Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > Hybrids
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 06-10-2008, 11:31 PM   This thread is in the EcoModder Project Library | #1 (permalink)
Deadly Efficient
 
Tango Charlie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Goshen, Indiana
Posts: 1,234

Olivia - '03 Pontiac Vibe base
90 day: 36.01 mpg (US)

R2-D2 - '00 Honda Insight
90 day: 58.81 mpg (US)
Thanks: 134
Thanked 176 Times in 91 Posts
Lightbulb powered trailer idea (EV pusher trailer to make conventional car a hybrid)

I just found an old (2005) thread by MetroMPG about a powered trailer. http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ailer-201.html
I was wondering if there was any more thought from the ecomodding community of the merit of such an idea. What situation/application would such an idea be ideal? I'm thinking more along the lines of a trailer assist that would be more universal. i.e.: able to be towed by any standard gas guzzler to help efficiency when being towed. How about a small diesel on the trailer running a generator to power electric drive motors. Like a (scaled down) railroad locomotive.

__________________
-Terry
  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 06-10-2008, 11:36 PM   #2 (permalink)
Batman Junior
 
MetroMPG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,513

Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 52.71 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 60.16 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,058
Thanked 6,957 Times in 3,602 Posts
As a matter of fact... I just sold one of the "surplus" golf cart controllers to a guy in Texas who is building an electric pusher for his PT Cruiser. If he builds it, he'll be the first of many people who've wondered about this idea (that I know of).



More pics of his progress in the builder's Flickr album: http://www.flickr.com/mbarkley



I'd think the best application for something like this would be for low speed "EV mode" and assist.
__________________
Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-10-2008, 11:49 PM   #3 (permalink)
Veggiedynamics
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Alexandria, MN
Posts: 684

Volt12 - '12 Chevy Volt base
Thanks: 0
Thanked 12 Times in 10 Posts
design the trailer properly and you could gain a boat tail out of it.. could serve two functions..

I know I saw a EV Volkswagon with a diesel pusher trailer..running biodiesel.. kind of cool for extended range for EV's
__________________

  Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2008, 07:01 AM   #4 (permalink)
Deadly Efficient
 
Tango Charlie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Goshen, Indiana
Posts: 1,234

Olivia - '03 Pontiac Vibe base
90 day: 36.01 mpg (US)

R2-D2 - '00 Honda Insight
90 day: 58.81 mpg (US)
Thanks: 134
Thanked 176 Times in 91 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroMPG View Post
As a matter of fact... I just sold one of the "surplus" golf cart controllers to a guy in Texas who says he's building an electric pusher for his PT Cruiser. If he builds it, he'll be the first of many people who've wondered about this idea (that I know of).
Cool. Is he a member? If so, hopefully he'll post a thread!

Quote:
Originally Posted by ebacherville View Post
I know I saw a EV Volkswagon with a diesel pusher trailer..running biodiesel.. kind of cool for extended range for EV's
Do you have a link, etc.?
__________________
-Terry
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2008, 08:33 AM   #5 (permalink)
Harebrained Idea Skeptic
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 211

The White Car - '84 Mercedes-Benz 300td
90 day: 28.84 mpg (US)

The Blue Car - '86 BMW 535i
Last 3: 23.86 mpg (US)
Thanks: 19
Thanked 13 Times in 9 Posts
I have to say that this is one of the coolest concepts I've heard about in a while. It's certainly doable!
__________________

  Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2008, 10:21 AM   #6 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 76

Piaggio Fly 150 - '10 Piaggio Fly 150
90 day: 64.8 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
I think that's texoma EV if i'm not mistaken; he started a thread about it here on our site. Small World hey, lol.
__________________
Check out my Green Cars Blog and the DIY electric car Wiki. Enjoy!
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2008, 01:03 PM   #7 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
ttoyoda's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: boston ma
Posts: 381
Thanks: 0
Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts
While a neat idea, any such design should reduce or turn off the trailer power when the vehicle and trailer are not in a straight line. Otherwise the trailer could cause uncontrolable oversteer in a turn. And then you will not be happy.
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2008, 01:27 PM   #8 (permalink)
amateur mech. engineer
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: New York City
Posts: 112

