[Gasification] ...a question about hybrids

[Harmon Seaver]

On 6/11/06, Greg Manning <a31ford at inetlink.ca> wrote:
>
>  Greetings Mike, Harmon, and list.
>
>  Mike I see your point, however, to tote all those batteries around will
> pull your average down, BUT... that 900 watt generator would definitely act
> like a "trickle charger" for sure... you now have my thoughts moving in this
> direction, because where we live is mostly flatland, and this method of
> gasifier use, would maximize the conditions for optimal configuration within
> the gasifier...
>
>  Since I already have a 57 Chevy 1-ton truck that is going "under the knife"
> for conversion to gasifier, I am now seriously considering a small Wisconsin
> 2 cyl. (TJD) coupled to a 2-5Kw generator, with a small bank of batteries
> and a traction motor in leau of the original gasoline 6 cyl.....
>
> I do agree that the mean power factor is only needed on acceleration, and
> once the vehicle is up to speed is only wind and rolling resistance, the
> engine's maximum capacity is only there when you need to pull a load, or
> up-hill.


    I've tried to figure out more or less the same question before.
I've got a '91 Toyota 4x4 pickup that I'd dearly love to make a hybrid
out of, replacing the 2400cc gas engine with a smaller diesel running
a generator and an electric motor on each of the two differentials so
I'd still have 4wd. And I want at least as much power as it has now --
that is enough to cruise all day at 75mph with a good load and
maintain at least 45mph up the big hills. I think that means about a
15-20hp motor on each differential. And so far the only thing I've
seen of reasonable price and weight are 3-phase 220v motors -- which
creates a problem with finding a proper motor controller and inverters
to change the 240VDC into 3-phase AC.
     There is a company which is converting Hummves for the military
into hybrids. I don't know what size engine the Hummves have
originally, but they are using a 1.9L TDI diesel for the hybrid
engine.
      I've also thought of building a gasifier on a trailer to pull
behind my schoolbus/motorhome, although I don't know if I'd go so far
as to try to make it a hybrid. That would be neat to do, but
expensive. I can get the front and rear axles from military surplus
6x6's to put under it, which would be way cool. And all those
batteries would solve the power problem, plenty of room for them under
the bus. But once again -- where do you get motors powerful enough?
The bus has a 466TD in it now with a 5spd manual tranny and 2spd
rearend, runs great and I can cruise at 65mph with it, but it sure
sucks down the diesel. I get about 8mpg, so a gasifier is a must if I
want to tour with that rig. I figure I'd build the trailer as a combo
gasifier/boat trailer. And running the diesel on veggie oil at the
same time as on woodgas, the diesel will automagically take the fuel
it needs to give full power even tho the woodgas is only capable of
fueling it to 60% power.
      I'd also like to put a digester onboard for the toilet, to fuel
the gas stove and fridge. BTW, has anyone ever tried using a gas
fridge (which uses gas-absorbtion technology to turn heat into cold)
to cool the output of a gasifier? Although I guess if I was pulling
the gasifier behind the bus, that long tube carrying the woodgas to
the front would be cooling it more than enough.

-- 
Harmon Seaver