Conversion of ICE powered multi-cabs to HYBRID, is it possible?

**zel.chikot** · February 20th, 2013 10:14 PM

Is it possible to convert multi cabs (katulad ng mga orange cabs na byaheng moa) to hybrids? By installing electric motor and battery packs on it? Or is it better to just convert it to an electric powered one? Thanks in advance! Please help! Can someone enlighten me if this is feasible?

**ghosthunter** · February 20th, 2013 10:25 PM

Originally Posted by zel.chikot

Is it possible to convert multi cabs (katulad ng mga orange cabs na byaheng moa) to hybrids? By installing electric motor and battery packs on it? Or is it better to just convert it to an electric powered one? Thanks in advance! Please help! Can someone enlighten me if this is feasible?

Here is the thing. Anything is possible if you throw enough money at it.

The challenge is to achieve the target/goal and still be economically viable.

But honestly, if you are going to throw good money at converting multicabs to hybrids, it would be better to start with a blank slate and make a public utility vehicle that is more spacious and comfortable to sit inside of, not a sardine can sitting arrangement as seen in the multicabs today.

OR, just to achieve the low emissions targets, simply convert the multicabs to Auto-LPG. Emissions targets achieved with a minor investment on existing hardware instead of re-engineering a whole system.

**zel.chikot** · February 20th, 2013 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by ghosthunter

Here is the thing. Anything is possible if you throw enough money at it.

The challenge is to achieve the target/goal and still be economically viable.

But honestly, if you are going to throw good money at converting multicabs to hybrids, it would be better to start with a blank slate and make a public utility vehicle that is more spacious and comfortable to sit inside of, not a sardine can sitting arrangement as seen in the multicabs today.

OR, just to achieve the low emissions targets, simply convert the multicabs to Auto-LPG. Emissions targets achieved with a minor investment on existing hardware instead of re-engineering a whole system.

Kasi sir there is an electric powered ambulance sa ust and we want to restore it as our thesis proposal. Sa pagkakaalam ko galing to sa multi cab and converted it to electric powered. I'm not sure pa pero sa tingin ko inalis lang yun engine nito e. Siguro tomorrow or next week i'll check it and its condition and kung talagang inalis lang yun engine nya. Kung ganon nga, we are planning to install the old engine or another engine that fits on it and at the same time, install new battery packs and electric motor on it. Siguro we can shell out a maximum of 100k for this project if this will be approved. What's your thoghts about this sir GH? Thanks for the reply sir GH!

**zel.chikot** · February 20th, 2013 11:12 PM

Sa tingin ko magiging mahirap tong project na to, hindi kakayanin ang 100k siguro for restoring the old multi cab to this hybrid system. Sa tingin nyo? Naiiisip ko palang yun mga conversions na gagawin sa design, mukhang magiging madugo. at yun pag iinstall ng mga madadagdag na parts lalo na at wala pang gumagawa ng ganito at magiging trial and error halos lahat ng mga changes na gagawin.

**ghosthunter** · February 20th, 2013 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by zel.chikot

Kasi sir there is an electric powered ambulance sa ust and we want to restore it as our thesis proposal. Sa pagkakaalam ko galing to sa multi cab and converted it to electric powered. I'm not sure pa pero sa tingin ko inalis lang yun engine nito e. Siguro tomorrow or next week i'll check it and its condition and kung talagang inalis lang yun engine nya. Kung ganon nga, we are planning to install the old engine or another engine that fits on it and at the same time, install new battery packs and electric motor on it. Siguro we can shell out a maximum of 100k for this project if this will be approved. What's your thoghts about this sir GH? Thanks for the reply sir GH!

Ok. There are two types of hybrid vehicles. The difference is how the engine is connected.

The first type is the engine is connected to the wheels. Electric motors give an assist in moving the wheels when needed.

The second type is the electric motors are connected to the wheels. The engine is only used as a generator for additional electric power when needed to extend the range and recharge the batteries.

