{SPAM?} Home made Hybrid

[fljab@xxxxxxxxxxx]

We've had alot of talk on the hybrids and diesels, but one idea thrown out I'd like to talk about some more.

What if you took an AMC, something light & cheap, like an American or Gremlin, and made an electric car with a common generator as backup?  I think Frank might've mentioned that before.  I understand the concept but was wondering:

>Where to find info on an electric motor that would work
>Would the electric motor still need to go through a transmission
>Would a generator like what you'd find at Lowe's or Home Depot work to recharge while driving?

On the last, I'd think not.  I have a Troybilt 5550 gen I bought last yr when I was out of power most of the month due to the storms.  It uses something like 10 gallons a day loaded.  I don't think a normal size generator like this could keep up with current drain in batteries while driving normal speeds, but I'm not really sure how to figure all this out.

I was thinking that, of course, you'd need a sh**load of batteries, but could you separate them into two banks and run off one while the other charges? Kinda like a backup?

For strictly a work car, I go about 60 miles a day, and could most likely plug in a recharger at work for 8 hrs, so having a generator probably wouldn't be required, but it could extend your range I'd think.

I'm kinda intriqued by this idea and wonder how cheaply you could put together a classic AMC using electric/gas power.  I'd need AC as well living here in the South, but that could be added easy enough.  You might could even get a little bit slick with both the AC and recharge system and run if off one of the wheels when rolling, then back to power when in stop'n'go.

I don't know, maybe it's just another idiot idea aka a project that would never get done; just thinking of a way to enjoy our cars regardless of the gas situation...

Jim Boone
Mims, FL

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