Anyone converted a Gen 1 to serial hybrid?

I was curious about mounting an electric motor in the engine bay with a constant speed micro-diesel/genny in the bed. Any ever done one??

 

Serious curiousity at this point -- but -- it's always easier if you don't reinvent the wheel.

 

Subbed for wheel invention.

 

Yes; the ICE is removed. Then the electric motor and adapters is bolted to the bell housing in place of the ICE. Alternatively, I've heard (unverified) it can also be bolted directly to the tranny. An electric motor has instantaneous torque from zero.

In a serial hybrid, the power produced from a genny (and maybe a few extra batteries for boost) is routed to the electric. The Prius is a parallel hybrid (I think). Still learning.

 

Pass me some of that bud. This looks like its gonna be legendary.

 

DO IT!

 

Would kinda look like this:

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Green-Transportation/1979-07-01/Electric-Car-Conversion.aspx


Note the date of the article. There's a *lot* of updated parts available today.


Here's a vid and website about shoehorning an agricultural diesel engine into full size pickups and getting over 40 MPG:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxnU3F6EM-0
http://shadetreeconversions.com/


I've got a nagging feeling 25+ MPG just is not gonna cut it shortly.

 

Look at the brain on this guy!

 

Now this, I totally dig. Are there small conversion shops around the country that will do this sort of work for anyone with the wallet?

 

I inspected (2) totally electric car conversions in the early 90's. One a mid 80's VW rabit and the other a late 80's Escort wagon. Each had a huge over burdonsome bank of batteries 12-or 14 I think. They crushed the oem rear axles and suspension. Each of these cars ran on electric alone.

The unique thing about them was they each had the bowling ball size electric motor you speak of bolted to the trans. They were abosolutly silent and didn't much care what gear they were in. Huge torque at the push of the pedal and scare the guy walking in front of you with a where in the hell did that come from "Silent car burn out". Our big hurdel with making the conversoions legal was Defrost.

The Diesel / generator ~ aala Train sounds cool but not sure how practicle.

I keep looking for a parallel hybrid that just uses the torque of the electric for start and the brake recharge for stops. ~ I'm fine with the petrol engine efficency once under way. But it seems todays hybrid MFG's have it all backwards.

 

i like cereal


but seriously though...seems like a huge undertaking and you will probably spend more money than you will save in gas.

If you do it though...I wanna see pics

 

That about sums it up.