Sporty Accord - '88 Honda Accord LX-i
90 day: 23.25 mpg (US)

Dad's Camry - '01 Toyota Camry CE
90 day: 22.81 mpg (US)

Artie's Camry - '98 Toyota Camry
90 day: 37.3 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 17 Times in 4 Posts
I think the ideal application for a powered trailer is a sports car with a big engine. The trailer could have some kind of power that is more efficient for low power use such as an electric motor, a small gasoline or diesel engine, a hydraulic accumulator, compressed air engine or a flywheel. I think the hydraulic accumulator might be the best solution. It wouldn't use any power when stopped and it could easily be recharged by turning on the car's engine and driving while setting the trailer to pump oil back into the high pressure tank. It could also recover energy while braking. For even better efficiency, it might be good to use a small engine on the trailer to keep the accumulator charged up. The extra engine could shut off when the accumulator was full. One possible complication is that adding an engine might be considered tampering with the emission control system. It might also be possible to use a collapsible windmill to recharge the accumulator or batteries when the vehicle is parked. The trailer could also have some extra room for luggage to add to the skimpy luggage space in sports cars.

This system would save lots of fuel when driving slowly in heavy traffic if the car's engine could be shut off. It might be necessary to add some way of charging the battery, keeping vacuum in the power brake booster, pumping steering fluid for power steering and pumping transmission fluid in an automatic transmission to protect the bearings.

Here are a couple of articles about using hydraulic accumulators in cars.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Green...s-Mileage.aspx

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Green...-Gasoline.aspx

I also like the idea of using a solar and battery powered trailer with a bicycle.
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2008, 02:09 PM   #9 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Carptineria, CA
Posts: 95

The Hulk - '96 Ford Aspire Base
90 day: 51.64 mpg (US)

Black Hole - '06 Kia Rio LX
90 day: 39.16 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Send a message via AIM to steensn
AS Andyman has stated a bit, this is a MUCH harder integration in a new car than an older car. In my base model Aspire with no power steering, no ESP, no auto trans, etc. integration is easy because almost nothing it automated. If you want to turn off the engine and use it to power you forward you have to come up with a VERY complicated system integration that my company into the GM Tahoe 2 Mode Hybrid.

In the end, aren't you just adding a ton of more weight and in-stability to try and garner minimal payback. Would the powered wagon be able to push the vehicle? IE, would the friction of the tires (dependant on trailer weight) be enough to push the vehicle forward? Will it "bind up" under a normal trailer ball and hitch interface?

I'm not saying it won't work, but there are some obstacles to overcome depending on the car make and model. Now not shutting of the car would be a different story, much easier that way.
__________________

2006 Kia Rio


1996 Ford Aspire
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2008, 03:27 PM   #10 (permalink)
Deadly Efficient
 
Tango Charlie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Goshen, Indiana
Posts: 1,234

Olivia - '03 Pontiac Vibe base
90 day: 36.01 mpg (US)

R2-D2 - '00 Honda Insight
90 day: 58.81 mpg (US)
Thanks: 134
Thanked 176 Times in 91 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by ttoyoda View Post
While a neat idea, any such design should reduce or turn off the trailer power when the vehicle and trailer are not in a straight line. Otherwise the trailer could cause uncontrolable oversteer in a turn. And then you will not be happy.
Yeah, jack knifing on snow and ice covered roads would definitely be a concern. But thats what sensors and computers are for.
The guy with the EV porsche pushed by the VW Rabbit trailer claimed no oversteer problems even with (if I remember correctly) full push and the tightest turn radius. No snow in CA, though. *sigh*

__________________
-Terry
  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread


Thread Tools


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Electric car conversion: Project ForkenSwift MetroMPG Fossil Fuel Free 1041 07-28-2014 09:19 AM
Win $100.00 in Free Gas! Design Contest: Ecomod my Ride XFi EcoModding Central 127 02-17-2011 12:07 AM
Guess: how many "labour hours" to make a conventional lead acid car battery? MetroMPG The Lounge 16 10-20-2008 03:57 AM
Active grill block idea holypaulie Aerodynamics 17 10-13-2008 09:31 AM
New EV idea: Inflatable car??? link larrydag Fossil Fuel Free 2 06-02-2008 11:40 PM



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com