Re: [MV] Diesel-Electric 5 Ton

James Shanks (n1vbn@bit-net.com)
Mon, 29 Mar 1999 06:03:51 -0500

IN 1966 EMD Division of General Motors < the locomotive division> introduced
the largest engine up to then built by EMD for production....the SD-45. 6
axle V-20 3600 HP 2 stroke turbocharged AC/DC drive. When climbing a
mountain like the Boston & Albany Railroad East out of Pittsfield, Mass. in
full throttle <notch 8> at 12 MPH it burns an AVERAGE of 285 gallons on
number 2 Diesel. Now add two more identical units behind the lead unit and
your up to 12.5 gallons per minute in full throttle. DC motors do not like
shock and do things like flashover (known as a ground relay referring to the
protective device by the same name on railroad engines). The big maintenance
problem with DC drive is not the motors but the controls, one lousy relay
drops out and your dead by the side of the road. I believe this is the
primary stumbling block which AC drive has reduced, not eliminated to a
large degree. Both GE and EMD have made significant strides in fuel economy
since 1966 with horsepower increasing to 6000 HP in one engine!!! Give it
time and the Military will try to use a 6000 HP "Prime Mover" somewhere.
<VBG>

Just my itty bitty opinion

James Shanks
n1vbn@bit-net.com
(N1VBN is my Ham Radio callsign)
n1vbn@wb1dsw.nh.usa.noam

-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Cole <davidacole@juno.com>
To: mmasse@islc.net <mmasse@islc.net>
Cc: mil-veh-digest@skylee.com <mil-veh-digest@skylee.com>
Date: Sunday, March 28, 1999 10:14 PM
Subject: Re: [MV] Diesel-Electric 5 Ton

>Not exactly as the idea is that the batteries can supplement the
>generator to make high amounts of power available for periods of time
>when it is necessary. Locomotives use Diesel generators that power the
>DC traction motors directly, no batteries are used between the generators
>and the traction motors. Most of the new hybrid vehicles are using some
>sort of generator/battery storage/electric motor technology. However as
>others have mentioned, they are now using rectifier/nverter technology to
>make AC multiphase power which can drive much more reliable and efficient
>AC electric motors. And of course it is all controlled by computers.
>Troubleshooting those trucks will require a lot more than a crescent
>wrench!
>Dave
>
>On Sat, 27 Mar 1999 22:01:15 -0500 "Mark Masse" <mmasse@islc.net> writes:
>>Isn't that the same technology that has been in use by the railroads
>>for the
>>last 40 years? I wonder what the hold-up was with the truck market.
>>
>>-Mark Masse
>>1967 Kaiser M715 w/w
>>http://www.islc.net/~mmasse
>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> ...The diesel
>>> engine powers an electric generator
>>> which powers electric drive motors
>>> on each wheel. Regenerative braking
>>> is provided, the diesel operates at
>>> a constant speed, and fuel
>>> consumption is said to 25-50% less
>>> than a conventional truck.
>>
>>
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