Talk With a Dodge Truck Design Engineer

[GHarman]

I want to second Gharmon's request for a diesel electric vehicle. A small diesel engine powering a generator, with batteries and electric motors at the wheels. Maybe enough batteries to give it a 50 miile or so range on batteries alone. More would be better if we have better batteries. It would have to get outstanding mileage. Oh yes, lets have regenerative braking and plug-in recharge capability too.



Thanks, Mike in Florida - '06 2500 Megacab

On a huge scale, the Diesel Electric Locomotives have been moving freight for the railroads for 60+ years. I dont want a plug in with a huge resource wasting and environmentally unsound battery operating sustem. The only batterys that should be on board are to store any overcharge (here is the poison in the ointment), to initially start and to power lights and accessories. To further define my intent. No P. C. Hype like the Prius and its counterpart. I am looking at a 300,000-500,000+ mile, on road and off road hauling truck. Not an, I dont know if I can make 100,000 miles with my original equipment intact, tin can that makes the eco-nuts swoon! Individual electric wheel motors with waterproof gear reduction drives at each wheel or an electric motor fore and aft (4X4 front and rear axles) attached to a differential gear reduction drive (attached to the frame) with live axles extending down to the wheel hub, individual suspension. There are probably a dozen ways to configure this but my criteria doesnt include a 2500# battery! How can you haul anything if you are wasting GVW capacity with an ineffcient (and resource hogging) storage system. The question is; How can you store the overcharge and reuse it when needed? This is part of the technology we need. This eliminates the damage to the environment from the cradle to grave life of these huge batteries that are the darlings of the environmentalists. Respectfully, GregH

 

[GHarman]

Diesel electric trucks

Some further thoughts, Weight is the real factor here. Our 5. 9's weigh about 1000#. A smaller Diesel engine and a generator/alternator will weigh about 50% more (SWAG). Then you have the electric motors and the gear train. As an example, a 100 HP industrial copper wound motor weighs 1000#. In my limited experience, A. C. , three phase motor/s would be the most efficient. The diesel/alternator power supply needs to be small enough to allow for the horsepower /weight ratio of the electrics and their gear drives, Trans axles or differentials. The electrics really need to be environmentally hardened. (moisture proof)



The Diesel engine would not need more than 50 HP, probably less. I may not need a turbo, unless it is operated at high altitude. Could probably be a low RPM engine that is use to generate electricity. Not to turn the drive train! Electric motors would be the sole source of motion. I'd wager that you could get more than 50MPG with a similar configuration in a full size truck. Just developeing the proper configuration of electric motors and drivetrain with overcharge storage without extra weight and the ability to operate in extreme environmental conditions with a maintainence friendly vehicle? That is the challange. GregH

 

[FullSack]

I guess my wants are more cosmetic . . .



1) backlights on the cruise control buttons. Not bright ones, but enought where you can see them at night.



2) backup sensors. Ford has it and they are great. Let's face it, our trucks are big and if you add a shell - it's even more difficult to see.



3) a lockable tail gate for security.



4) a 12v accessory plug in the bed