Eco-Friendly Crawler

[Robb]

This is an interesting project that I thought some of you would like to follow.

I didn't know if "borrowing" any of the pics and putting them here would be a good idea, so just head over there to view.

Electric Crawling Buggy

 

[Doug]

Thats a pretty interesting concept. should be interesting to see how it does and if it has the power to get up and over obstacles.

 

[NOTAJP]

Great idea. The electric motors produce hella torque. I remember this being done a few years ago in a Land Rover. They said it was hard getting used to only hearing rocks crush under the tires.

Contrary to popular belief, batteries are not efficient but the technology is getting better and better all the time. Soon it will be easy to build an electric car and not have 1000s of pounds of batteries to run it.

 

[CodePoet]

That should be awsome! I hope he puts in a generator though else he will zap those batteries pretty quickly. Hell he could get a 3 cylinder out of a garden tractor (my dad's john deer has a 3 cylinder engine) that should provide enough hp to help keep the batteries charged. I dont think that he will ever be able to incorporate an effective regenerative braking system to help keep the batteries charged since he probably wont ever (at least in crawling) get up enough speed to really use the braking in that way. But he should be able to get TONS of torque out of an electric motor, diseal trains have been using electic motors forever. Hope it works out for him...i think it's a great project

Later
CP

 

[zensius]

Codepoet, it's sort of defeating the purpose if he installs a three cylinder generator/motor don't ya think?

 

[CodePoet]

The only reason I mentioned that is to turn a generator so he wouldn't drain his batteries really quick. I know when I'm out wheeling I would like to go for more than an hour or so...and it's deffinitly hard to find a plug in the middle of nowhere. I didn't mean a 3 cylinder to turn the wheels. I was thinking a system sort of like the Prius. That's all

Later
CP

 

[Lefy]

that things sick but how weird would it be wheeling and not hearing your engine jus going. along the trail.

gasonline is awesome I don't think i'll give it up easily.

plus thats gonna need alot of battararies. and last time I checked electrice motors don't enjoy water crossings, and mudd like I do. while my 4 liter doesn't mind it.
even if the electric motor make more torque at the ground then my 4 liter

 

[Alec]

Hell, for regeneration he could install a 5 hp lawnmower engine with an alternator; or whatever the smallest 4 stroke single cylinder motor is.

 

[Stic-o]

I think this is great, but......

They need to go farther! You don't need axles; just have a motor on each wheel. You change everything! I had this stability Idea... and it work big time on this truck! You use the batteries as a Gyro kind of. So they sit under you and go the opposite way of gravity. Then all your weight would go where you need it similar to a person jumping on the bumper to give you traction.

Well it sounds good anyway

 

[Robb]

Re: I think this is great, but......

Originally posted by Stic-o
They need to go farther! You don't need axles; just have a motor on each wheel.

Individual motors is against Comp rules.

 

[XplorerKid]

Wow that is a Kool concept, should be pretty Killer when he gets done.

PEACE

 

[Stic-o]

Individual motors is against Comp rules.

Only cause it would be unstopable!

 

[Lefy]

I was thinking the main advantage would be being able to move the weight around to where you need it. picture this. right before an section or even while in the section the spotter and driver move the batteries to the rear to negociate and nasty drop off

to do this I could see then coming up with quick disconect batery mounts sorta likt the way video cameras disconect their rechargeabe bateries

I could definately see the help bonuses this could help to rock buggies

this guy ended up going over on his hood then continuing to roll back on all four wheels
it's all be cause his rig diden't have his rigs weightr distributed right. then in the september Nuerock event he flipped on his roof and was knocked upconsous with his foot flooring it for like 2 minutes destoring this engine and sending him to the hospital.

all these shot were borrowed from Jds offroad in bedford ny.

here is the link and check them out they know their stuff. and have a offroad explorer enthusiast working for them. ME
Jds Offroad

 

[Robb]

Just a bump...........

Ok, so I borrowed a pic................Rick, if this a no-no, please delete.

Photo, property of TONY KASABASICH of http://www.rockequipment.com/, and www.pirate4x4.com

This thing is bada$$!!!! Specs are on page 5 or 6 of that thread.