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Old 02-02-2009, 07:26 PM   #22 (permalink)
Clev
Wannabe greenie
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Yorba Linda, CA
Posts: 1,098

The Clunker (retired) - '90 Honda Accord EX sedan
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Mountain Goat - '96 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 SuperCab
90 day: 18 mpg (US)

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Dave View Post
The easiest way to go for hybridization is to shorten your drive shaft and put a double-ended DC motor into the drive line. It could reduce the torque requirement on the engine while accelerating – improving MPG – and it would harvest energy in regenerative braking mode.
Do they make an overriding clutch strong enough to handle the power from the engine? That way, the DC motor could still operate independently of the engine when desired. Only problem is that finding a strong DC motor/controller that can handle regen is difficult. (Zapis can do it, but they tend to be unreliable.)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Dave View Post
Or you could go for the full series-hybrid. Remove the existing engine and simply bolt on an electric motor. Put a diesel genset in the bed and sling batteries where you can.
I like that idea. Do they make a boxer-type diesel that could mount under the bed? (Or maybe mount a toolbox in the bed, then cut out the bottom. Hide the engine in there.)
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