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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Slow Rider on April 01, 2010, 06:58:04 PM

Title: For you All Electric Coach Only guys
Post by: Slow Rider on April 01, 2010, 06:58:04 PM
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/bfs/1672435831.html (http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/bfs/1672435831.html)
Title: Re: For you All Electric Coach Only guys
Post by: Nick Badame Refrig/ACC on April 01, 2010, 07:18:53 PM
Hey Franklin,

Seems to me that it's time to have a really big Rally with that thing powering us all..

Nick-
Title: Re: For you All Electric Coach Only guys
Post by: Chopper Scott on April 01, 2010, 08:06:35 PM
At 4 grand that is a steal! Wish it was closer to me. Any nuts coming this way that has some extra bay room?  ;)
Title: Re: For you All Electric Coach Only guys
Post by: oldmansax on April 01, 2010, 08:10:56 PM
How about an electric drive train? No tranny, no differential, no jakes, no long belts for cooling, no DN50, no problems. How 'bout it, you train guys, can we make it work?
;D ;D ;D

TOM
Title: Re: For you All Electric Coach Only guys
Post by: DaveG on April 01, 2010, 08:16:58 PM
Wow...you'd need another axle to carry the weight, but an incredible price, but noisy when camping
Title: Re: For you All Electric Coach Only guys
Post by: TomC on April 01, 2010, 10:59:27 PM
That Cat engine-the D343 was also called a 1693 for truck use.  It was a dual overhead cam engine, and on that generator with no aftercooler was rated at 325hp.  With aftercooler was rated at 425hp-or 4 and a quarter.  The 1693 was so expensive to make that Caterpillar came out with a push rod engine (camshaft in block) and called it the 3406.  Both were 893cu in and the 3406B model is what I have in my truck at 400hp and 1375lb/ft torque.  I firmly believe that the mechanical Caterpillar engines were the most reliable Diesel engines ever made. This I can say after owning a 8V-71, 6V-92, 8V-92.  After suffering through the almost constant maintenance of the two stroke engines, the mechanical Cats are refreshingly just about maintenance free (up and beyond oil changes and valve adjusts).  Good Luck, TomC
Title: Re: For you All Electric Coach Only guys
Post by: Gary '79 5C on April 02, 2010, 03:38:50 AM
I can assure the buyer that this does NOT have the listed 8000 amp CB, unless specified by the "locals" within the beltway in DC...
Title: Re: For you All Electric Coach Only guys
Post by: johns4104s on April 02, 2010, 05:47:57 AM
Tom C,

What type of 2-stroke maintenance do you mean?

Thanks

John
Title: Re: For you All Electric Coach Only guys
Post by: belfert on April 02, 2010, 06:50:19 AM
I wonder if the seller meant to type 800 amps?  That would make a lot more sense although 800 amps would seem a little small for 200KW at 208 volts.  I guess nothing says the main can't be smaller than the rated capacity.  you just won't be able to use the full capacity.
Title: Re: For you All Electric Coach Only guys
Post by: buswarrior on April 02, 2010, 07:02:19 AM
Electric drive train is lurking in the Hybrid bus near you.

The Orion VII has a traditional rear axle with a big electric motor driving it. Reverses for regenerative braking, battery bank is on the roof, out of the way, floor is low at both doors, good for a midships toy hauler?

There's a choice of engines for the generator, Cummins ISL is popular, mounted sideways at the back.

Engine RPM is variable, depending on the load and charge in the battery bank. Throttle pedal commands the electrics, not the engine.

Similar to Toyota's Prius, no real fuel savings at highway speed, but somewhere 20% better in the city.
Also, some manufacturer's concerns about steady long haul highway use, but a busnut should be able to overcome those cooling issues...

happy coaching!
buswarrior


Title: Re: For you All Electric Coach Only guys
Post by: TomC on April 02, 2010, 07:56:08 AM
Buswarrior-  the cooling issues are similar to mine in my transit.  Never have a problem in stop and go, but long steady pulls at above 90 degrees are cause to pull back on the throttle.

Johns4104s- this is the kind of maintenance you're supposed to do with a 2 stroker: Oil changes at 6,000 miles (sooner on mine); 100,000mi run the valves and adjust the fuel rack; 200,000mi roll in rod and main bearings-run the rack; 300,000mi rebuild the blower and turbo-run the rack; 400,000mi roll in rod and main bearings-run the rack; 500,000mi rebuild the engine.

