Buickanddeere other like mindedgot to do something

Hopefully this will start a serious thread which others will alsom gain from. Been noticing what part of monthly expenses goes to gasoline. In the past I did build an electric truck which really did excede my expections, however a new efficent controller , now living in more rolling terrain, or winter heat,or summer airconditioning ,dim headlights, range, battery cost has me really thinking what is the proper direction. Also the fact I started with a standard cab ranger small pick-up and my 6'6" frame was cramped dictated starting with a different platform. I do have the electric motor still coupled to a 3 speed chev transmission. with the last set-up 42 mph was top with the voltage and gearing. This was good living in a small wyoming town. now I need more speed and range. The resourses I have to use include the following, small wakashaw 4 cy engine from an aircraft generator, Engine is in excelent condition and would pull alternator , air conditioner vaccum for power brakes power steering and coolent for heat, has small radiator. I also have a thomas speed controll from M&M combine which allows full engine speed down to standing, however its heavy. Its like oliver used on lugmatic but I think smaller. Possibilities are start with larger pickup or 0ne/half ton rating, use electric with small walkshaw for heat accesories and 12 volt seperate for lighiting and other creature conforts. Speed possible and power are problems as well as battery cost which is getting really high. A decent controller is going to cost $750.00 to $1000.00. I have been told a large truck alternator will put out much higher voltage with no damage to the alternator if rated amperage is not exceded. How to make a regulator for 80 volts is a problem. On the other hand either a constant speed gasoline or diesel engine can be very energey efficient. I think the thomas speed controll in front of a manual transmission providing lower ratios as well as reverse would possible give great economy. I am thinking older combine engine as some combines used slant 6 chryslers with gonveros . I also have a 4 cylinder jd power unit from a combine (30) which I believe is same as 1010 and 2010 tractor. Possibly a diesel power unit of about 200 or larger cubic inches would work. my email is bills [email protected] I would really appreciate much serious consideration on this project and would be more than willing to work with others wanting to travel on highways more economly

The "thomas speed controll from M&M combine" you mention is HORRIBLY inefficient.

It was simply a finned drum/reservoir with a hydraulic pump in it and speed was controlled by restricting the output of the hydraulic pump as increased output torque was desired. At low speeds the speed/torque reduction was simply converted to heat by the hydraulic oil flowing through the restriction.

Thank you this is the kind of input I need and helps so much before starting on a project

The 80 volt voltage regulator isn't a great problem with solid state. So long as the field control transistor can handle the voltage, a couple resistors can lower the high voltage down to a handy voltage for comparison. I built one for a turbine on a steam locomotive, used a power fet for the pass transistor for the field, and used a resistor to turn the FET on. Then I hooked up a TL431C programmable zener diode to shunt the gate drive to the fet when the sample voltage exceeded the internal reference voltage of 2.5 volts in the TL431C. Its worked for several years now.

Ford Rangers are quite a bit larger than they used to be. Half ton pickups have grown unreasonably large, as big as a 1 ton.

Its very hard to get economy without reducing weight, and lead acid batteries are the heaviest, but still about the most practical when you have to pay for them, though their energy density is much lower than the fancier technologies. Edison cells aren't all that bad, but are hard to find these days. They tend to not wear out and that has put the companies making them go out of business.

Controllers should be switching to keep the controller efficiency very high. And that's fairly new technology, but not horribly new.

Most mechanical variable speed drives are inefficient or fragile or both.

Gerald J.

Interesting project. A small efficient (modern) diesel 15 HP (no more) connected shaft to shaft with an alternator designed for that RPM, and voltage is the key to both accessory and comfort, as well as range extension. Permanent magnet DC motors are also very important in the effort to use every Erg. of energy. JimN

that sounds good the little wakashaw is about that size seems very fuel efficent I did wonder about a belt to the electric with a combine electric clutch as a backup or extra on hills as well as what you say I am guessing it is about 3000 rpm I think automotive alternators would have to run faster??? However that solves a lot of other problems. The controler is the big hurtle as well as batteries Thanks for your input,,, Bill

Back in 1979, I was living at Grafton Ill, on the east side of the Mississippi river, and used to run the river for fish and recreation. The navigation lights along the river had a pile of old Edison batteries, laying at the base of them. aparently at that time the coast guard, was able to get them. But that was 30 yrs ago.

I don't really know what an edison battery is unless it's the large glass which holds about 5 gal of fluid

not sure about the batteries but I have had extensive experience with the glass mat military type batteries. First of all they are dry and weigh slightly less than lead acid, and they can be fully discharged and then recharged without damage.They can be purchased in large size. I used a set of 30's for about 8 years and were perfectly fine when I sold the boat. Henry