, a Prius ($5k) and DIY camper trailer ($2k) is going to cost you a lot less than this project, once you factor in the fuel savings. Servicing a Prius at the local dealer costs $140, at a time when most charge $350-400, generally rock solid reliability and super easy to work on too. If you know when the EMP is coming you could just sell before then. 50+ MPG (vs 10-15) buys a lot of servicing and parts.
I'm not convinced that using a genset to make electricity to power motors will make your van efficient. How will the vehicle accelerate? It's all well and good to calculate 18Kw needed to cruise at 55, but you'll need probably double that to have any acceleration let alone dealing with hills. Will the controller be able to run directly off the unfiltered genset? Will you actually need batteries so that the slightest incline or acceleration doesn't trip the safety systems? At the very least you'll need a ~40kwh genset to handle hills and headwinds. If you build the system just for flat road 55mph cruising you'll only be getting that theoretical 24mpg for a smaller amount of time.
Start with getting what you have now working efficiently, with an eye for future possible hybridisation. That's why I'd start with power steer, power brakes and making the thing capable of EOC, you'll need that stuff down the line anyway. Same with other tried and tested aeromods, E-Fans etc. You'll still benefit from them down the line.