Hello all from Adam in NYC. Sorry for the wait, had to send the truck out for fixing and get a new laptop working.
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Originally Posted by pavel
If I can pull this thread back to its beginning - the Disco I and many other good vehicles are plentiful and cheap enough now to make excellent raw materials for retrofit hybrids or fully electric vehicles. We all know that cheap oil is gone now and that a small diesel/generator unit could efficiently produce enough power to keep a set of batteries charged. Electric motors have enormous torque at stall and are stunningly reliable. I suspect a 50 hp electric motor would push a Disco quite well; a 100hp motor might be impressive. The fancy technology like regenerative braking probably isn't necessary in a hybrid kit-converted LR.
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Actually, any conventional motor can be used as a regenerative brake. You just need the right electronics that would steer the back EMF (electromotive force) back to a charging circuit and then to the storage cell.
You are correct that now is a great time for a kit. I wish someone could drag someone with the proper technical inclination to this forum and the love of a Land Rover to do such an endavour.
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Originally Posted by pavel
When I look under the hood at that 4.0 litre Buick V8 in our 96 Disco or the 8.0 litre V8 in our 76 F250 Ford it is obvious that these vehicles can be made more fuel miserly without sacrficing much or any performance.
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Originally Posted by pavel
Perhaps an outfit like Advance Adaptors might pick up this torch and begin to develop a basic true hybrid kit in the $2000 - $5,000 range. What you need is a super reliable small diesel generator - I wonder what is available right now......
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I took a look at Advance Adapors and I did not see any kits in the hybrid catalogory.
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Originally Posted by pavel
I have to admit with gas in the $1.17/liter range here in Canada, we drive our Disco less and less for daily transport rather reserving it more for pleasure. The Ford we only drive when absolutely necessary! A smaller lighter (disposable) commuter car is much cheaper to run for commuting in every way - besides I can pamper the Disco and keep it in better shape when it is driven only a few times per week.
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