Pusher/generator trailer idea.

[Stubby79]

Hmm. Anyone tried using the exhaust gasses from an ICE to heat a boiler? Though you'd probably get more power out of a "5-stroke" engine setup. I wonder if you could convert a 6 or 8 cylinder engine in to a "5-stroke"...half the cylinders run normally...then push their opposing cylinder with the exhaust gases.

Wake me up when you have it working.

[Isaac Zackary]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Or use naptha instead of water?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naphtha_launch

Awesome idea! Carrying around a bunch of superheated vaporized high pressure fuel might be a little unsafe. But it's an awesome idea!

[Erasmo]

Originally Posted by Stubby79

Hmm. Anyone tried using the exhaust gasses from an ICE to heat a boiler? Though you'd probably get more power out of a "5-stroke" engine setup. I wonder if you could convert a 6 or 8 cylinder engine in to a "5-stroke"...half the cylinders run normally...then push their opposing cylinder with the exhaust gases.

Wake me up when you have it working.

I think a regular turbo would be much more efficient.

Originally Posted by Isaac Zackary

I'm still thinking about that one. The trailer would have to fold up. We're talking about something that can fold out to over 500 square feet. That's what it would take to get the battery charged in my Leaf in 4 hours.

Only if you charge midday in the summer on a cloudless afternoon...

[Isaac Zackary]

Ok folks. So my first summer in my EV is coming. As far as a range extender is concerned I've been looking at some wrecked Honda CBR 300's. I'm thinking of possibly either using the engine as generator (if I can get make a 400V generator) or as a pusher. If I did a generator I'd get a large 12kW BLDC motor and rewire it with thinner wire but in more turns. I'm actually wondering if I could make this small enough to fit in the car itself and skip the trailer idea. Anyhow, this is just another one of my ideas.

[oil pan 4]

Get a 3 phase 277/480 4 wire wye wound alternator and wire the rectifier for line to neutral only. Should put your right at 400v DC.

[Isaac Zackary]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

Get a 3 phase 277/480 4 wire wye wound alternator and wire the rectifier for line to neutral only. Should put your right at 400v DC.

Great idea! I wonder what those cost? If the armature is wound it would make it much easier to control voltage and amperage.

[oil pan 4]

Oh yeah it will be a wound armature.
Depends on how many kw you want, I don't know the price but it could be up there.

[Astro]

Originally Posted by Isaac Zackary

... I'm actually wondering if I could make this small enough to fit in the car itself and skip the trailer idea. ...

Or if you have a trailer hitch (sounds like you do) then make a small platform/cage/box to bolt onto the trailer hitch to carry the small engine and generator. I think that would make it a bit easier as you wouldn't have to route the exhaust out of the car. Also the motor heat would be dissipated outside the car rather than in it (thinking of summer temperatures). As long as the set up was secure enough, so you don't lose anything on the road or whilst parked unattended.

[oil pan 4]

My next project is going to be to turn my 17.5kw generator into its own high way trailer using left over parts from my 4x8 trailer rebuild. It's going to be fairly light weight only weighing around 500lb.

Have you figured out a way to charge while driving?
Or will this be only for when stopped?

That's one of the main reasons I don't like production EVs the OEMs have engineered the vehicles away from making it remotely east to charge while moving.
But I know anything is possible with enough time and money.

[freebeard]

They don't want you driving off while it's still plugged in.

I'd go with a Vespa motor scooter converted to a single wheel trailer.