Dual fuel

[Treebeard]

I don't think it's a foregone conclusion that Harvester will be air-cooled. Harvester setup seems to be the most widely speculated thing on the forums. Most think a 3 or 4-cylinder version of a VW car engine, which seems plausible. Who knows? My dream engine is a 2.5 turbo VR6, which has been sold in China. The VR6 is compact and sounds great (but I'm not holding my breath).

It’s a range extender, not a drive unit.

 

[Chuckles]

It’s a range extender, not a drive unit.

I'm aware, and I never implied otherwise.

 

[TwoJacks]

I don’t think you understand what I was saying. I know the ice engine is just there to extend the range. But think about how that has to work. Let’s assume the battery goes 150 miles before the harvester has to kick in. Let’s say it kicks in when the battery is at 20 percent. Or 50% for those that believe the battery will be bigger. Then the harvester will need to keep the battery juiced up enough to use the entire tank of gas. Easiest way to do that is to spec a harvester engine that can basically keep the battery at 20%, or that provides enough power to replace what’s used by driving. If the harvester can’t keep up, the car will run out of juice before the gas is used up, and you won’t get 500 miles of range. This is exactly how the Ram Charger is supposed to work. Also why they have a towing mode that kicks in earlier. So you’ll get even less all electric range in towing mode because the harvester likely won’t be able to replace all the energy used, and the battery will slowly deplete while towing. Since it kicks in earlier, say at 50%, it will still be able to run the gas dry before the battery fully depletes. Either way, no 3 cylinder or propane EV generator is going to do the trick. The harvester has to keep up with energy needs while driving or it doesn’t work.

 

[Treebeard]

I'm aware, and I never implied otherwise.

Ok, but your turbo charge VR6 would not be run by your throttle.

It’s a range extender, not a drive unit.

Then why a turbo charged VR6 that sounds good?

 

[Chuckles]

Ok, but your turbo charge VR6 would not be run by your throttle.

Then why a turbo charged VR6 that sounds good?

The engine is at the back of the vehicle. It can be heard, so why not make it sound pleasant? A more powerful engine can generate more electricity. I did use "dream" to describe it. I realize it will likely be a three—or four-cylinder engine.

 

[Treebeard]

I don’t think you understand what I was saying. I know the ice engine is just there to extend the range. But think about how that has to work. Let’s assume the battery goes 150 miles before the harvester has to kick in. Let’s say it kicks in when the battery is at 20 percent. Or 50% for those that believe the battery will be bigger. Then the harvester will need to keep the battery juiced up enough to use the entire tank of gas. Easiest way to do that is to spec a harvester engine that can basically keep the battery at 20%, or that provides enough power to replace what’s used by driving. If the harvester can’t keep up, the car will run out of juice before the gas is used up, and you won’t get 500 miles of range. This is exactly how the Ram Charger is supposed to work. Also why they have a towing mode that kicks in earlier. So you’ll get even less all electric range in towing mode because the harvester likely won’t be able to replace all the energy used, and the battery will slowly deplete while towing. Since it kicks in earlier, say at 50%, it will still be able to run the gas dry before the battery fully depletes. Either way, no 3 cylinder or propane EV generator is going to do the trick. The harvester has to keep up with energy needs while driving or it doesn’t work.

It can be set up many different ways. Until the design comes out why even question it. Why won’t a three cylinder work. All it has to do is drive a generator. Too many unknowns.

 

[Treebeard]

The engine is at the back of the vehicle. It can be heard, so why not make it sound pleasant? A more powerful engine can generate more electricity. I did use "dream" to describe it. I realize it will likely be a three—or four-cylinder engine.

Cause noise sucks. What if the engine speed is not tied to the throttle and it just runs at peak efficiency, say 4000 RPM. Thats not a sound I want to hear.

 

[TwoJacks]

Because math and physics.

 

[Treebeard]

Because math and physics.

So you know what size generator this theoretical 3 cylinder engine will drive and what amount of power it needs to put out to achieve what Scott wants to do? Cool.

 

[TwoJacks]

Yes, more or less. It has to be able to keep up with the power used in normal driving. No two ways about it. Just watch.

 

[TwoJacks]

https://insideevs.com/news/741555/erev-plug-in-scout-charging/

A key question concerning the harvester. Will people really plug them in?

 

[timmyhil]

https://insideevs.com/news/741555/erev-plug-in-scout-charging/

A key question concerning the harvester. Will people really plug them in?

Yes and no lol. I will plug mine in. But i have ADHD so the chances of me not plugging it in is higher than me plugging it in. Lol

 

[TwoJacks]

That’s the thing. If people end up not plugging them in, they’d be better off with a regular ICE vehicle. The harvester only makes sense if it’s mostly used as a plug in.

 

[JungGravy]

yeah, i doubt many people would make it all the way to the purchase stage without the basic understanding that it is primarily a BEV

 

[Mousehunter]

Until I learn a lot more about the Harvester, and unless it is different than I suspect - I will keep my current plan.

My current bet/understanding is that the Harvester will probably be able to handle cruising highway speed. Battery will mostly be used for acceleration and regen braking. That said, if you are towing, it probably will not manage cruising highway speed and it's max range will be significantly sacrificed.

2 cases for me that would make me consider the Harvester. Towing range, and blackouts. I don't think it will give me a lot more towing range - and a diesel generator at my house could handle blackouts. Right now planning on the diesel backup generator. But then again my house will have significant solar and some batteries (hoping for house backup batteries to continue to come down on price. With my plan, perhaps the Scout can also extend my houses 100% solar use during a blackout. Sadly, most of my extended blackouts are during overcast days during winter storms.