Belaero Build Thread, Here we go again! :-)

[NeilBlanchard]

My limited experience and knowledge about gliders confirms Frank's comments on fillets. Here's a good guide to the dimensions and Cg on reverse trikes:

Three-Wheel Vehicle Handling Characteristics

nice

[todayican]

Progress!

After last weeks setback (mis-measured the interior area and no room for rear riders legs) we got it re-welded today and its looking (and sitting) good!

Also got a couple large go kart seats I will pad and upholster later, they are sooo comfortable.

Also I believe I found some wheels by accident. narrow VW wheels are plentiful but fairly expensive, I may get the rotors drilled and use some temp spare wheels to go with the conti eco contact wheels I got shipped (165 60 15) low RR from a smart car :-)

Here are some pics..

[todayican]

I was pondering just now and had a neat idea, want to run it past everyone :-)

I want to do a serial hybrid, mainly for the ability to keep the diesel drive engine in its bsfc "sweet spot" but recently to engage what Ill call FVT style driving. (The FVT Ale car, I was reading a few posts about it and they employ a strategy of driving the car under power from the ICE and charging the batteries, then shutting down the ICE and running under battery power. I likee! :-)

Anyway, here is what I was thinking. As serial hybrid, a portion of the ICE's output would be for running through the batteries and right back out the controller toward the drive motor, the inneficiencies do add up.

Also, for a highway speed capable vehicle, I have a feeling 72v will be "almost good enough" for speeds of 70 or 75.

(Sure would be nice to keep it at 72v though, Alltrax controller, cheaper chargers, less batts etc)

So, if a portion would be for motive power and a portion would be for charging. perhaps I go series AND parallel hybrid...

Building this would be easier then it sounds, I think. I could have a centrifigual clutch on the diesel with 2 sprockets coming off of it, one to the drive motor to 'push it" at high way speeds and 1 running to a much smaller gen motor to output say 86v (to charge a 24 cell lifepo pack) x 20a

Unless I am missing something, here would be the pluses and minuses:

Pluses:

Motive diesel power would get transferred to the drive wheel with only the chains resistance.

It would help the electric drive motor where it needs it most, highway high speed droning.

It would still be able to charge the main pack.

Minuses:

The diesel would be spending some of its time not smack dab in the middle of the bsfc sweet spot (But not too much it would be pretty constant at 70mph)

Comments? :-)
Thanks

[Frank Lee]

K.I.S.S. always works the best for me.

[todayican]

Simple? Whats the fun in that? :-)

[Frank Lee]

For starters, you get to drive it more than fix it.

[todayican]

True, I was kiddin about the last statement, ridiculous mileage is a goal, and I really think hybrid is a good way to get there.

Actually, using a smaller gen and driving the drive wheel with the diesel seems like a way to simplify some, I have a feeling it will be the thing that helps keep it at 72v as opposed to 96v, and a 2kw dc gen will be a lot easier to figure out then an 8kw one.

[NeilBlanchard]

The FVT eVaro is their serial hybrid vehicle. I have a bunch of pictures of it, if you are interested.

[EcoBill]

ill be keeping an eye on this.

Im still planning, i end up doing more planning then needed tho...like exact measurements and what I will need before hand. Im also working on auto cad, I only have a little experience with it so im trying to make at least 2D models for now.

So your using a diesel motor? Cant wait to see this thing come together.
whats the height of this thing going to be?

I would like to start mine within the month, we have snow on the ground here so my dads old truck is stored in our tent where I was going to work. Ill be sure to start a thread once I get going...


you know of any laws on registering it, if I end up doing a 4 wheel car?