Quote:
Originally Posted by preston
Looking forward to it. Many times as I have been overwhelmed in my own projects with "boring" details like getting the windows to seal and body panels to line up not to mention weight, I have often fantasized about building some kind of street rod performance car with the "Ariel Atom" mentality. There is nothing lighter than "nothing", except helium lol...
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Thanks Preston.
"Ariel Atom" mentality is a good way to sum up what I'm after - pure exhileration, screw practicality, but also useful beyond a race track.
Quote:
Originally Posted by preston
...1000 hp AWD sounds nice, but the motor and batteries have to extract a hellacious weight penalty on a minimalist design like that.
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Because I am using the electric drive conservatively (compared to the Inhaler), it won't require a huge battery pack. I can build a 200hp battery pack that would fit under the seats, and weigh between 25 & 50lbs. It would only have a range, on pure electric, of 10-15 miles (at
<35mph), sort of like a Prius, but would be capable of providing the AWD traction needed for quick acceleration off the line, and out of corners (when we get the software sorted out) with street tires.
The challenge is going to be finding the right combination of parts. On the lower priced end of the spectrum, I can get a DC motor and controller for a few thousand bucks, plus about the same amount for the battery pack, that would deliver this. The downside is there's no regenerative braking, which would extend battery range a bit, and also also add a lot of "free" braking power to the front wheels. On the other hand, if I go AC I get regen, but would have to pay out the nose for a custom inverter to run the motor, and probably have the motor re-wound to support the extra current. The currently available motor/inverter combinations, that I know if, are only capable of around 100hp, and with much less torque.
The motors, either way, are around 80-100lbs. Only one is needed, so for ~150lbs total, I get AWD and a couple hundred more ponies.
Sorry for rambling...
EDIT: I forgot, I have a 12:1 rack and pinion coming tomorrow, plus the tubing for the roll cage. I should be ready to order the steel for the frame soon. Cut, grind, and weld, starts next month...
