Patented hybrid conversion solution from Germany
 

Hi there.

From 2008 to 2010, a german inventor installed a 12V DC 400W electric motor to the alternator beltdrive of his Peugeot 206 HDI diesel, powered by a 12V starter pack you can recharge at home and reached 60.3 MPG. Without the help of the starter pack he reached 49.0 MPG. After this success he patented his invention.

In early 2011 it was shown on TV in Germany. At the end of the year the inventor said, that due to the fact that no one in Europe was interested in his invention, he is trying to introduce his invention in Asia.

He told that a conversion kit would have been about 1000€ - 1500€, depending on the options with/without additional solar cells in the car.

I'm asking myself if this could be done DIY. It sounds so easy to do.

Welcome to the site.

Similar things have been discussed quite a bit here. I'd suggest looking through the hybrid section. It definitely can be done.

400W is nothing and I'd highly question the inventor's testing methology. I'd bet most of his gains came from not using the alternator. That has shown up to a 10% increase in fuel economy on a gas engine. I'd expect slighly less on a diesel.

The testing cycle was done by the german board for technical inspection (TÜV), so the results had an official character.

2/3hp is nothing

12v x 1000amp controllers exist (aka 12kw) a setup like this coupled with an avionics type motor generator could do what you state, understand that the battery & controller would need to mount directly next to the motor and that the motor would need to weigh a ton.

I bet it required adjusting the nut behind the steering wheel and management of the 12 volt accessories. :turtle:

Interesting. So if im understanding this correctly, he used an electric motor to drive his serpentine belt. Makes some sense I guess, but what happense when you run out of juice? I think it would be more economical to eliminate that belt all together, and just charge the battery before every use. Maybe add in a mechanical clutch system to enguage the alternator on long trips. Solar, regen breaking, wind regen when breaking to recharge the larger battery.

GM used this exact type of system (albeit at a higher voltage) on their hybrid malibus and the like the LAP system.

"Plug-In Hybrid Retrofit Kit Using Alternator as Motor"
ECA-Systems is doing the same thing. He posted it on ecomodder under the title above.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tor-23884.html

You don't really need all that kit for 60 mpg in a light(ish) 206 HDi. ;)

I can get 60 mpg out of my heavier V50 1.6L "HDi" when the DPF regeneration isn't working against me.
The 1.4 HDi should do even better ...

I don't really see how it's going to work with merely a 400W motor.
That's a mere 0.54 HP.

(ECA Systems are using 8000W or close to 11 HP, which is around what you could actually drive a car with @ constant speed.)