Towable Turbine Powered CHAdeMO Charger

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Guys:

This is my trailer. It's a dual-mode combination Range Extender and also a mobile CHAdeMO quick-charger.

It's a 30kW Capstone Microturbine. It's not an Aircraft APU. It has air bearings, 40,000 hour life, and 1 moving part. The emission profile is cleaner than almost all other ICE motors. It is configured to run on Propane, but can run on most any fuel.

I am not using a Manzanita Micro charger for CHAdeMO. The Capstone has a dual-inverter (triple in some configurations) architecture, that has 2 inverters back-to-back. The output inverter is controlled my a custom microcontroller based system that allows interface either to the Leaf directly while driving, or to a CHAdeMO equipped EV while parked. It does not bypass any safety systems anywhere, and uses the CHAdeMO protocol properly to charge the vehicle (parked only).

While underway, the range extension function basically provides traction power for the Leaf indefinitely, and can also add charge to a depleted pack. It does not bypass any of the Leaf's safety systems or the Battery Management system. The GOM (Guess-O-Meter) seems to even be able to somewhat figure it out. As you drive and the range extender provides power, the SOC doesn't drop, so your range stays high. It is intended to be operated only on long highway trips, as it would not be efficient at low power levels.

The whole trailer as shown configured in the picture weighs under 500lbs.

It is not currently for sale, it's still under development. It's a proof-of-concept system.

Yes, I had to make a custom trailer hitch to connect it to the Leaf. No, I will not sell the hitches or provide plans, kits, etc.

Any other questions? =)

If you are local to the Bay Area and wish to see it, I hope to bringing it to San Jose this Saturday to the combined BayLEAFs and EAA meetings.

-Phil
 
Ingineer said:
Guys:

This is my trailer. It's a dual-mode combination Range Extender and also a mobile CHAdeMO quick-charger.

It's a 30kW Capstone Microturbine.

snip snip...
-Phil


WOW! I am IMPRESSED!! :shock:
 
Oh, and FYI: To connect the range-extender to the Leaf there are no permanent modifications made to the Leaf. It is connected with a connector and is reversible in a few minutes back to stock.

pic


-Phil
 
And for those that don't know, the Japanese Guy in the picture is Hidetoshi Kadota, Nissan's Chief Vehicle Engineer for the Leaf. (CVE) He had a lot of questions for me!

pic


-Phil
 
Is that an extra connector direct to the battery in the first pic?

I bet he did have questions for you!

Oh and BTW... I recommend EVSEUpgrade.com to everyone I talk to about the LEAF. :)
 
jimcmorr said:
Is that an extra connector direct to the battery in the first pic?
It's not "extra", it's where the battery connects the the High-Voltage Junction box/DC-DC Converter. The Range extender connects between the battery and here.

jimcmorr said:
Oh and BTW... I recommend EVSEUpgrade.com to everyone I talk to about the LEAF. :)
Thanks! If it isn't obvious by now our mission is to see the Electric Vehicle succeed. We will do anything we can that furthers this cause!

-Phil
 
Ingineer said:
jimcmorr said:
Is that an extra connector direct to the battery in the first pic?

It's not "extra", it's where the battery connects the the High-Voltage Junction box/DC-DC Converter. The Range extender connects between the battery and here.

-Phil

So is that orange boot, looks like it is laying horizontaly below the connector, connected to the battery and normally plugged in up there?
 
jimcmorr said:
So is that orange boot, looks like it is laying horizontaly below the connector, connected to the battery and normally plugged in up there?
No, the connector that normally mates to that one is not in the picture. It continues down under the car in the "tunnel" and connects to the pack. The orange boot you are referring to is the 3-Phase connection from the inverter to the drive motor. (That is the motor it's going into).

-Phil
 
Incredibly sexy. I am in awe of what you do.

Which reminds me...since you're the only person to have the shifter mechanism apart that I know of, does it seem robust enough in construction to be abusing it via frequent "gear" changes between D and ECO?
 
mwalsh said:
Incredibly sexy. I am in awe of what you do.
Thanks! The Capstone is definitely Engineering Porn! =)

mwalsh said:
Which reminds me...since you're the only person to have the shifter mechanism apart that I know of, does it seem robust enough in construction to be abusing it via frequent "gear" changes between D and ECO?
I've covered this in another topic, but yes, it's Hall-effect, so no contacts to wear out (except for the park button). It will outlast the car even if you shift it constantly. If anyone wants to respond to this, Please make another topic. It's bad enough I even responded!

-Phil
 
essaunders said:
Did you strip the turbine down to the bare minimum packaging? Perhaps it is lack of scale reference, but your trailer seems way larger than the long ranger

The "Long Ranger" wasn't 30KW, and used gasoline to run its motorcycle engine, it was very "dirty", can't even be compared to the Capstone. Also, he has the components of a Chademo charger also on the trailer, and a propane tank needs to be mounted somewhere as well, to run the Capstone.
 
Phil, I was thinking that this may make a great STATIONARY fast charger for the California market (demand upcharges and all).. since the capstone is already certified you would add a large propane tank to have a fairly fast charger in a cost effective installation (assuming piped-in gas is not available).. Capstone and everyone else would love to see some widespread distribution. Of course if someone has a couple of $ million to certify a Prius engine for stationary use..

How long does it take for an 80% charge on a Leaf?
 
Herm said:
How long does it take for an 80% charge on a Leaf?
It's a 30KW charger. I believe Phil said it should hit 80% in about a half hour if the pack isn't completely dead when you start. Otherwise slightly longer.
 
Ingineer said:
It's not "extra", it's where the battery connects the the High-Voltage Junction box/DC-DC Converter. The Range extender connects between the battery and here.
Hey Phil,

Where do you source the jack/plug from? I've been browsing a few sites, however haven't been able to find anything that is a match. Are they maybe available directly from Nissan somehow?
 
Tony. The unit wil be able to charge via Chademo and/or be a range extender. It can retain the same safety features. Ultimate solution is to range extend for long trips and provide charging at the location with the trailer detached.
 
Looks like Phil has some potential competition: http://www.gizmag.com/rinspeed-dockgo-concept/20773/

In addition to an "energy pack" that could extend the range of an electric vehicle by adding a combustion engine, range extender, or batteries powered by a fuel cell to the rear of a vehicle, Rinderknecht also envisions other packs to extend the capabilities of the host vehicle in other ways - a pack for pizza delivery cars featuring an integrated heated box to keep pizzas hot or a toolbox pack with customized spaces for a tradesperson's tools, for example.
 
I like a genset on a trailer, but with a single castering wheel and a semi-rigid hitch attachment.. most people dont know how to drive pulling a trailer.
 
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