Open Source Hybrid Electric Vehicle Drivetrain
We are currently in the design phase of this project and welcome volunteer participants.
Design goals
- Create an open design that reduces the cost and increases ease and desirability of retrofitting older vehicles
- Plug-in electric drivetrain supporting modern Tesla/NACS compatible plug
- Run/charge efficiently on gasoline or alternative fuels from its original tank
- Run/charge from bolt on external/modular power sources (such as wood, steam, heat, hydraulic, air pressure, etc) using a standard 2" receiver
- Power external devices (via electricity, hydraulics etc)
- Create a test platform usable on its own, and compatible with Open Source Ecology's modular power sources, for testing and demonstration of drive trains
- Modular open design is appropriate for an educational context in maker communities, and collaborative improvement
Trajectory EV
- Fabricator working to demonstrate that expiring car generations can be converted to electric rather than demolished. They will have a goal to create an electrification design that can keep classic VW buses and other common late model vehicles (such as f150 or rav4) on the road, and ideally to open source that design or its interfaces and sell affordable implementations to the public.
- This implementation will allow for the creation of a multi-fuel range extender test platform for Open Source Vehicle Experiments experiments, with easy to swap testing procedure
- Trajectory is also donating the electric motor, and battery system design, which they have completed
Open Source Ecology
- Seeks to develop open source HMCU Powerplant - Open Source Ecology
- Seeks to research technologies appropriate for
- Open Source Modules such as
- Seeks to create a desirable marketing demos which will captivate social media attention and an accessible on-ramp for experimentation by the general public
- These type of modules would plug into the 2” receiver in the rear of the vehicle near the engine bay, integrate with the system by charging the batteries or in the case of the gasifier by providing fuel to a commercial range extender / generator
- Power Cube - see Genealogy
- Electric Power Cube
- Hydraulic Motor
- Steam Engine
- Open Source Fuels Construction Set
- Gasifier Burner - Open Source Ecology
- Gasifier Burner/Research Development - Open Source Ecology
Good Ancestor Foundation
- Managing the vehicle modification under a restricted grant
- Staff donating use of prototype test vehicle
- Will use the vehicle, concepts and documentation in cooperation with Open Source Ecology to spread related ideas, technology and for organizational marketing
- Will use in concert with Vermont-based regenerative agriculture project for marketing purposes
- Investigation to create a research test platform for multi-fuel range extenders in inexpensive hybrid electrics.
Robert Roche - Media Production
- Media and videography. Location: Howland Hill Rd
Prototype Vehicle
Technical Links
1979 Type 2 / Transporter / Bus - Vin 2292077530
2.0L Fuel Injected
Service Manual
Vehicle Wiring Diagram
Starter Wiring Diagram
http://www.ratwell.com/technical/FAQ.html
Parts: www.busdepot.com(see also aircooled.net jbugs.com busboys etc)
Forums: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/
Platform choice
This vehicle platform was chosen for its iconic recognizable design, widespread use in marketing, availability of parts and documentation, simplicity of rear engine mounting for use as a test platform.
Implementation choices
- Inexpensive lithium polymer battery suitable for drivetrain and cabin load use ($5k base)
- 1.6L Hybrid range extender ($2k target)
Prep and modifications performed by volunteer parts and labor
- Upgraded to adjustable koni shocks to carry additional weight, and allow modern safer handling
- Upgraded tires to appropriate sidewall stiffness for safe handling
- Rustproofing and painting bottom ahead of battery boxes, minor welding
- Installed new fuel tank and fuel lines, fuel pump
- Removed ceiling material for running wires and partial installing of new ceiling
- Front and rear 2” receivers have been installed and purchased (for bolt on rear test platform)
- Entire bottom was coated with rustproofing material
- Dents were banged out
- Modern front seats installed for safety (from wrecked BMW 7-series)
- Sound deadening and insulation panels were installed, door seals replaced and many miscellaneous
A shop performed
- Removal of engine and re-installation of transmission in preparation for electric motor
Next steps
- Installation: Electric motor proof of operation
- Publish: design and documentation of undercarriage battery box
- Publish: electric subsystem, battery management system, range extender wiring diagrams and sketches
