DIY mild hybrid idea

[kingsway]

I like the idea of being able to start quietly and smoothly - without noise and wear to ring-gear and pinion etc. So even if it was able to start the engine and do regenerative braking that would be great....

But - what would be the cost of an aircraft type motor/generator?? Is the reason we haven't seen this done , down simply to cost?

[Simtronic]

It has been done it is the principle of the Hybrid or almost hybrid like the earlier Honda

[tjts1]

The way I see doing a simple DIY mild hybrid is to leave the gasoline engine to just turn the wheels, everything else run off a plug in battery. This means electric AC compressor, electric PS pump, maybe electric water pump and add an AC clutch to the alternator (200a alternator). Add a small lithium pack (2kwh?)in the trunk that can output 14v while powering every accesory for 1-2hours, plug it in over night to recharge. You can trigger the clutch on the alternator whenever the engine is decelerating or braking to add a bit of energy recovery. Once you deplete lithium pack after an hour or two, the alternator clutch stays on continuously so the car runs like normal. This should be worth about 20-25% reduction in fuel consumption for a typical car and increases the amount of power going to the wheels when you really want it.