DIY EV pusher trailer test on 1st generation 1999 Prius (NHW10) - with photos
 

Trialed an Estima rear pushing the Prius (turtle car) described as
Broooomstick.

On 48V using a Kelly controller and hallprobe shaft
commutation, this pushed the Prius at 20km/hr but limited starting
torque. For good starting torque a 3 phase synchronous type control is still
to be sorted. 144v would be needed to achieve 60km/hr.

George

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1339084204

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1339084204

The Estima rear 18kw unit (Brooomstick) was being tested on the Prius, but it will be ultimately used as an electric power source for this Smartcar:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...4&d=1339108725

For those in North America not familiar (I wasn't!), the Estima is a hybrid minivan only sold in the Japanese market according to this article:

Toyota Estima Hybrid gets a full redesign

http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/06/estimapurple.jpg

It featured a high-output rear motor on a differential to provide electric powered 4-whee-drive (in addition to its hybrid front-wheel-drive setup). Looks like that's what George used in his project.

( Also see this other related project by George: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ius-22193.html )

The Estima rear 18kw unit (Brooomstick) was being trialed as a electric power source for this Smartcar, Which had inappropriately immobilized itself from starting with an electronic keylock at the time, so I had put a Dunce's hat on it. Had to A frame it to a Merc Doctor to recode it!!!!

Present thoughts are to use 2X E-Tech motors, one on each rear wheel and leave IC drive as is, or the pusher trailer in some form.

What exactly is the point of an EV pusher trailer on a vehicle that is already capable of EV low mode at low speeds?

I guess it makes sense on a straight gasser for stop and go traffic jams.

I think a better concept is a generator trailer for use with a light, short range EV.

EVs are pricey now because 100 miles worth of battery pack is big $$$$.

I would think that a simple light EV with a 30 mile range could be made rather cheaply. The question is, how big a generator would be needed to power such a vehicle at 65 mph? Basically, make a Volt, but, the engine is in the trailer, not the car.

This means saved weight, which means less expensive battery. Why should you have to haul around a lump of an ICE when the majority of your driving is well within 30 miles round trip.

The reason you would want a pusher genset on a hybrid is if you have a motor that is more fuel efficient under the load you require at 25mph than the existing motor inside.

Have a look at post #4. The concept was being tested on the Prius, but ultimately intended to push a Smart car.

Something like this? :)

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ius-22193.html

The Pusher trailer was being trialed. The Prius already had 48V 100Ah extra batteries installed and is operating as a PHEV using an Enginer DC-DC converter which can suppliment around 4Kw enough for 36km/hr in EV while the batteries hold out.
It was easy to utilize the already battery enabled Prius to do the testing. The aim at that time was to use the Estima Electric motor, 6:1 gearing and differential assembly either to replace the IC in the smart Car, or to use as a Electric pusher in some way.

Yes I agree entirely with the suggestion that a small range EV with a method of extending the drive when required is a good concept, and Batteries are not only expensive, b ut if the battery cost is factored in as a forward price for your running costs, you are hard pressed to match a Prius C.

Idealism and Reality are in conflict at times.

George S

looks like a good platform to hone your skills and solve alot of problems before you stuff it in a ride. I am interested in the insight concept unlike the prius it can be run on either ice or em . I think adding that type of motor to my techoma would give excellent results .

Pusher trailer
 

I calculated 7.5kW to keep a light streamlined car (based my calculations on a Porsche 924 I am electrifying) traveling at 110kph on flat ground which is a pretty small gen-set. Hydraulic regen is planned for my range extender trailer/sleeper and a permanent magnet generator from a wind turbine is a very efficient generator which could also provide regenerative braking power. Ideally a lightweight small as possible aeroplane alternator (PMG and small gas turbine) would be the power source of choice or a hydrogen to electric cell but I will use a small lightweight 2-stroke rc plane motor. I would like to experiment with an exhaust heat generator to supplement the power output using thermal generators as about 50% of the wasted energy for an ICE is heat. I estimate at least 50% efficiency of converting the fuel energy to motion, rather than the 25-30% of a conventional car as it would be running at optimal rpm the whole time and be mainly a source of heat for power. The idea of a large infernal combustion engine and gearbox in the drive train of a hybrid seems silly to me as electric drive train is so much more efficient. Modern Hybrids have it the wrong way round. The weight saved using a small gen-set to keep the batteries near topped up would in turn require a lot less energy to roll. A cost comparison of replacing the complex and weighty ICE/gearbox in the Prius with a small generator and slightly chunkier electric motors would show it; too heavy to be efficient. There are a lot of small purely conventional cars that get a lot better fuel efficiency with no added complexity. Aerodynamics, lightweight materials, low rolling resistance tyres... no end of ways to improve the car. I don't see the big car makers really trying.