RotaMax Engine?

[Mark Tomlinson]

We've pretty well established over in the FlyTheRoad forum that the mule is using a RotaMax (http://www.rotamax.net/) rotary engine.
201200202
Well, AZ uploaded the propulsion pod engineering drawings in another thread and I thought, "I'll be darned". Apparently that's what they intend to use in the finished V1 hybrid as well. Take a look.
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It makes sense. Elsewhere, Ian commented that the electric motor is exactly the one they intend to put in the V1, so why not the same engine? Also, why build a drive train mule with something other than the proposed drive train? And a rotary engine gives a great power to weight ratio, which we're going to want. So they must be planning on using the RotaMax in the finished product.

Not knowing much about these things, what's the impact of this decision? I'm interested in the hybrid version and live in Illinois. Would the RotaMax make support harder to find until there are authorized V1 service centers in my neighborhood? Are there any different fuel choices? What are your thoughts on the engine?

[RAN]

It should be a good choice. I haven't had any experience with the RotaMax per se, but I had an '83 RX-7 for several years, and it was a tough little engine. I actually drove that thing for a couple years with a cracked block before it finally died (and it was nice enough to get me home too that day)! Rotaries are pretty simple as ICE's go... less moving parts to break. And since this one will be running at a steady RPM, it should last just this side of forever. I don't know what fuel options might exist for this engine, but hopefully it will at least run on regular unleaded. Rotaries have a bad rap about mileage and using oil, but mine only used a quart every 1000 miles or so, and if you didn't make a habit of opening the secondaries on the 4bbl carb it would deliver high 20's on the road on regular gas. Oh, and it had almost 150,000 miles on it when it died.

[WarpedOne]

Well, it may be simple design but it still is an ICE and needs maintenance - oil, spare parts etc. I read it uses the same seals as Mazda has put into RX-8's engine so availability of those should not be a problem. Oilchanges aren't necessary as oil is added to the fuel and burnt, you only have to add it from time to time.

I cannot find any reference to any commercial use of the RotaMax engine, only prototypes :|

[waboom]

If you want to actually "hear" the RotaMax engine sound, RotaMax posted a youTube video:

Mys4S1Fxrqs

[RAN]

God that thing sounds like crap lol.

[rogwild]

Yep, hope Vv comes out with a good muffler, cabin sound insulation, and a decent audio sound system, so I don't have to listen to it. That idea of an external PA with a jet engine sound track 'sync'ed' to it is sounding better all the time!

[Miracleman89]

That idea of an external PA with a jet engine sound track 'sync'ed' to it is sounding better all the time!

ROTFLMAO- God I just hope the final version doesn't sound like that! When I was a kid my dad had a lawn mower that had a better sound then that and it sputtered occasionally!

[WarpedOne]

God I just hope the final version doesn't sound like that!

This really shouldn't be a problem if they only spend a little RD on it. A constant speed ICE produces most noise at only a few fixed frequencies. A walk in the park for any real muffler designer.

[johnhead]

Don't forget this is to be mounted in a streamlined, low vehicle and .....
LOUD PIPES SAVES LIVES ;-)
While stealth mode is cool for the VV.. I"m thinking that a LOUD VV May save a life or two?

[TazmanianKoala]

Actually I would like the Venture One as quiet as possible. There is already enough noise around town. A super quiet vehicle like the Venture One in electric mode would be an ideal means of urban transportation.
It would also learn others (pedestrians) to look out when crossing the street.

[kolubpuu]

New poster so don't kill me. Quiet is nice, but silent assumes you can see. Not a large population, but one to consider.

[RAN]

Actually I would like the Venture One as quiet as possible. There is already enough noise around town. A super quiet vehicle like the Venture One in electric mode would be an ideal means of urban transportation.
It would also learn others (pedestrians) to look out when crossing the street.

I agree with you 100% Taz. Now, it should have a horn on it that would make your ears bleed, and your soul cry for mercy.

[RAN]

New poster so don't kill me. Quiet is nice, but silent assumes you can see. Not a large population, but one to consider.

kolubpuu, welcome to the club!
Actually, there's no way to make cars completely silent in EV mode. As it is now, in busy downtown rush hour traffic, it's not possible to hear every car coming as some are more quiet than others. Then you also have noisy trucks and buses to deal with.
Seeing eye dogs are trained to watch out for cars, and I can't imagine any blind person walking any downtown city streets without one, but 2 Stanford students came up with a possible solution: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/06/02/stanford-students-think-panda-is-the-answer-to-silent-evs-hybrid/

Also, it seems I read something about using transmitters that wouldn't make noise, but would make the receiver unit vibrate in the direction of the transmitter, but I can't find the link. Anybody else see that?

[johnhead]

No argument inteded here... but another angle from a "motorcycle" owner. Where I live (rural suburban environment) it's the four legged whitetailed deer that worry me nearly as much as the "cell phone talking" driver. I agree that "silent" is a good thing for the overly noisy city, however I will enable some sort of loud(er) device if necessary to keep the pesky deer and cellphone loving, Booming Bass playing teen from colliding with MY VV.. ;-).. And I will run with my headlighs on at all times.

[Miracleman89]

I saw a Harley shirt that read "Loud pipes save lives!"

[beeson]

If loud pipes save lives, why doesn't Harley point the pipes forward??????

I hate loud noisy machines. That's why I ride a BMW instead of a Harley. I'm hoping for a machine that is whisper quiet.

Oh, and the deer can hear you long before you get into sight, even in a quiet machine. Just try sneaking up on one sometime. Actually a loud engine tends to spook them into running and with deer it's an even chance they will run in front of you. I live in a heavily infested deer area.

[Miracleman89]

Hey I think they are a bit annoying to but I did see a shirt that said it and I thought it was a good place to post that line at, so we can all debate it! I know for me, whenever I am outside having a conversation and a loud bike goes by the conversation has to stop! it is a giant pain in the rear!

[espresso_curve]

Loud is relative. I some situations loud is good. I do not ride a motorcycle (although I would love to) and find I notice a louder bike more. I think that if it is loud, or louder than some like, an after-market product can be developed to maybe appease those who are not happy w/ the noise-level.

just my 2 cents

[Baja_Traveler]

Really nice article on the RotaMax in my July EAA SportPilot magazine - geared toward use in aircraft of course. The article gave a link to a new video we haven't seen. Apparently these engines are going to be the hot ticket for light sport aircraft, so cost should come down through economy of scale as they get used more, and to remain competitive with the competition (Rotax, HKS & AeroVee).

Rotamax & Sun N Fun (http://www.eaa.org/video/eaa.html?videoId=1498028315)

[rogwild]

Shoot, we may have to take our V~1's to an Aircraft A&P to get them 'serviced'.:p:LOL::Beer:

[waboom]

There is also another youTube video of the RotaMax engine - this time in an ATV, complete with muffler. Near the end of the video they finally cut out the music so you can just hear the ATV racing about, but it still sounds like a leaf blower revving up!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2LT2OQd8n0
H2LT2OQd8n0

[PHEVadvocate]

http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?ContentBlockID=797d2abf-14bf-40e5-aa09-8cb20cb0b018

If they can do it in a plane, why not in PERSU?