DIY Open Source Plug-In Hybrid

[bennelson]

max_frontal_area, I read through your link.

Yep, there have been all sorts of different ideas out there.

I've been a fan of Mr. Sharkey's pusher trailer for some time. It's a neat concept. I'm not interested in doing any kind of a pusher trailer right now, I have to back out of my driveway, almost into an intersection, and trailers are difficult to park downtown. For this project, I'm looking at an integrated vehicle.

For my project, simplicity is a big deal, in that I don't want to have to do any major fabrication, as in really hacking body and frame, welding in strange mounting points, etc, as I think that is beyond a typical home tinkerer. I DO like the idea of "take this axel from this make and model car, and put it on that make and model car!"

I also like the idea of two separate power systems for the vehicle (parallel hybrid) While it's a little more complicated, it means you can still drive the vehicle on the one system if something isn't working on the other. I've found that there are many times that I end up driving a gas vehicle, because I happen to be tinkering on Electro-Metro, and just can't drive it at the time.

If I had a diesel/electric parallel hybrid truck, I could still drive it on bio-diesel when I'm tinkering on the electric. I could also drive it long distance on the diesel, and run it as only electric in town.

I've had fun test-driving my wife's "New" car - the 2004 Prius with the Hymotion pack, except that there's no way to make it run ONLY in electric for in town use. (OK, there IS a way to do it, but it's a pain in the but, and then you can't drive it on the freeway, etc.)

On a manually-controlled parallel hybrid, the driver could simply choose weather to use the engine, the motor, or both.

[cleanspeed1]

You are doing something that I recently wanted to revisit, and looking at cars that would fit immediately that have a little more room for passengers would be the Honda CRV, Ford Escape, Toyota RAV4.

Something I think would be crazy from a style standpoint would be a full size, front drive Olds Toronado, Buick Riviera, Cadillac Eldorado. Why? Came in diesel, and the problems with the Olds diesel have been sorted out. They are not junk when you put a water/fuel seperator on them, add head studs ( kit from ARP is 180.00 ) and Evans Coolant to keep it thermally stable. Find one with a DX motor in it. Then put the electric drive axle in the back. Put two accelerator pedals next to each other in the normal location ( like a small street rod style pedal close enough that you can operate them individuallly and together ). Run the diesel on anything since it's all mechanical. Big, heavy chassis great for putting lots of batteries. Look like an old school playa while being ecologically sound. Still get 30 mpg on the freeway in diesel mode.
Then find a spot so that a modern air bag system can be installed when you roll up to the shows.

But that's just me. I know it may get shot down but that's alright.

[bennelson]

Poor-Man's Linc-Volt!

[cleanspeed1]

Originally Posted by bennelson

Poor-Man's Linc-Volt!

Yeah baby! Who said that Neil Young is the only one that can have all the fun!

[cleanspeed1]

Going down this line, I'd find an RWD GM or Ford axle, get a coupler for the motor and mount it on air coilovers ( keep it simple ).

[max_frontal_area]

i see i failed to get my point across. either way you will have to make a choice. small and efficient or big and powerful. an OM616 into your S10 would only be viable after you rework the cooling system and teach that engine how to breathe, if you add a battery bank, motor and cables to that vehicle you will be left disapointed (quite literally) and find yourself adding a sharky afterall - just to get it moving @ the traffic light.
on the other hand the 60s tornado suggestion could prove to be great. the frontwheel drive setup of that generic motors sled (and another one cant remeber which) would allow plenty of cooling for an ice diesel - the GM 350, 6.2 and 6.5 *should bolt right up. telling the tranny when to shift might be another issue... and the trunk although small for a behemouth would house the electric motor components and some of the batteries easily. considering this vehicle has a real frame plop in all the batteries you want but u will find yourself adding air springs at a minimum (>>>5k LBS)... an axle out of a same year RWD GM is readily available and now you get your way and get to connect the electric motor right up to the pumpkin.

since mid 80s diesel suburbans with the high final drive real axle are said to get 30MPG+, this could become a wiener! therefore it is either light-n-tight with the benefits of incredible efficiency or do what you like and have fun

[max_frontal_area]

someone managed to say it in just a few sentences. as always there is beauty in simplicity:

"Bottom line: putting an electric motor and batteries in your car doesn’t necessarily make it a better or more efficient vehicle. If you convert a heavy, gas guzzling car to electric it will most likely be a heavy, electricity guzzling EV."

[max_frontal_area]

this one was for an existing hybrid like the 5 wheel insight:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tric-7372.html

[bennelson]

Instructables.com has a really good contest going on right now, with a $25,000 grand prize. You have to pitch what you would do for "Independence" for a business or project you would do if you won.

Heck, I'd build the truck with a very nice Lithium battery pack!

Here's the video I entered into the contest:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDNGQctzrrw

Yes, I'm cheesy. Sorry, can't help it, the best I can do is embrace it.

The full contest entry (same thing but with more explanation in text) is at DIY Open-Source Plug-in Hybrid Pickup Truck

[bennelson]

Doh, I also just realized that I never posted in this thread the video I shot two weeks ago!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ivdj_Wfb_Ro