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6 Posts
Hi guys
I am willing to do my research and am not looking to be lazy, but a few opinions from experienced folk would help me greatly.
I am an active member of a group of classic motorhome (RV) enthusiasts in the UK. These vans are Mercedes based 1985 to 1995, rear wheel drive. Classic Mercedes 5 cylinder diesels producing 95hp. The vans weigh between 3.5 and 4.5 tons fully loaded. I estimate that the engine and gearbox weighs about a ton - maybe a bit less, and without the engine and gearbox, there would be quite a decent size void up front.
There has been some talk for a while now about the feasibility of conversion to EV. The writing is on the wall over here for old polluting diesels - we are already banned from London and most EU cities.
In terms of range around 50 miles would be OK, obviously the more the merrier. Campsites over here generally have 6, 10 or 12 amp 240v supplies, plus there are the normal recharge points starting to appear for production EVs - Nissan leaf etc ...
There would also be space for some sort of gasoline generator, and solar panels on the roof, but I doubt you could get more than about 500w of solar, assuming the sun shines. However there are plenty of retired folk who would just stay in one place until they had a charge to move on! The requirements for an RV would be quite a bit less than those for a commercial delivery vehicle with a defined duty cycle. With diesel costing $6 a gallon over here, present costs are around 40c a mile.
So far my basic thinking has led me to think that the engine and gearbox could be removed and replaced by a DC traction motor directly connected to the propshaft. I have read that these motors will also generate power through regenerative braking. But then there is the matter of the vehicle's other systems - in particular the servo systems for the brakes and steering, which are driven by the fanbelt. Could these be retained and driven by a modified system using power take off, or even by a motor with a through drive shaft to the front as well as to the rear propshaft?
The rest of these vehicles are pretty straightforward - there are no electronic sensors or ecus. Controls are just the basics - 3 pedals, a wheel and the stick.
I have a reasonable grasp of the technology involved, but where I am completely clueless is the area of cost. I know prices are coming down as the technology become more mainstream, but I still have no idea on the cost per kw, the motors, and the ancillary systems required to do such a conversion.
I believe I have the contacts and access to engineering facilities to do most of the work as a DIY project. My family business gives me access to engineering facilities, including laser cutting and metal fabrication.
Like I said - I am not looking for a free blueprint - but a few ideas on the costs of the major components would be a great help to inform my thinking.
Thanks guys
Ron
I am willing to do my research and am not looking to be lazy, but a few opinions from experienced folk would help me greatly.
I am an active member of a group of classic motorhome (RV) enthusiasts in the UK. These vans are Mercedes based 1985 to 1995, rear wheel drive. Classic Mercedes 5 cylinder diesels producing 95hp. The vans weigh between 3.5 and 4.5 tons fully loaded. I estimate that the engine and gearbox weighs about a ton - maybe a bit less, and without the engine and gearbox, there would be quite a decent size void up front.
There has been some talk for a while now about the feasibility of conversion to EV. The writing is on the wall over here for old polluting diesels - we are already banned from London and most EU cities.
In terms of range around 50 miles would be OK, obviously the more the merrier. Campsites over here generally have 6, 10 or 12 amp 240v supplies, plus there are the normal recharge points starting to appear for production EVs - Nissan leaf etc ...
There would also be space for some sort of gasoline generator, and solar panels on the roof, but I doubt you could get more than about 500w of solar, assuming the sun shines. However there are plenty of retired folk who would just stay in one place until they had a charge to move on! The requirements for an RV would be quite a bit less than those for a commercial delivery vehicle with a defined duty cycle. With diesel costing $6 a gallon over here, present costs are around 40c a mile.
So far my basic thinking has led me to think that the engine and gearbox could be removed and replaced by a DC traction motor directly connected to the propshaft. I have read that these motors will also generate power through regenerative braking. But then there is the matter of the vehicle's other systems - in particular the servo systems for the brakes and steering, which are driven by the fanbelt. Could these be retained and driven by a modified system using power take off, or even by a motor with a through drive shaft to the front as well as to the rear propshaft?
The rest of these vehicles are pretty straightforward - there are no electronic sensors or ecus. Controls are just the basics - 3 pedals, a wheel and the stick.
I have a reasonable grasp of the technology involved, but where I am completely clueless is the area of cost. I know prices are coming down as the technology become more mainstream, but I still have no idea on the cost per kw, the motors, and the ancillary systems required to do such a conversion.
I believe I have the contacts and access to engineering facilities to do most of the work as a DIY project. My family business gives me access to engineering facilities, including laser cutting and metal fabrication.
Like I said - I am not looking for a free blueprint - but a few ideas on the costs of the major components would be a great help to inform my thinking.
Thanks guys
Ron