DIY Open Source Plug-In Hybrid

[junkyard]

Yeah, there are plenty of small displacement diesels out there. A turbo would give you power and you get to keep the mileage.

[ChristsMirror]

Something that you need to consider when installing a desiel engine into a gas vehicle is the fact that a desiel uses much less rpm than gas. IE a desiel runs at about 2k and a gas usually runs at 3k or higher.

I am also considering doing a hybrid pu. I have recently aquired a '94 toyota pu and I know where an '84 toyota desiel 4X4 is that I may be able to pick up for a reasonable sum.
I am considering a true inline hybrid. the motor housing would spin with the flywheel, and the shaft would spin with the input shaft to the transmission. this would completely replace the clutch/torque converter, the starter and the altenator. I have read that automatics have less weight than a standard, and that they can be shifted electroniclly.

Any info or help would be appreciated.

[bennelson]

Interesting concept!

I really know next to nothing about automatic transmissions. Maybe somebody else can weigh in here.

One thing that I liked about the idea of the manual is that it's so simple, and gets better fuel economy. By putting the truck in neutral, I would be able to drive around on just the electric.

[JasonG]

Not sure once the torque converter is removed but I can tell you from removing them, autos are nearly twice the weight of a manual tranny.
The auto will still need fluid for lubrication and will need to run the pump for gear switching purposes.
There are a few that have pulled the TC and used them in EVs that will have more insight.

[bennelson]

The EMIS hybrid truck system uses an automatic transmission, but that's only because their system is computer controlled, using data pulled from the ODB2.

It just simply wouldn't be able to account for knowing what gear you are in and what the clutch is doing easily otherwise.

I figure that with a manual transmission, I can run just the electric while in neutral and other fun fuel economy tricks.

My big issue will be trying to figure out the best way to independently control the ICE and Electric throttles.

[jdchmiel]

I have not read the thread for the Fiero yet, but another suggestion is the first gen toyota MR2. They are parts-bin cars, ie, the front hubs swap out with corrolla hubs of the same year. You can put a fwd electric drivetrain in the front of the car along with some batteries, and the rear trunk is there for extra battery space if needed. I would assume for a hybrid setup you would leave the center tunnel gas tank alone.

Quite a few motors can swap in / have been swapped into the rear including more fuel efficient motors, though usually larger more powerful motors are swapped in. Plus you can pick them up for under 1k in 'needs some tlc' condition or 2500 ish for a daily driver that is 25 years old type condition, ie some things are worn, but it basically works fine as is.

I know a few mr2 full electric conversions have been done, but know of no hybrids. It has been mentioned a few times in various AWD threads on mr2oc dot com, but more of a talk rather than a do sense.
In other news, being a parts-bin kind of car, even 2nd and 3rd gen parts can be adapted, like electric power steering, which if you add electric fwd will prob be desired since the car is manual steering.

3rd in my list of biggish projects is to do an electric supercharger in the front of one of my MR2's . forklift motor, 36-48 volts, cheapish 400 amp curtis or similar controller, Eaton SC , fuel computer for completely non-economy reasons

[bennelson]

Didn't know about that car that way. I've seen a few around, they're pretty cool-looking cars.

If anyone knows of other vehicles that are front/rear drive that match up with parts of other cars that are popular/cheap/easily-available, Please let us know!

[jdchmiel]

I guess I did not specifically say so, but in case you did not realize from the Fieror reference, the MR2 is mid engine rear wheel drive. IE it has a corolla drivetrain stuck in the back, leaving a big empty space in the front trunk, and a decent sized trunk behind the engine bay. So not a front engine rwd car at all.. Do you specifically want to pursue a front engine rwd for the driveshaft mount electric motor now?

[bennelson]

More than anything, I'm trying to collect ideas of a few different ways of building a relatively straight-forward plug-in hybrid that would be simple enough to bring down the barriers of entry. Any way to make it easier/simpler/cheaper.

Cars with interchangeable parts that match up with other popular cars would certainly be one way to build a hybrid in such a way that others could easily repeat it.

For me, right now I am leaning towards a front-engine, rear-wheel project, because it is what I have available to me, including already having some of the parts that would be required for the project. For example, I already have a pickup truck with the engine removed, and a properly-size DC series-wound motor. While it would still be a big huge summer project, I've got half of what I need for a diesel/electric plug-in hybrid.

I'd love to have other people say, "Hey project sounds great, I'm going to build one too, but do it this way!" The more projects we can start, and share all the information on them, the better!

[max_frontal_area]

similar thoughts were going through my head for building a commuter:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...e-15874-2.html

the main ideas were simplicity, light weight execution (fewest parts/batteries -therefore 48VDC, best economy and the lack of a frame [unibody]), 2 completely INDEPENDENT power systems, precious ($$$) electric power used only used for cruise, freewheeling electric motor - when not in use (lightweight, minimal transmission losses, simple), on board solar power for aiding charging in OR refilling batteries when vehicle is parked, and while finding out about duty cycles it became immediately apparent that liquid and forced air cooling the low voltage electric motor was going to be a requirement for continuous use!

at press time i didnt know about 36V motors, thanks for pointing that out ben - it will save an additional 50lbs: Lifeline Batteries - Marine & RV Deep Cycle Batteries making this project even more realistic.
since then i have also thought of a thermostatically controlled battery cooler
considering charge rates would likely have to be high since using a diminutively sized battery bank.
finally the addition of methane gas to the intake air of the IDI diesel, turbo or NA would drive the efficiency of this rig through the roof.
virtually free fuel, since excess doggy doo doo, grass clippings, water and sunshine which are used for methane generation are abundant in american homes.

now, THIS is the S***T you wanna accelerate with!

re-inspired i shall do a new weight analysis...