Let's compare that to the new Detroit DD15's: Oil changes at 50,000mi (for over the road-35,000mi for in town regional use); valve adjust (no fuel rack) at 80,000mi-then a valve adjust if power loss is felt.  That's it!  Course, there's more filters to take care of because of the smog devices.  Oil coalescing filter at 50,000mi, regenerating the particulate filter at about 5,000mi (depends on your driving).  Cleaning the particulate filter at around 300,000mi. 

The 2 strokers are the most maintenance intensive Diesels ever used.  But, with the suggested maintenance, were also very reliable.  I'm sorry they were discontinued.  Good Luck, TomC
Title: Re: For you All Electric Coach Only guys
Post by: buswarrior on April 02, 2010, 08:09:24 AM
The cooling issue is with the electric drive unit, which is hydraulically cooled, with huge lines, similar to what is used on a B400 or B500.

A busnut would just rig up another large in-line oil to air exchanger and be done with it.

I wonder why some manufacturers seem so resistant to additional coolers and want to keep trying to dump everything into the engine radiator, even to this day?

Gotta be money or closed mind thinking?

happy coaching!
buswarrior
Title: Re: For you All Electric Coach Only guys
Post by: mc5a Jon on April 02, 2010, 08:28:56 AM
Can u spell overkill? ;D
Title: Re: For you All Electric Coach Only guys
Post by: Sean on April 02, 2010, 09:43:19 AM
Quote from: belfert on April 02, 2010, 06:50:19 AM
I wonder if the seller meant to type 800 amps?  That would make a lot more sense although 800 amps would seem a little small for 200KW at 208 volts. 

Actually, 800 amps is just about right as an overload for this unit.  Don't forget it's three-phase; you need to divide by 1.73.

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com (http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com)
Title: Re: For you All Electric Coach Only guys
Post by: Runcutter on April 02, 2010, 02:34:23 PM
Jon, the seller can't spell, capitalize, or punctuate.

Arthur
Title: Re: For you All Electric Coach Only guys
Post by: belfert on April 02, 2010, 04:04:10 PM
Quote from: Sean on April 02, 2010, 09:43:19 AM
Quote from: belfert on April 02, 2010, 06:50:19 AM
I wonder if the seller meant to type 800 amps?  That would make a lot more sense although 800 amps would seem a little small for 200KW at 208 volts. 

Actually, 800 amps is just about right as an overload for this unit.  Don't forget it's three-phase; you need to divide by 1.73.

The seller says it includes an 8000 amp breaker.  I assume the seller means 800 amps.

I am assuming a single phase unit since it says 120/208 volt.  Can you even do 120 volt three phase?
Title: Re: For you All Electric Coach Only guys
Post by: Sean on April 02, 2010, 04:54:07 PM
Quote from: belfert on April 02, 2010, 04:04:10 PM
I am assuming a single phase unit since it says 120/208 volt.  Can you even do 120 volt three phase?

120/208 is a three-phase voltage.  It's 120 phase to neutral, and 208 phase to phase.

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com (http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com)
Title: Re: For you All Electric Coach Only guys
Post by: WVA_NATIVE on April 03, 2010, 04:30:00 PM
Quote from: buswarrior on April 02, 2010, 07:02:19 AM
Electric drive train is lurking in the Hybrid bus near you.

The Orion VII has a traditional rear axle with a big electric motor driving it. Reverses for regenerative braking, battery bank is on the roof, out of the way, floor is low at both doors, good for a midships toy hauler?

There's a choice of engines for the generator, Cummins ISL is popular, mounted sideways at the back.

Engine RPM is variable, depending on the load and charge in the battery bank. Throttle pedal commands the electrics, not the engine.

Similar to Toyota's Prius, no real fuel savings at highway speed, but somewhere 20% better in the city.
Also, some manufacturer's concerns about steady long haul highway use, but a busnut should be able to overcome those cooling issues...

happy coaching!
buswarrior

------------------------------------------------

What size electric motor do these buses take?

WVaNative



Title: Re: For you All Electric Coach Only guys
Post by: belfert on April 03, 2010, 06:28:29 PM
Quote from: buswarrior on April 02, 2010, 07:02:19 AM
Electric drive train is lurking in the Hybrid bus near you.

The local transit authority is running hybrids from Gillig.  The main issue is the upfront cost.  Each bus costs $200,000 more than a diesel only bus.  They are expected to save 1965 gallons of diesel per bus per year.  My estimate is well over 25 years to break even.  A lot of local citizens complained up front about the waste of money.  These buses will cost more per mile over the life of the vehicle (unless fuel prices at double or triple in cost) as they get replaced every 12 years.

These buses are using the Allison electric drivetrain.  (MCI is also using this for their hybrid commuter coaches.)  It appears Allison has built an electric motor into one of their automatic transmissions.