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The Twin Cities IEEE Technology Management Council invites you to attend
a presentation:
Date: Tuesday 22 Sept 2009 5:30 PM
Topic: Converting your Car to a Hybrid
Presented by: Chris Simon EE of General Dynamics
Location: Southdale Library - Helen Young Meeting Room
Schedule:
5:30 - 6:00 - Networking
6:00 - 7:00 - Presentation and Discussion
7:30 - 8:00 - Questions / Wrap up
Presentation Overview:
Chris has converted his own car, a Ford Focus, to a hybrid and will discuss
and show the results at the September 22 nd. meeting. Come hear how he did
this conversion and the power distribution, design and reliability issues
involved. His motivation to undertake the project was based on the challenge
of constructing a safe and efficient battery powered vehicle that reduces
contributions to global warming and dependence on foreign oil. There were
many decisions that go into such a conversion, including selection of the
"donor" vehicle, motor technology, high power electronic controller, and
most importantly the batteries. These decisions are based on the individual
needs of the user including required range and vehicle speed, cost, and
technical abilities. Much research went into learning what technologies and
components are available, and learning what other conversions had used. The
finished vehicle uses a series string of 17 wet cell 8 Volt lead-acid
batteries, with a nominal system voltage of 136 VDC. Peak power to the motor
is approximately 50 KW. The battery pack drives a series-wound DC motor
through a pulse-width modulated motor controller.
Special design considerations were required for operation of the vehicle in
a cold climate, since lead-acid batteries lose a significant amount of
capacity when cold. (Considerations were also made for the operator, who
gets crabby and uncomfortable when cold!) Removal of the internal combustion
engine (ICE), along with the fuel, cooling, and exhaust systems was
straightforward. Significant challenges arose in adapting the electric motor
to the existing drive-train, and in design and fabrication of boxes to
contain the heavy lead-acid batteries. Fabrication of various parts took
place over the summer of 2008. Once the mechanical pieces were in place the
task of wiring the high voltage system, the control system, and various
safety interlocks was begun. The car made its first trip under electric
power in December 2008 - eight months after its final drive as a
gasoline-powered vehicle.
About the speaker:
Chris is an EE who works at General Dynamics who said
after the project. “I can safely say that I've forgotten more about electric
motors and batteries than I've retained since my days taking EE classes at
Michigan State University.”
"If
opportunity doesn't knock, build yourself a door" - Milton Berle
Location: Southdale Library - Ethel Berry Meeting Room
7001 York Ave S
Edina, MN 55435
(952) 847-5900
South west corner of York Ave S and W 70th St.
Directions: From Minneapolis: Drive
West on I-94 from downtown Minneapolis to I394. Go West to Highway 100 and
go South to 50 th street. Exit and go right (West) several blocks to the
library. Alternate route – Drive South out of Downtown Minneapolis on I35W
until you get to the Cross-town Highway (Highway 62) and go West. Note, this
is a challenging approach as these highways are under construction. Go South
on 100 to 50 th street and exit. Follow prior directions.
From St. Paul I-94: Go West through St. Paul on I-94 to downtown Minneapolis
and then go West on I394 to Highway 100. Follow prior directions.
From St. Paul I-35W North Area: Take I35W South to down town Minneapolis and
go West on I94 through downtown to I394 West. Exit I394 by going South on
Highway 100 and follow prior directions.
From Bloomington: Go North on I-35W to I494 and turn West until Highway 100.
Turn North on 100 and go to the 50 th Street exit. Follow prior
instructions.
Registration:
Please pre-register before noon on Sept 21 by using the online
registration form at:
http://www.tc-ieee-ems.org/meetingregistration.htm
For more information about the meeting call Dave Hendrickson at
(612)709-7675 or email daveh(REMOVE THIS PART)ATcomputer.org
For further information about the Twin Cities IEEE Technology Management
Council Chapter, see our web site at http://www.tc-ieee-ems.org/
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