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Old 11-11-2016, 07:39 AM   #150 (permalink)
LittleBlackDuck
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Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: The Land Downunder
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CT - '11 Lexus CT200h Luxury
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Isaac Zackary View Post
I've been doing a lot of thinking on this. Looks like I'm close to 100% decided.

I'm really wanting to go all-Leaf. I'm just sick of working on old cars I guess. And I don't really want to buy another new one.

So for my Leaf-only-life envisionment to become a reality I'd either need more charging stations and more patience, rent a car when I go somewhere or...

What I've decided on is a single wheel pusher trailer. I'm envisioning a propane V-twin with a direct chain drive to a gokart forward/neutral/reverse gear box (which I would use only forward and neutral for disconnecting). The gear box would be directly chained to the wheel. The idea is having normal RPMs at around 45-55mph.

It would be connected to a normal tow hitch, but instead of a ball it would use a U-joint. I've got a good idea how the suspension will work. I'd make a fiberglass covering to cover the engine and propane tank with proper ventilation paths for cooling.

Throttle operation will normally be wide open with a solenoid that closes it while braking.

The API engine would have been a great project, but a bit more than what I need. This system I'm thinking of should be cheaper than $2,000 total and provide nearly infinite range.
I don't know why you would bother with all this crap on a new vehicle that is totally emission free. Sounds to me like you are trying to ram a square peg into a triangular hole. What about a larger battery pack made from another leaf (or two) that loads into the luggage area for longer trips? More efficient, still zero emissions and does not look totally ridiculous.

Simon
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