Recent content by chuckm65

I read about the air engine tech a year ago, or so. I'm not real impressed - with thermal losses at both compression and expansion (when you use it to make your car go) I don't see how it could be even close to the efficiency of an electric motor, because you would use an electric motor (could...

Ok, I'm relatively new to the XJ world as well. What function do the liners provide? Noise and friction reduction? Or what? _________________________________________ 97 XJ, Green & Stock

Well, I checked around with a fiew people I know locally and can't find anyone with a hanging scale I can borrow rated for more than 50 LBs. So I just ordered a 440 LB digital hanging scale. I suppose it'll come in handy for weighing some of the components I acquire along the way, as well...

yeah, he's the guy I sent email to hopefully find out what kind of amp-draw his electric motor saw at 65MPH. His XJ is ALL electric with a reported range of about 35 miles. Despite the fact that he started this project 4 years ago, lead-acid / AGM battery energy densities haven't improved a...

I can see that working - given the vehicles mass and some soft of half-way reliable estimate of rolling resistance (which according to what I've read changes very little as speed increases), take it up to speed and then shift into neutral and plot the change in speed over time. For the rolling...

Amen on that one!

Well, I'm starting to get the idea that the HP required is MUCH less than 90 to go 70 MPH. I found a page for a guy who did a straight electric conversion of an '88 XJ. He used a 19/84 rated/max HP motor. Said the top continuous speed he had attained was 65 MPH. I'm trying to get in touch...

Thank you. I sent him a PM. Hope he writes back soon.

Yeah, the main reason I started this here is that I MUST figure out how much horsepower is required to make an XJ roll through the wind at 70MPH. I guess I figured with all the XJ officianados on this forum that someone would know of a source for this info... or give me a good way to figure it...

Good point - I had planned to check with the manufacturer about that, however I have to admit I am hoping the best way to run it involves no transmission. The basic specs I've seen on this motor shows a max RPM of 10,000 - at what duty cycle I have no idea - that would equate to about 200MPH...

You forgot to mention the electrically powered air conditioner, finding space for coolant systems for the diesel and the electric motor (none of the newer ones with good power ratings are air cooled), sensors to monitor temperatures, pressures, amperages (charging & draw) battery status, some...

Well, if I triple my mileage (actually the correct term should be "fuel efficiency", since some of my cost will be for diesel and some will be for electricity from the grid), it would cut my cost down to a third, say $350 per month, or a savings of $600-700 each month! That adds up quick. My...

Ok, I found a Brake Horsepower curve for a 4.0 liter. http://www.wjjeeps.com/misc/curve_40.jpg It shows about 90 HP at 2,300 RPM, but I assume that is it's maximum horsepower at that speed (i.e. with the throttle wide open). So does it make sense that at 70 MPH with LOTS of pedal left that...

My understanding is that the first leg which would be run off of the batteries is what will really increase efficiency. In terms of the cost of the electricity I use to charge the batteries and the distance I go, I've seen cost comparisons that equate to over 100 miles per gallon - that's at...

I am self-employed. It's very hard to tell sometimes whether or not I will need 4WD - and it's my observation that this XJ seems to do almost as good in 2WD as a an old chevy truck I had a couple of decades ago did in 4WD. As for a civic - I'm 6'4" and 320 lbs - I don't get in a civic... I put...