Very interesting! Check out their company video. (it's a LARGE file)
It has some images of the shop/engine etc. I'll be curious to see how
those vanes wear. I wonder how they're lubed?

But all seriousness aside....

So ok. To hybrid my Westy, all I need is a Honda gen, a bunch of
batteries, and an electric motor right?

;^)

Yes it's Friday!

And it's sunny!

Neil.

On 10/4/07, Ron LK Johnson <adhocMedia@comcast.net> wrote:
> A quick follow-up to Mark's note - lots of nice links - thanks!
>
> Diesel hybrid systems for city buses do operate the diesel engine at
> peak power production - essentially running continuously  or near
> continuously at a constant rpm to maximize efficiency. There are
> several such buses in the Portland, OR fleet (TriMet).
> The diesel engine is connected to a generator that only feeds the
> battery pack - i.e., it is completely out of the drive train. The bus
> is driven by an electric system that is fed by the battery pack. In
> the case of the TriMet buses, the batteries are located on the roof.
> This arrangement allows for a much smaller diesel engine, reduced
> maintenance, increased engine life, reduced emissions, etc.
>
> http://www.regtech.com/
>
> Above is a link to company with a promising rotary diesel engine
> design:  40+ HP in a 6" x 6" package. The claim is the design is
> easily scalable. One of the applications papers on the site describes
> the type of hybrid system above that could be adapted to passenger
> vehicles owing to the small size of their diesel design.
>
>
>
> Ron Johnson
> Portland, OR
> '91 Weekender
> '04 Prius (& former '01 Insight owner)
>

--
Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia -
"Jaco"  (Bustorius)

http://web.mac.com/tubaneil

Please send fav Vanagon/Westfalia links to me at:
musomuso1963@hotmail.com