HP and Engine Speed for Genset?

[RAN]

Does anyone know the HP of the genset engine, and approximately at what RPM it will run?

Just curious.....

[AZEqualizer]

Heck we don't even know what kind of engine it is.:confused:

[RAN]

OK.... I thought at least that we knew it would be a 4 cycle flex-fuel (ethanol) ICE. Seems I remember that people that were hoping it'd be a diesel were shot down. Maybe I'm reading too much info on too many different vehicles http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x139/MahBoff/book.gif.

[Hardtime11]

It could be that the engine/ICE (flex Fuel) will only run at a certain point of battery discharge and it not directly feed the motors.

[RAN]

It could be that the engine/ICE (flex Fuel) will only run at a certain point of battery discharge and it not directly feed the motors.

That was my understanding. The engine would run at a constant RPM, and just charge the battery through the generator. I was just wondering what HP the engine would have, and at what speed it would run.

[Timon]

I seem to remember it's a 17 to 20 KW genset so that would be about 22 hp but by the time you figure in losses I would guess the engine would be around 25 to 30 HP.

[rogwild]

On the FTR forum most of the 'discussion' was about "IF's" and desires from forum members , Ian and V.V. have released very few 'details' (my hunch is that even they have not made the decision yet). My concern has always been, it is very difficult to build a vehicle 'on time', if you haven't even decided on the components, or ordered them yet.

[Hardtime11]

Yes, I have been thinking the same thing "rogwild" but along the lines of how much time a "What if?" takes to get going and then agree upon and then the actual ordering of parts.

[AZEqualizer]

Here is something posted on the VV site under the "Concept" page.


The system consists of a small internal combustion engine connected to a 15 – 20 kW generator, a 50 kW drive motor, a four gallon fuel tank, and an advanced high capacity battery pack. The system will be able to take energy normally lost as heat due to braking and return it to the battery, increasing overall system efficiency.

[RAN]

On the FTR forum most of the 'discussion' was about "IF's" and desires from forum members , Ian and V.V. have released very few 'details' (my hunch is that even they have not made the decision yet). My concern has always been, it is very difficult to build a vehicle 'on time', if you haven't even decided on the components, or ordered them yet.

When I read through those What If's I was struck by how ridiculous many of them were, and how much more difficult it would be to sort through them all. Yeah. For $20,000 I want frigging radar displays! http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x139/MahBoff/huh.gif

I may have to move back my Sept 2009 delivery prediction..... April 2010 is looking like the smart bet. I also bet that the avg out-the-door price of the Q100 is $26,000-$28,000. It may not be what most of you want to hear... but I will have an easier time getting there knowing it now.

Rick

[rogwild]

Well the 'Sand Rail Mule' is out with an ICE/generator on board!
"WarpedOne" (from the FTR forum) thinks its the RotaMax 650CC single rotor rotary engine.
Here's some pictures, can get more info from their website:
http://www.rotamax.net/

[WarpedOne]

This RotaMax engine seems a nice fit. It weighs only 90 pounds, occupies little space and in "industrial" mode - running between 3600 and 4500 rpm - produces between 35 and 45 HP. If generator is 80% efficient that gives 28 - 36 "electric" HP (20 - 25kW) that would fill the batteries.

The engine is capable of outputting more than three times more power at higher revs so this low power level should mean very low stress. That would mean it should last very very long time, consume modest amounts of fuel and emit very low levels of noise and almost no vibration (it looks like the engine is directly bolted to the mule chassis without any dampers).

Its price is quite modest - $3,750 in quantities above 60pieces/year. If order is 50 times bigger than that some additional discount should be negotiable. I am not sure Rotamax is capable producing 4000 pieces a year though ...

[AZEqualizer]

I haven't kept up on the rotary engines ... have they solved the old consumption and seal problems they used to have?

[WarpedOne]

Depends on who you ask.

Wankel engines are not spread enough for many people to know them intimately, but they are used enough for people to hear about and repeat what they hear and remember - usually rumors about problems. Mazda feels comfortable enough to offer 4 year, 50-000 mile warranty in a sportscar RX-8.(http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/reviews/mazda-rx8).
Here http://www.automotive.com/2007/12/mazda/rx-8/warranty/index.html are some addition warranty numbers (drive train: 60.000 miles)

Consumption is a bit higher than with piston engine when it is not running at it's optimal midpower levels - city milage is relatively poor - about 30% under similarly powerfull piston engines. Amongst reasons for higher consumption is also the need to meet emission standards. The engine is being fed more fuel for it to burn more completely than would be necessary for it to only run.

Seals are not really a problem any more. They were a problem only when Mazda used some softer materials to overcome some other problems. That was 30 years ago.

The biggest problem is, wankel does not get nearly as much development than piston engine. That RotaMax is based on OCM design from 30 years ago. Maybe this "hybrid hysteria" will offer more opportunities for its use, get more funding and improve. It deserves that.