19bonestock88's 2004 Saturn "Ion Green Line" build... - Page 37 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

19bonestock88 · 03-24-2021, 01:21 PM

Would it help to insulate the battery pack? In theory the Headway cells can generate just enough amps to start the engine on their own

Ecky · 03-24-2021, 01:28 PM

That's exactly what I did. I even put a couple of small 12v pad heaters in with it, along with a thermostat, but I never ended up using that functionality.

19bonestock88 · 03-24-2021, 01:37 PM

It’s been a while since we have seen negative temperatures in WV but during the winter it does get down into single digits, hence my hesitation to get a lithium pack

19bonestock88 · 03-25-2021, 01:19 AM

Anyway, I’m considering just getting a can of sealant and a plug kit and inflator and ditching the spare and jack. If I did that and also switched to a group U1 lead acid battery I could ditch the whole spare tire well and replace it with a flat plate

Piotrsko · 03-25-2021, 11:16 AM

Driven the ranger with the volt pack in 20 degree weather no appreciable heat. Current delivery was cut in half and voltage drop was correspondingly doubled. Otherwise normal operation. I improved things with a pipe heater wrap but not significantly.

If you supersize the pack......

19bonestock88 · 03-25-2021, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piotrsko

Driven the ranger with the volt pack in 20 degree weather no appreciable heat. Current delivery was cut in half and voltage drop was correspondingly doubled. Otherwise normal operation. I improved things with a pipe heater wrap but not significantly.

If you supersize the pack......

If I doubled up my pack I’d be almost ahead (weight/cost wise) to install the $20 group U1 lead battery instead and not have the temperature issues. Sadly I don’t think I could safely mount a lead acid battery inside the cabin, which would mean I wouldn’t get to delete the few feet of cable going from cabin into trunk

19bonestock88 · 03-30-2021, 06:44 PM

Got some work done on the Saturn today, in the form of a rear diffuser. Made an aluminum framework to support the coroplast and used three large pieces

19bonestock88 · 04-02-2021, 05:31 AM

Random question related to my diffuser. It was suggested to me that unless I had a perfect seal at the front end of the panel it would be useless? I don’t have a perfect seal where the wheel wells meet the diffuser panel, am I losing out on drag by not having sealed that up?

Piotrsko · 04-02-2021, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19bonestock88

Random question related to my diffuser. It was suggested to me that unless I had a perfect seal at the front end of the panel it would be useless? I don’t have a perfect seal where the wheel wells meet the diffuser panel, am I losing out on drag by not having sealed that up?

Probably, but I dare anyone of the experts to quantify exactly how much drag you have. I would think it's negligible compared to what was there before.

19bonestock88 · 04-02-2021, 11:19 AM

I’m honestly thinking the same. I may attempt to seal them when the rear wheels come off to do sway bar mounts (issues mounting aftermarket bar), but I’m not in any big hurry to get under there. Next will be a mid belly pan that also shields the fuel tank and shrouds the axle beam and sway bar, but that will have to come after some rust repair and subframe connectors. I wanna stiffen the chassis up and make necessary repairs while I’ve got the grinder and welder out. Should add about 20lb overall that I can cut out from somewhere else less important