Electric WAI

[RedDevil]

We'll see. Even if the warmth has no effect on the combustion, at least it would reduce pumping losses by making the air less dense. Though that will only make for a few % improvement.

[cptsideways]

Landcruiser 24v 4.2TD's have these as standard, its a heater element in the intake manifold

[Cobb]

xyz, 85 thousand miles and counting. Ive already exceeded 100 mpg and ironically you get the better fuel economy from being agressive with this car.

serialk11r, thats my guess too, not to mention its likely in the otto cycle vs atkinson cycle too.

Red, be interesting to see the results. Of course here when its cold out its right around freezing 32 f / 0 c. I tried removing the snorkle and flipping it around to suck from the rad, but after 10 miles mpg tanks. It seems for trips 10 miles or more you need cold air for better mpg.

Maybe instead of feeding it warm air you can just rig up resistors and switches to feed fake signals to the cpu to make it think its warmer? Some of the gen 1 owners move the ambient temp sensor closer to the rad vs on edge of the bumper or just replace it with a resistor to enable auto stop and such at cold temps.

[XYZ]

Originally Posted by Cobb

xyz, 85 thousand miles and counting. Ive already exceeded 100 mpg and ironically you get the better fuel economy from being agressive with this car.

You say you have exceeded 100 MPG and that your driving style is that of "hauling ass" and flooring it.

Is this credible? Or are we driving on the unicorn speedway?

[RedDevil]

Cobb used his 4 kW PHEV kit to get to 100 mpg.
I want a PHEV kit too, making it essential to retain heat; a eWAI could help heat the engine and with the electric backing its power use is not an issue.

Cobb is right about aggressive acceleration.
Accelerating moderately will have the Insight use EV boost even while not at WOT. Once at speed it goes into regen to make up for the power spent; some energy gets lost in the conversion.
Accelerating hard will have full boost for a very short time, so less regen.
Accelerating very gently uses no boost, this is what I aim for when possible.

Got a couple of free days after Christmas to try some out; spending the week at my inlaws, hopefully they keep the kids busy a bit. Had hoped to do some today but never got the chance, babysitting my Asperger son and daughter while my wife was in the choir singing. I can dream but my hands are tied.
With lots of time to think but little to act I must do the latter to max efficiency.

[Cobb]

Anyhoo, re-reading the first post I assumed the poor winter mpg was related to the following.

1, winter fuel that is full of non value added fluids other than gasoline.

2, cold air is more dense and takes more energy to plow through.

3, sleet, snow, slush all take more effort to drive through, makes the vehicle heavier and cause it to drive at a slower than efficient speed.

4, more fuel is needed to maintain operating temp, not to mention achieve it.

5, additional fuel is needed to heat the nut behind the steering wheel.

I was on a long drive once and fooled with the heater. When turning the heater on to blow more heat I could watch my mpg average start to drop, turning it down I saw it come back.

My question was rather using an electric heater vs the water powered one that came with the vehicle would make more economical sense?

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[oil pan 4]

Originally Posted by XYZ

You say you have exceeded 100 MPG and that your driving style is that of "hauling ass" and flooring it.

Is this credible? Or are we driving on the unicorn speedway?

Problem with gasoline engine is the isobaric expansion on the intake cycle.
Its is unavoidable, on a small 4cyl car going 60mph isobaric losses can equal 2hp, that doesn't sound like much but when you consider it only takes 10 to 12 horses to push the car down the road 2hp is substantial.

You can reduce isobaric losses through harder acceleration.

Lucky for me diesels don't have this constant battle between opposing forces.

[oil pan 4]

Originally Posted by Cobb

Anyhoo, re-reading the first post I assumed the poor winter mpg was related to the following.

1, winter fuel that is full of non value added fluids other than gasoline.

2, cold air is more dense and takes more energy to plow through.

3, sleet, snow, slush all take more effort to drive through, makes the vehicle heavier and cause it to drive at a slower than efficient speed.

4, more fuel is needed to maintain operating temp, not to mention achieve it.

5, additional fuel is needed to heat the nut behind the steering wheel.

I was on a long drive once and fooled with the heater. When turning the heater on to blow more heat I could watch my mpg average start to drop, turning it down I saw it come back.

My question was rather using an electric heater vs the water powered one that came with the vehicle would make more economical sense?

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Only way I can see electric heat being more efficient is if you have a seat heater, for get about heating the air and it being more efficient.

[XYZ]

Originally Posted by Cobb

Anyhoo, re-reading the first post I assumed the poor winter mpg was related to the following.

1, winter fuel that is full of non value added fluids other than gasoline.

2, cold air is more dense and takes more energy to plow through.

3, sleet, snow, slush all take more effort to drive through, makes the vehicle heavier and cause it to drive at a slower than efficient speed.

4, more fuel is needed to maintain operating temp, not to mention achieve it.

5, additional fuel is needed to heat the nut behind the steering wheel.

I was on a long drive once and fooled with the heater. When turning the heater on to blow more heat I could watch my mpg average start to drop, turning it down I saw it come back.

My question was rather using an electric heater vs the water powered one that came with the vehicle would make more economical sense?

12V Direct Hook Up Ceramic Heater Fan Swivel Base RV camper Automotive Portable | eBay

Apparently you are in Miami, FL. Not much need for generating heat there. Lucky you.

[Cobb]

BULL CRAP!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by XYZ

Apparently you are in Miami, FL. Not much need for generating heat there. Lucky you.

Yeah, seems the ima system is like 60% efficient. http://api.viglink.com/api/click?for...13877685335268