Search found 77 matches
- Thu, 20 May 2010, 15:42
- Forum: General EV Discussion
- Topic: 4WD and regen
- Replies: 32
- Views: 4584
4WD and regen
It is an interesting design problem (in the control system) of how to reap maximum return from regen braking with a 2WD vehicle and have it safe to drive for anyone. Yes I was thinking about that too. Using regen on a 2WD will effectively change the brake bias, where as on a 4WD this effect is redu...
- Thu, 20 May 2010, 14:54
- Forum: General EV Discussion
- Topic: 4WD and regen
- Replies: 32
- Views: 4584
4WD and regen
I've been wondering how 4WD goes with regen -vs- 2WD with regen. I keep hearing that the most efficient configuration is front wheel drive, and 4WD is the worst because of losses through multiple differentials, drive shafts etc. But I'm wondering - With a 4WD and regen you should get almost double t...
- Tue, 13 Apr 2010, 13:03
- Forum: EV Motoring
- Topic: ABC Lateline
- Replies: 30
- Views: 5483
ABC Lateline
I'm not so much interested in winning an argument with Clive as convincing the interviewer that our position is untouchable and the whole focus will change to something more sensible like: 1. Why don't people who convert their cars get a tax break or reduced registration fees. 2. How employers can b...
- Tue, 13 Apr 2010, 05:43
- Forum: EV Motoring
- Topic: ABC Lateline
- Replies: 30
- Views: 5483
ABC Lateline
Guys, is it really important? Yes I think it is really important. The title of the lateline piece was "Jury still out on electric car revolution" It may be obvious to us that EVs are the way to go, but there are people out there who aren't convinced. We need a really powerful easy to understa...
- Tue, 13 Apr 2010, 00:17
- Forum: EV Motoring
- Topic: ABC Lateline
- Replies: 30
- Views: 5483
ABC Lateline
if a refinery really used that much energy, they would generate on site, and skip the electricity step. having said that, i have had a hard time gettting real data on energy used to refine, as alot of it comes "in process" rather than from external gas or electricity. more digging.... Apparently a ...
- Mon, 12 Apr 2010, 21:40
- Forum: EV Motoring
- Topic: Electric cars major environmental threat!
- Replies: 5
- Views: 1322
- Mon, 12 Apr 2010, 20:42
- Forum: EV Motoring
- Topic: ABC Lateline
- Replies: 30
- Views: 5483
ABC Lateline
LOL. Yes petrol is like a disposable battery, used to transport electric power from the grid to your wheels. Even higher energy density than Lithium! http://forums.aeva.asn.au/smileys/smiley1.gif I think the thing in the photo was at a Leaf roadshow in the US. Similar to the one they had at Bondi Ju...
- Mon, 12 Apr 2010, 05:00
- Forum: EV Motoring
- Topic: ABC Lateline
- Replies: 30
- Views: 5483
ABC Lateline
I found a marketing statement from Nissan for their Leaf in the US, shown here: http://forums.aeva.asn.au/uploads/240/7.5kw_to_refine.jpg This sort of shoots Clive's argument to pieces I think. Leave the oil in the ground and use the electricity which would have been used to refine it, to drive an e...
- Mon, 11 Aug 2008, 21:22
- Forum: General EV Discussion
- Topic: Back from uk
- Replies: 64
- Views: 7739
Back from uk
True enough. Badge-engineering in particular has always bothered me. That and cross ownership. I agree about the government stepping in, but I can't see it happening; not when they are giving massive incentives to Toyota to setup for that hybrid in Victoria. I was hopeful that the Rudd governm...
- Mon, 11 Aug 2008, 16:28
- Forum: General EV Discussion
- Topic: Back from uk
- Replies: 64
- Views: 7739
Back from uk
You often here quotes from Chomsky which "prove" a conspiracy theory. Problem is, the people making these quotes haven't actually read Chomsky. Get your head around it people: THERE IS NO CONSPIRACY. Just as there is no collusion by fuel retailers and oil companies to jack up the prices. There is ...
- Fri, 01 Aug 2008, 20:19
- Forum: General EV Discussion
- Topic: Mixing Motors?
- Replies: 31
- Views: 4924
Mixing Motors?
Looks like the weight is under control. Have you thought about what to do with the power steering and ABS?
Matt, the Coefficient of drag: 0.32.
Matt, the Coefficient of drag: 0.32.
- Fri, 01 Aug 2008, 18:25
- Forum: General EV Discussion
- Topic: Mixing Motors?
- Replies: 31
- Views: 4924
Mixing Motors?
he said a 300zx 96 300zx has Weights: gross vehicle weight rating (kg) 1,821, curb weight (kg) 1,513 and 95 300zx has Weights: gross vehicle weight rating (kg) 1,821, curb weight (kg) 1,520 according to http://www.automotive.com/ an American site - but probable still in the ball park. That doesn't g...
- Fri, 01 Aug 2008, 13:00
- Forum: General EV Discussion
- Topic: Mixing Motors?
- Replies: 31
- Views: 4924
Mixing Motors?
Can you imagine trying to use Back EMF with shafts not mechanically connected? HA!

