Joined
·
7 Posts
Hello All!
thanks for welcoming me to the community. I've read several similar potential builds to this topic, but nothing had exactly the same parameters as what I'm sizing up.
Current Vehicle:
2005 Chevy Silverado Diesel 4x4. Good condition.
What I use it for:
Towing a camper. Do some long distance trips. 4x4'ing is nice for if traction is a real concern, but not looking to 4x4 for fun, stealth mode, etc.
Initial Idea:
Disconnect front drive shaft from transfer case and drive it from an electric motor instead. Yes, there are other threads I've found similar, but they revolve around being a 4x4 play truck where all 4 are driven by a single motor. 4x4 performance is not a concern. I only use 4x4 for when roads are treacherous. And even that is very, very limited as I work a tech job.
Use Case: I'd like to be able to use the setup for these purposes:
1) Hybrid drive: Have the main motor drive and drive the electric / charge batteries. Be able to manage the battery level in case a known uphill pull is required (both engines at higher output)
2) IC Engine only mode. For when charging batteries to full (see case 4 below) is desired .
3) Electric only mode. Likely wouldn't work for towing, but would want the ability in case of main engine failure or first leg of trip after charging from wall power.
4) Running camper electronics from battery store via Inverter. Boondocking or staying overnight at rest stops where I'd want an ample source or 110 VAC power. Assume batteries would be mostly depleted after use, and would have to resume in diesel-only mode for next trip.
Build Ideas and Concerns
1) Initial idea is to use front driveshaft as mentioned above. This model truck has an independent front so the front differential is in a fixed position. The front differential also engaged via an electric servo so a break between the front wheels and electric motor/transmission would happen there. Assume a stop needed for re-engagement.
2) Concern: Syncing the 2 systems to drive at same rate/throttle. Naturally a concern.
3) Concern: Would there be a transmission necessary for the electric drive system. driveshaft spins from 0 to an estimated 4000 rpm.
4) Opportunity: there is room underneath next to the transfer case. Of course the bed area is available for things such as the battery bank.
5) Concern: Costs. I know this won't be free. I'm assuming thousands and know this won't be free. But, I won't go to tens of thousands.
Interested to hear your thoughts. Maybe send me to a string that I haven't hit on yet. Again, I found other strings on 4x4's. But yet to see one with exactly this use case and parameters. Basically, the diesel drive system is in good shape. So this project isn't absolutely necessary to re-power the unit. I really want to do it because I'm a nerd at heart.
Thank you.
thanks for welcoming me to the community. I've read several similar potential builds to this topic, but nothing had exactly the same parameters as what I'm sizing up.
Current Vehicle:
2005 Chevy Silverado Diesel 4x4. Good condition.
What I use it for:
Towing a camper. Do some long distance trips. 4x4'ing is nice for if traction is a real concern, but not looking to 4x4 for fun, stealth mode, etc.
Initial Idea:
Disconnect front drive shaft from transfer case and drive it from an electric motor instead. Yes, there are other threads I've found similar, but they revolve around being a 4x4 play truck where all 4 are driven by a single motor. 4x4 performance is not a concern. I only use 4x4 for when roads are treacherous. And even that is very, very limited as I work a tech job.
Use Case: I'd like to be able to use the setup for these purposes:
1) Hybrid drive: Have the main motor drive and drive the electric / charge batteries. Be able to manage the battery level in case a known uphill pull is required (both engines at higher output)
2) IC Engine only mode. For when charging batteries to full (see case 4 below) is desired .
3) Electric only mode. Likely wouldn't work for towing, but would want the ability in case of main engine failure or first leg of trip after charging from wall power.
4) Running camper electronics from battery store via Inverter. Boondocking or staying overnight at rest stops where I'd want an ample source or 110 VAC power. Assume batteries would be mostly depleted after use, and would have to resume in diesel-only mode for next trip.
Build Ideas and Concerns
1) Initial idea is to use front driveshaft as mentioned above. This model truck has an independent front so the front differential is in a fixed position. The front differential also engaged via an electric servo so a break between the front wheels and electric motor/transmission would happen there. Assume a stop needed for re-engagement.
2) Concern: Syncing the 2 systems to drive at same rate/throttle. Naturally a concern.
3) Concern: Would there be a transmission necessary for the electric drive system. driveshaft spins from 0 to an estimated 4000 rpm.
4) Opportunity: there is room underneath next to the transfer case. Of course the bed area is available for things such as the battery bank.
5) Concern: Costs. I know this won't be free. I'm assuming thousands and know this won't be free. But, I won't go to tens of thousands.
Interested to hear your thoughts. Maybe send me to a string that I haven't hit on yet. Again, I found other strings on 4x4's. But yet to see one with exactly this use case and parameters. Basically, the diesel drive system is in good shape. So this project isn't absolutely necessary to re-power the unit. I really want to do it because I'm a nerd at heart.
Thank you.