Electric Sleds??

[Scott]

Ya know what I'd like to have?

An electric sled that weighs as much as mine and has the same power as mine and doesnt' need recharged after just one ride. I'd take it.

Can you imagine how fun that would be if it were "silent" while climbing a hill...like riding an electric golf cart?

Electric motors have major torque....if you don't believe me then check them out on Youtube or on the Speed Channel. They are bad azz. The dude with the fully electric Chevy Luv was WASTING every gas powered car he races at the track.

 

[Ex-Member]

Ya know what I'd like to have?

An electric sled that weighs as much as mine and has the same power as mine and doesnt' need recharged after just one ride. I'd take it.

Can you imagine how fun that would be if it were "silent" while climbing a hill...like riding an electric golf cart?

Electric motors have major torque....if you don't believe me then check them out on Youtube or on the Speed Channel. They are bad azz. The dude with the fully electric Chevy Luv was WASTING every gas powered car he races at the track.

+1. Ther'es a dirt bike that's electric, it runs for "up to 2 hours". Which means about 30mins of actual riding. And when it dies, you'd better hope it dies next to an outlet.

Biggest thing is capacity. When someone figures out a way to triple the power density of current batteries, they'll never have to work again and technology like electric vehicles may actually be a viable option.

Electric motors are stupid torquey. Locomotives burn coal that powers generators that turn DC motors that are attached to the wheels.

 

[mountainhorse]

Heck yea...

Great topic

A sled that does not need a clutch, exhaust, or fuel control system.

Fuel cells would be the only way I see as possible...

Constant torque from zero to full throttle.

Weight could be kept down as well.

Just need the fuel cell technology.

It would be wicked fast and probably faster than any gas burning sleds.

Have a look at the Telsla car... that thing has a 0 - 60 in less than 4 seconds...Dang!!

 

[Scott]

Anyone see the electric Shelby Cobra on the show "Gearz"?

 

[carpainter29]

I cant even imagine how hard an electric sled would pull. Would be a real arm stretcher.

 

[Scott]

LOL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSbfczLmkF0&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqU4LMrS7_U

Try this:
http://electricsnowmobile.mcgill.ca/

 

[Scott]

LOL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPPFlDXQ6bk&NR=1

 

[Scott]

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=electric+snowmobile&search_type=&aq=0&oq=electric+snow

 

[Barton]

Great post Scott. Electric would be very cool. I've got some time on my hands today with all the snow on the ground that I may just see what I can come up with.

 

[Scott]

This one shows how quiet it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nToZb-i6zdc

 

[mynameislance]

One phrase for you: "SAE Clean Snowmobile Zero Emissions Competition"

Look into Wisconsins sled, not sure what they brought this past year but in '08 they blew the doors off the rest of us. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong on this but they had Chevrolets EV1 electric motor with a bunch of Milwaukee drill batteries, I forget how many but it was A LOT. The motor is capable of 130 hp/110 ft-lb and, again correct me if I'm wrong, but they had it only putting out ~90-100hp b/c they were limited by their controller. Weight and appearance of the sled was same as stock...that thing ripped. It beat all but 2 of the GAS powered sleds in the 550ft speed run, I want to say it got ~65mph. I forgot the range they said it had, way more than anyone else, could charge it in something crazy 45 mins or around there. I've never been so in awe while getting my arse handed to me in a competition . I'm sure people from the team are on here and can fill you guys in on the correct details but to you guys and gals...cheers to you for designing/building one BAMF sled

 

[mynameislance]

And sorry if any of the youtube videos are of that sled and I did a "repost", but I can't look at youtube at work

 

[Scott]

And sorry if any of the youtube videos are of that sled and I did a "repost", but I can't look at youtube at work

Yeah there are a couple there.

 

[ruffryder]

A sled that does not need a clutch, exhaust, or fuel control system.

That would be sweat too. We loose a lot of engine power getting it to the crank. There is a lot of power available when it comes to drive-train efficiency.

Constant torque from zero to full throttle.

zero, yes, but it decreases from that point on.


Electric would be a great option, just energy storage is a problem, as it always has been. I doubt fuel cells fill the bill here. They are not really much for a large dynamically changing load.

Best might be a mix of two different types, ultra-caps for fast power delivery and then a more long term storage system.

Who is it that said locomotives burn coal? ummm... Don't they burn diesel?

 

[mountainhorse]

If you want to see "Fast electric" ... look up the Tesla electric car... It will give a Porsche or Ferrari a run for the money.

 

[mynameislance]

You guys are right on with the energy storage issue...once battery technology catches up with everything else (it's progressing rapidly) electric sleds, bikes, cars, etc. will be a viable option.

 

[RMK7SledHead]

battery storage is already there...it's just extremely expensive (to the point of being prohibitive for a hobby). The only glider manufacturer in the US is working on an electric airplane...the $10,000 in batteries he had, the last time I saw the project, fit in a shoebox.

Now, where's my mini-nuke plant for my home so I can recharge my batteries after a ride?

 

[Snowizard]

+1.
.............. Locomotives burn coal that powers generators that turn DC motors that are attached to the wheels.

I think you meant to say Diesel engines drive DC generators...........the rest is as you stated.

If you listen to a typical Diesel/electric locomotive from a standing start it sounds like they are shifting gears, but actually they "shift" electric motor winding configurations.

Starting is series DC mode ( Max torque at zero RPM!) something is either going to move, or break.

Then the shifting goes ( don't rmbr exact sequence) series/parallel, Parallel /series, then parallel. armature-field combo's.

Some mighty impressive "light dimmer" SCR switches involved.

 

[Ex-Member]

I think you meant to say Diesel engines drive DC generators...........the rest is as you stated.

Do I look like a train nerd to you?

Didn't know about the "shifting" they do. Interesting, and yeah; i'm sure there's some pretty beefy electricals in there

 

[ruffryder]

Starting is series DC mode ( Max torque at zero RPM!) something is either going to move, or break.

Then the shifting goes ( don't rmbr exact sequence) series/parallel, Parallel /series, then parallel. armature-field combo's.

Some mighty impressive "light dimmer" SCR switches involved.

From wiki...

Transition methods include:

• Series / Parallel or "motor transition".
  • Initially, pairs of motors are connected in series across the main generator. At higher speed, motors are re-connected in parallel across the main generator.
• "Field shunting", "field diverting", or "weak fielding".
  • Resistance is connected in parallel with the motor field. This has the effect of increasing the armature current, producing a corresponding increase in motor torque and speed.

Note: Both methods may also be combined, to increase the operating speed range.

• Generator transition
  • Reconnecting the two separate internal main generator stator windings from parallel to series to increase the output voltage.

Pretty cool stuff..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#Diesel-electric_control

Learn something every day!