Assuming the electric drive system in the EV ambulance is still functional & and existing batteries still hold a sufficient charge, you can save yourself a ton of money by keeping the system intact. All you need to figure out is how big a generator you need to install to charge the batteries & drive the electric motor at the same time (easy enough for a couple of electrical or mechanical engineers to compute the required output). End result, a hybrid vehicle.

This is similar to what is currently used in the Chevy Volt.

With a 100K budget, I think this is doable. Part of the money will be used for purchasing the generator & finding a clean way to install it. The other part will be used to either buy or develop a power controller to control power transfer between the generator, batteries and electric motor. Or go cheap and do the power shunting manually from a set of control switches & monitor it from a bank of dials and meters.

**zel.chikot** · February 20th, 2013 11:43 PM

Originally Posted by ghosthunter

Ok. There are two types of hybrid vehicles. The difference is how the engine is connected.

The first type is the engine is connected to the wheels. Electric motors give an assist in moving the wheels when needed.

The second type is the electric motors are connected to the wheels. The engine is only used as a generator for additional electric power when needed to extend the range and recharge the batteries.

Assuming the electric drive system in the EV ambulance is still functional & and existing batteries still hold a sufficient charge, you can save yourself a ton of money by keeping the system intact. All you need to figure out is how big a generator you need to install to charge the batteries & drive the electric motor at the same time (easy enough for a couple of electrical or mechanical engineers to compute the required output). End result, a hybrid vehicle.

This is similar to what is currently used in the Chevy Volt.

With a 100K budget, I think this is doable. Part of the money will be used for purchasing the generator & finding a clean way to install it. The other part will be used to either buy or develop a power controller to control power transfer between the generator, batteries and electric motor. Or go cheap and do the power shunting manually from a set of control switches & monitor it from a bank of dials and meters.

So no need for an ICE on this system right? Just a generator to charge the batteries just like how an ICE charges its batteries for example on a prius right? I think this system is a series hybrid system tama ba ako GH? Does this power controller serves as the ecu of an ice? Thanks sir!

**zel.chikot** · February 20th, 2013 11:50 PM

Naguluhan na ko, hindi ba kailangan padin ng engine dito GH?

Just like the chevy volt, the engine drives the generator to charge the batteries and the electric motor drives the wheels? series hybrid system. While the parallel, the engine or electric motor may drive the wheels one at a time or at the samee time.

Edited: Oh I see, the chevy volt is a series/parallel hybrid system. It can do both.

**ronki** · February 21st, 2013 12:13 AM

Taga ust eng'g ako, nakita ko yung multi cab na yun, cut open yung sides kaya mukang maluwag, pero maliit lang talaga siya.

Tapos ang baterya niya kita ko dalawang motolite hehe...sadly di naman nagagamit...once or twice ko pa lang nakita nagamit yun, laging de tulak na wheelchair ang gamit ng health service pag nag susundo ng pasyente.

**zel.chikot** · February 21st, 2013 12:24 AM

Originally Posted by ronki

Taga ust eng'g ako, nakita ko yung multi cab na yun, cut open yung sides kaya mukang maluwag, pero maliit lang talaga siya.

Tapos ang baterya niya kita ko dalawang motolite hehe...sadly di naman nagagamit...once or twice ko pa lang nakita nagamit yun, laging de tulak na wheelchair ang gamit ng health service pag nag susundo ng pasyente.

Oo nga daw ronki di na daw nagagamit yun ambulance na yun, balak namin kasi gawing public transpo nalang yun around ust, walang terminal, umiikot lang talaga siya kaya any student from any building department pwede sumakay. Ttitgnan ko nga yun ambulance na yun kung ano pwede mapakinabangan pa, nakatambak nalang daw kasi sa may botanical garden e.

**ghosthunter** · February 21st, 2013 12:42 AM

Originally Posted by zel.chikot

So no need for an ICE on this system right? Just a generator to charge the batteries just like how an ICE charges its batteries for example on a prius right? I think this system is a series hybrid system tama ba ako GH? Does this power controller serves as the ecu of an ice? Thanks sir!

The power controller controls when the generator runs and for how long. The engine ECU is a different purpose.

Btw the Prius has a mechanical connection between the engine and wheels.