Converting a Unimog to an EV
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What do you want to do, and how fast do you want to do it?
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I just want to match the existing capability
That's very vague. Are you using it as a truck or a tractor? How far/long does it need to go? Unimogs are used for all kinds of tasks from log trucks, snow plows, trailer pulling or mobile powerstations by way of PTOs and hydraulic outputs.
There are plenty of electric motors that can get the job done for you. But that is not where the power really comes from. Consider the motor an extension of a transmission. The actual power is produced by the battery pack.
Let us know what you want/need to do. The first thing to figure out is the battery pack, then the motor(s).
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There are plenty of electric motors that can get the job done for you. But that is not where the power really comes from. Consider the motor an extension of a transmission. The actual power is produced by the battery pack.
Let us know what you want/need to do. The first thing to figure out is the battery pack, then the motor(s).
Sent from my STV100-1 using Tapatalk
I am thinking of building an RV type arrangement using a unimog flatbed truck, removing the motor, fuel system and tanks and using the existing drive train but running it all with electric motor (s). I thinking a li ion battery system augmented by solar pannels across most of the roof to top up the battery bank.
Gary
realistically about nine ton overall weight. The truck is about eight ton with a diesel configuration. The range about 1500Ks with a mounted diesel generator as a back up.
I don't recommend this conversion for a first timer. 1,500km on battery alone is currently impossible. Traveling at highway speeds with this weight will take over 100hp (75KW) on flat ground.
General rule of thumb for cars when planning batteries for range is 100Wh per 1000lbs per mile. Nine tons is 18,000lbs, so at least 1,800Wh per mile. A Km is 0.62 miles, so 1116Wh/Km. Your range of 1500km would require a minimum of 1674KWh of energy. A used Nissan Leaf battery pack is approximately 20KWh and sells for about $5,000 US. You would need 84 of those battery packs for a cost of $418,500 US.
If you go minimum on your battery pack, and depend on the generator you will add weight and complexity. A standalone Generac 80KW genset weighs 2,425lbs (1,100kg) without the fuel tank or enclosure. The primary traction motor to sustain highway speeds would exceed 200Kg and a single Leaf battery pack would weigh similar to the motor.
You can't do much to change the weight of this vehicle, but if you adjust your range goal down a lot, we might be able to help you.
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General rule of thumb for cars when planning batteries for range is 100Wh per 1000lbs per mile. Nine tons is 18,000lbs, so at least 1,800Wh per mile. A Km is 0.62 miles, so 1116Wh/Km. Your range of 1500km would require a minimum of 1674KWh of energy. A used Nissan Leaf battery pack is approximately 20KWh and sells for about $5,000 US. You would need 84 of those battery packs for a cost of $418,500 US.
If you go minimum on your battery pack, and depend on the generator you will add weight and complexity. A standalone Generac 80KW genset weighs 2,425lbs (1,100kg) without the fuel tank or enclosure. The primary traction motor to sustain highway speeds would exceed 200Kg and a single Leaf battery pack would weigh similar to the motor.
You can't do much to change the weight of this vehicle, but if you adjust your range goal down a lot, we might be able to help you.
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I think I will look for a light truck to reduce the amount of power required.
Hello guys, how are you all? Well, this thread has a couple of years old and i would like to bring this question back to life. I have in mind a project to convert an unimog to 100% electric, no so powerfull, it is used to transport people in a dirt road, 15 mph topsped, no hills.
So, i would like to read your expert opinions and suggestions fot the motor and controller for a project like this.
Thanks.
So, i would like to read your expert opinions and suggestions fot the motor and controller for a project like this.
Thanks.
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I'm not looking for such a large Unimog settup. I have a 404 Unimog that weighs 2900kg. I want it to have a range of 50-75 miles for local cruising and the occasional parade that has a 5 mile route length. The bed of a Unimog is 7' wide x 9' long and I intend on making a 7'x9' solar array on the roof which should produce 900w. I will also have a small generator box where the factory fuel tanks are located for making power on cloudy days or at night. The straight 6 engine is a Mercedes M180 which has a peak output of 110hp. What motor, battery type and qty, controller etc would you guys recommend. My shop has CNC plasma tables, CNC routers and CNC press brakes to make any kind of motor to tranny adapters, battery trays or brackets needed. Thanks for any help you guys can provide.
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Need to know what speed you plan to run, what grade you plan to run at that speed, and how much payload you plan to carry/tow.
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Actually this Unimog (S404) tops out at 55-60 in some cases. You are thinking of the heavier u900/406 models that at max RPM of 2800 - max out around 45 mph
all that said there is a lot of rolling resistance in the running gear (reduction hubs, portal axles , differentials, gearbox etc. eliminate the poorly designed 404 gearbox will go a long ways to solving many issues (the gearbox is a 404’s Achilles heel)
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