This project is forward looking by 5 to 10 years at this point. I see lots of rumblings about ICE being mandated away in many places, and I know the diesel engine in my vehicle is one I probably won’t be able to find a 1 for 1 replacement for anyway. Add to that, the fact that wind power is nearly ubiquitous where I live, and you have a recipe for functionally unlimited power to drive this particular vehicle.
My current questions mostly revolve around what kind of power rating I’m going to need in an electric motor. I know that the wisest thing to do is to oversize the electric motor slightly, as this will lead to a longer useful life. I’m also suspecting that between the fuel and engine weight I already carry, I should have plenty to spare for an electric motor(or two), battery, and wind turbine.
The current diesel engine puts out about 55 HP. The vehicle’s top speed is currently only about 23 mph, and although I’d be fine with the ability to go up to about 45 mph, the vast majority of my travel in this vehicle is typically limited to 20 mph.
My plan is to make a setup that I can drive for 8 - 12 hours, and recharge overnight with wind power. I’m not sure how feasible that is. I already carry a 2000 watt gasoline generator with this vehicle anyway, which I think could be used to supplement wind power if it becomes strictly necessary. I guess this makes my next question figuring out how big my wind turbine needs to be in order to support that kind of duty cycle.
I can also supplement wind power with solar sometimes, but it’s far less reliable and potent around here.
How big of an electric motor do I need to replace a 55 hp diesel?
