[GRLUG] OFF TOPIC Electric Car

[Rick Vargo]

Unfortunately, for the reasons you stated, lead acid batteries are
really the only way to go right now. The other methods are out of reach
of DIY'ers for the time being (unless you are loaded). Maybe in about
five years ultra-capacitors will be more affordable as this is the most
efficient way to go.

Rick


Collin Kidder wrote:
> Rick Vargo wrote:
>   
>> I did some research on this a while back and there are some companies
>> out there that make conversion kits for older vehicles that allow you to
>> bolt specific DC electric motors to your transmission (specifically I
>> was looking at converting an S10). It was a relatively simple process
>> but was cost prohibitive at the time (DC motor, charging station,
>> converter, batteries, and plans = $$$). Basically you pulled your motor
>> and replaced it with the DC motor with the converter, then a bit of
>> wiring changes to the car (including adding electric heat) and filling
>> up your truck bed with lead acid batteries. You can even add a solar
>> panel to topper/tonneau cover to help charge the batteries while
>> driving... The truck small pickup is a nice choice for this project
>> because it can hold more lead acid batteries thus extending your range.
>>
>> Rick
>>   
>>     
> Part of the problem here is that lead acid batteries are very heavy and 
> thus the more of them you add the bigger the motor you need to push the 
> vehicle. Lithium or lithium ion batteries have much higher energy 
> density but they can't be constructed very big (so you need a large # of 
> small batteries) and they are more expensive. Ultra capacitors are good 
> for better peak loading but they are expensive too. It's all around a 
> real money pit.
>
> As Adam said, for efficiency you really should have three phase AC 
> motors (preferably running at about 440-600v) but the power inversion 
> kills any efficiency. So it would take some real creativity to make a 
> three phase motor work. I  wonder if it'd be possible to create the 
> necessary input through selective switching of cells. I don't know how 
> easy or cheap it would be to buy enough super high power transistors to 
> do that though. Transistor switching through mosfet gates can be done 
> very efficiently but there is an upper limit to the amount of current 
> you can pass this way. It might work as you don't need so much current 
> when running 600v three phase. It would require substantial electrical 
> experience to pull off.
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