Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > EcoModding Central
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 02-08-2009, 01:08 AM   #1 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 632
Thanks: 0
Thanked 26 Times in 24 Posts
"plug-in mild hybrid" upgrade

I have an idea for a device that will offload the alternator and therefore improve fuel economy. Basically, it will consist of some batteries along with a voltage regulator and control electronics. It will be wired to disable the alternator and take over maintaining charge and voltage. Once it is discharged, it will allow the alternator to take over as usual. It can be made easily removable for charging or a charging connector be integrated into the system.

A simple implementation can just be a battery and voltage regulator that connects to a 12v power outlet. Since the outlet cannot handle enough current to run some large loads like the headlights or A/C, it will only partially offload the alternator.

If the alternator is on a dedicated belt, the belt can even be removed to eliminate all the associated friction losses. Of course, automatic switchover will be impossible if that's done.

__________________
If America manages to eliminate obesity, we would save as much fuel as if every American were to stop driving for three days every year. To be slender like Tiffany Yep is to be a real hypermiler...

Allie Moore and I have a combined carbon footprint much smaller than that of one average American...
  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 02-08-2009, 02:13 AM   #2 (permalink)
(:
 
Frank Lee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: up north
Posts: 12,762

Blue - '93 Ford Tempo
Last 3: 27.29 mpg (US)

F150 - '94 Ford F150 XLT 4x4
90 day: 18.5 mpg (US)

Sport Coupe - '92 Ford Tempo GL
Last 3: 69.62 mpg (US)

ShWing! - '82 honda gold wing Interstate
90 day: 33.65 mpg (US)

Moon Unit - '98 Mercury Sable LX Wagon
90 day: 21.24 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1,585
Thanked 3,555 Times in 2,218 Posts
A battery charging another battery? Did I get that right? Doesn't sound advantageous to me.
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-08-2009, 03:01 AM   #3 (permalink)
aero guerrilla
 
Piwoslaw's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Warsaw, Poland
Posts: 3,691

Svietlana II - '13 Peugeot 308SW e-HDI 6sp
90 day: 58.1 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1,268
Thanked 721 Times in 458 Posts
How about using the alternator only when engine-braking?
__________________
e·co·mod·ding: the art of turning vehicles into what they should be

What matters is where you're going, not how fast.

"... we humans tend to screw up everything that's good enough as it is...or everything that we're attracted to, we love to go and defile it." - Chris Cornell


[Old] Piwoslaw's Peugeot 307sw modding thread
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-08-2009, 09:25 AM   #4 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Ryland's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 3,903

honda cb125 - '74 Honda CB 125 S1
90 day: 79.71 mpg (US)

green wedge - '81 Commuter Vehicles Inc. Commuti-Car

Blue VX - '93 Honda Civic VX
Thanks: 867
Thanked 433 Times in 353 Posts
if you were to use a cog belt instead of a v belt that would take care of alot of the friction issues, then it would just be spining weight and the air drag that some alternators have of their crude fan so a better fan might be in order as well.
you can get dc/dc converters that will drop voltage down from 24 or 48 or even 144 volts dc down to 12 or 13.2 volts dc for running lights in electric cars off the traction battery.
if the alternator is not hooked up to a load then it's field coils are off as well and it's just dead spinning weight.
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-08-2009, 10:24 AM   #5 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 632
Thanks: 0
Thanked 26 Times in 24 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Lee View Post
A battery charging another battery? Did I get that right? Doesn't sound advantageous to me.
The point is that the batteries in the upgrade are designed for deep cycle, so they substitute for the alternator. You just plug it in to recharge it.
__________________
If America manages to eliminate obesity, we would save as much fuel as if every American were to stop driving for three days every year. To be slender like Tiffany Yep is to be a real hypermiler...

