Interesting concept-but will it work???

[CAJUNLAWYER]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/oth...S&cvid=d40428b23ee74677a7ccb028b756279b&ei=92

This looks good on paper-I'd go one step further and never plug in the truck but instead rely on the gas engine to continually repower the batteries or drive the electric engine. Seems like a new take on the diesel-electric locomotives.
What does the group think?

 

[WardenRoss]

Betcha it's big dollar expensive.

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[djohns6]

Sounds great , in theory . We'll see how it works out in practice .

 

[arjay]

I like it. $100k+?

 

[LVSteve]

This has been done before. Fisker did this with their first cars. As stated, it is similar to the operation of a diesel-electric locomotive. The key is that it keeps the gasoline motor at its optimum RPM for efficiency. You also have that instant electric grunt for acceleration.

 

[llowry61]

I would need to see more data about cost, the amount of fuel used by the gas engine and size of it, life span of engine, batteries and electric drive train.

The technology has been successful in trains for years, so might be viable if affordable, reliable and reasonably durable ie: 150k miles or so.

 

[SweetMK]

Ideally,, ANY engine ( or turbine for that matter) has ONE exact engine speed that is the stochiometric maximum,,

in other words, to burn fuel at the maximum efficiency, there is only one engine speed.

So, it the RAM runs its engine at that RPM ,, (something like what? 3,000 RPM?) you would get maximum mileage.

(They could design the engine to run max efficient at any speed)

BUT,, will you be happy, sitting at a traffic light, with the engine screaming as it charges the battery??

No more "gas" pedal,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Bekeart]

Diesel Electric Earth Movers

Those Big Bad *** Earth movers you see at some highways construction sites are diesel electric.

Wheels powered by individual electric motor.

Think of:
Biggest Meanest Lamp Dimmer ...
SCR controls for the electric motors.

Bekeart

 

[WardenRoss]

BUT,, will you be happy, sitting at a traffic light, with the engine screaming as it charges the battery??

No more "gas" pedal,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Today's engines are so quiet, doubt it would be too loud.

My V8 Ford has a two-speed electric cooling fan. It actually roars when on high speed. You'd have to hear it. It's louder than the motor.


,

 

[swsig]

That sounds pretty much like the system that GM used in the now-discontinued Chevrolet Volt. The Volt was driven by electric motor only. The onboard ICE only kicked in when the batteries were discharged, and from that point it powered a generator that supplied electricity to the motor.

Chevrolet Volt - Wikipedia

 

[Tom S.]

Already been done:

 

[john17427]

Slightly off topic, but pertinent to this technology and hybrid's in general. I'll admit I'm not super knowledgeable about batteries, more likely not knowledgeable at all. I was just wondering how these cars charge and discharge a battery at the same time. My understanding with locomotives is that they're just big generators powering electric motors with no batteries involved in locomotion, though I could be wrong about this as well. How do you charge and discharge batteries at the same time. Obviously it is happening in a hybrid.

 

[Jon42]

I work on new vehicles. I would stay as far away from this as possible and hopefully I won't see one before I retire in a few years.

 

[pharmer]

Meh, I never buy 1st year anything. I like that in the gas powered truck they "turboed" the old "Slant Six", the most reliable indestructible engine of the 20th century. Maybe it isn't a slant 6, it should be. joe

 

[Protocall_Design]

How is this different from other hybrid vehicles?

 

[djohns6]

How is this different from other hybrid vehicles?

As I understand it , the " engine" is not connected to the drivetrain .

 

[DWalt]

How is this different from other hybrid vehicles?

I believe, at least in principle, not very much. ICE turns a generator which produces electricity which can charge the battery and/or power the electric motors.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Nah.....I'll keep my 5.3 CI Chevy.........That DOESN'T shut down when I stop......And cranks with a real key.

 

[SweetMK]

Those Big Bad *** Earth movers you see at some highways construction sites are diesel electric.

Wheels powered by individual electric motor.

Think of:
Biggest Meanest Lamp Dimmer ...
SCR controls for the electric motors.

Bekeart

I used to design those controls at a previous job,,
We were designing one for a new shovel,, I got to ride the shovel for 4 days,,
What misery!!

Rather than a diesel engine,, this machine pulled a 6000 volt extension cord,,

When the shovel lifted a full bucket, the lights at a shop 1/4 mile away would dim,,

I wonder what that electric bill was??

I am 6'7" ,, for scale,,

 

[A10]

I used to design those controls at a previous job,,
We were designing one for a new shovel,, I got to ride the shovel for 4 days,,
What misery!!

Rather than a diesel engine,, this machine pulled a 6000 volt extension cord,,

When the shovel lifted a full bucket, the lights at a shop 1/4 mile away would dim,,

I wonder what that electric bill was??

I am 6'7" ,, for scale,,

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View attachment 696771

Big toy....what happens when you make a sharp turn and run over the cord? Could be exhilarating....