- Fri, 01 Aug 2008, 03:03
- Forum: General EV Discussion
- Topic: Mixing Motors?
- Replies: 31
- Views: 4924
Mixing Motors?
Are you asking if you can drive 2 AC motors from the same controller? You would probably be ok with two identical induction motors driving the same shaft. But not shore if they drive different shafts - eg one drives the front wheels and the other drives the rear wheels (which motor provides the feed...
- Thu, 31 Jul 2008, 16:19
- Forum: General EV Discussion
- Topic: Back from uk
- Replies: 64
- Views: 7739
Back from uk
Here's an example of what Toyota could have done: Develop an AC Motor based EV with Regen and with a range of battery options (2 or more) - even give customers the option to change which type of battery they use if things don't work out for them. Also develop a motor-generator which is one person po...
- Thu, 31 Jul 2008, 16:01
- Forum: General EV Discussion
- Topic: Back from uk
- Replies: 64
- Views: 7739
Back from uk
Woody, Point taken. You explain it so clearly. I still don't like it though. TasyMoke, It's not so much predicting doom and gloom as unhappiness that we seem to be going down the wrong path for no good reason. The worlds not going to come to an end just because car makers insist on taking us dow...
- Thu, 31 Jul 2008, 14:47
- Forum: General EV Discussion
- Topic: Back from uk
- Replies: 64
- Views: 7739
Back from uk
The reason I'm not happy is the auto industry doesn't seem to be getting the message. Instead of simplifying and improving efficiency by getting rid of the ICE and all he cr@p this implies they are just making things more complicated and expensive and hanging onto their ICE like it's there only ch...
- Wed, 23 Jul 2008, 16:00
- Forum: Technical and conversion discussion
- Topic: Do modern car computers prevent conversion?
- Replies: 13
- Views: 2880
Do modern car computers prevent conversion?
I found this on the site for an open source Corolla based in Finland. This was in the FAQ: 1.11. How will the driving control systems (ABS, ESP) used in modern vehicles operate when the original fossil-fuel engine is repelaced by an electric motor? Even with their fine titles and complicated calcu...
- Wed, 11 Jun 2008, 18:58
- Forum: Technical and conversion discussion
- Topic: EV economics
- Replies: 36
- Views: 8886
EV economics
there is a link to the b100a40 here
http://www.a-m-c.com/content/prods/legacy.html
It as actually a DC controller (trapezoidal output) but should work ok with an ACIM - with slightly reduced efficiency.
http://www.a-m-c.com/content/prods/legacy.html
It as actually a DC controller (trapezoidal output) but should work ok with an ACIM - with slightly reduced efficiency.
- Wed, 11 Jun 2008, 18:31
- Forum: Technical and conversion discussion
- Topic: EV economics
- Replies: 36
- Views: 8886
EV economics
I run an AC induction motor with an add on encoder feedback. www.evalbum.com/1149 if you dont know it. I can operate with or without the encoder, both work. It is largely up to the brains in the VSD. Don't confuse the encoder with the commutaion pickup of a brushless DC motor. The encoder helps wit...
- Tue, 10 Jun 2008, 17:24
- Forum: Technical and conversion discussion
- Topic: EV economics
- Replies: 36
- Views: 8886
EV economics
Ben, thank you for your reply. As you say there is a lot of second hand AC gear out there. In my post I was showing new prices. I'm sure you could do much better with second hand. Which drive were you looking for. I personally prefer an Induction motor as they are the cheapest of the cheap. Especi...
- Sun, 08 Jun 2008, 07:33
- Forum: General EV Discussion
- Topic: Back from uk
- Replies: 64
- Views: 7739
Back from uk
Zilla controller) but constructed in quantity, the price could be reduced significantly. Don't forget that all polyphase variable speed drives (VSD's) for industrial AC induction motors could easily be adapted to run a car. For the record, the alternator and traction motor in the Toyota Prius are b...
- Thu, 05 Jun 2008, 04:14
- Forum: General EV Discussion
- Topic: Back from uk
- Replies: 64
- Views: 7739
Back from uk
The problem with magnets is - when you overdrive a motor which uses them you have the risk of de-magnetising them.
This is not a problem with induction motors and shunt DC motor. You can go way over rated again and again and they just suck it up.
This is not a problem with induction motors and shunt DC motor. You can go way over rated again and again and they just suck it up.
- Wed, 04 Jun 2008, 21:22
- Forum: Technical and conversion discussion
- Topic: EV economics
- Replies: 36
- Views: 8886
EV economics
I'm pretty new to all this so maybe I'm full of hot air and don't know what I'm talking about, but I keep seeing a lot about how AC is so much more expensive than DC "$10K vs $30K". I just can't see this. Ive done a couple of weeks of research and to me this just looks wrong. For comparison lets say...
- Wed, 04 Jun 2008, 18:13
- Forum: Technical and conversion discussion
- Topic: Do modern car computers prevent conversion?
- Replies: 13
- Views: 2880
Do modern car computers prevent conversion?
I was worried about exactly the same thing, and basically concluded that there are only two options: 1. Steer clear of new cars. 2. Learn how to deal with car computers. This isn't as bad as it sounds. In fact there was an article in last months Australian Personal Computer (APC) about it, which mak...