Allie Moore and I have a combined carbon footprint much smaller than that of one average American...
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-08-2009, 11:19 AM   #6 (permalink)
Administrator
 
Daox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Germantown, WI
Posts: 11,203

CM400E - '81 Honda CM400E
90 day: 51.49 mpg (US)

Daox's Grey Prius - '04 Toyota Prius
Team Toyota
90 day: 49.53 mpg (US)

Daox's Insight - '00 Honda Insight
90 day: 64.33 mpg (US)

Swarthy - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage DE
Mitsubishi
90 day: 56.69 mpg (US)

Daox's Volt - '13 Chevrolet Volt
Thanks: 2,501
Thanked 2,585 Times in 1,553 Posts
Why not just run deep cycles and have an alternator cutoff switch?
__________________
Current project: A better alternator delete
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-08-2009, 11:59 AM   #7 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 632
Thanks: 0
Thanked 26 Times in 24 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Daox View Post
Why not just run deep cycles and have an alternator cutoff switch?
Deep cycle batteries are not good for starting and the load voltage would be lower. With my idea, the normal starting battery is kept charged, keeping the 14.4v expected by all the loads. The device can also be easily moved from vehicle to vehicle. It can also be used as a portable power supply for other applications.
__________________
If America manages to eliminate obesity, we would save as much fuel as if every American were to stop driving for three days every year. To be slender like Tiffany Yep is to be a real hypermiler...

Allie Moore and I have a combined carbon footprint much smaller than that of one average American...
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-08-2009, 12:10 PM   #8 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Ryland's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 3,903

honda cb125 - '74 Honda CB 125 S1
90 day: 79.71 mpg (US)

green wedge - '81 Commuter Vehicles Inc. Commuti-Car

Blue VX - '93 Honda Civic VX
Thanks: 867
Thanked 433 Times in 353 Posts
Then stop using your starter, most driveways and parking lots have enough slope to bump start.
or with the system I discribed if you had your normal battery for starting that acted as a buffer with the dc/dc converter your lights would never dim and you could still use your starter.

Quote:
Originally Posted by NiHaoMike View Post
Deep cycle batteries are not good for starting and the load voltage would be lower. With my idea, the normal starting battery is kept charged, keeping the 14.4v expected by all the loads. The device can also be easily moved from vehicle to vehicle. It can also be used as a portable power supply for other applications.
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-08-2009, 12:49 PM   #9 (permalink)
EcoModding Apprentice
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Macon,GA
Posts: 176

Ruint Taco - '19 Toyota Tacoma SR Double Cab
90 day: 23.76 mpg (US)
Thanks: 124
Thanked 43 Times in 34 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Piwoslaw View Post
How about using the alternator only when engine-braking?
Rpm limit switch, micro switch on throttle. tap into brake light switch, and relay

Rpm > idle + no throttle= power to relay and connect alternator

Brakes on= power to relay and connect alternator.
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-08-2009, 04:10 PM   #10 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
gascort's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Saint Louis, MO
Posts: 548

Gascort RIP - '93 Ford Escort Wagon
90 day: 43.01 mpg (US)

WifesCruze - '11 Chevrolet Cruze LT
90 day: 31.1 mpg (US)
Thanks: 14
Thanked 25 Times in 16 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by NiHaoMike View Post
Deep cycle batteries are not good for starting and the load voltage would be lower.
I have a deep cycle in my car and it starts up way better than when I didn't have the deep cycle. It's an optima yellowtop, so that may have something to do with it.
If you're worried, keep the car plugged in when you start it, thus relying a bit less on the battery, then unplug quickly, get buckled in, and off you go.

I'm doing this on my car. I have everything set up, but still setting up my mpguino to get a good baseline without the alternator plug-in delete.
Since I only have a 20 minute commute, I'm just going to disconnect my belt and run off the battery. I just need to make some LED headlights designed for my new 12.5v instead of 14.5, or rig up a way to re-aim my lights and use my high beams when I'm using just battery.

__________________
Gasoline, Wind, Solar, Gravity Hybrid-to-be! http://www.scientificmethodfueleconomy.blogspot.com/
  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread


Thread Tools




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com