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I did a little research today on the use
of the EWP in production cars. I found that BMW has several available with a
mechanical pump sized for high rpm, hiway loads, but a secondary EWP, that takes
care of the load at low idle rpm. However new for this year is a model that has
a new 6 cyl engine with only an EWP (see attached pic, nice looking
unit).
I also found the Dana is building an intelligent cooling system that
using an EWP that looks promising. see http://www.dana.com/technology/intelligentcooling.shtm The
article is worth reading and has some good ideas. They also have an
intelligent oiling system under design using an electric oil
pump.
However what I mostly found was the EWP was
featured as a benefit of the change to 42 volt systems. BMW was hoping to
release a 42 volt model this year, however it has been delayed till next year.
Renault is also close. This has been discussed over past years, but now there is
much new info published as it nears to reality. By default the Germans seem to
have set the standards on this but all the European automakers seem to be
working hard on it. US automakers are dragging their feet on this as they claim
the suppliers are not ready, but the suppliers are waiting for firm commitments
from the automakers. I was just about to comment on the lack of Japanese
movement on this as well, when I tried a search using "Toyota, 42 volts" and
came up with this interesting page http://www.sae.org/42volt/faq/ which indicates that Toyota already
produces a Hybrid using 42 volts, but I'm not sure if this really
counts.
What does this have to do with EWP's? Well it appears that with most
modern production cars being loaded down with so many electronic gadgets there
just isn't much capacity left for powering items that can still be mechanically
driven. What would be a better selling feature, an electric water pump or a DVD
entertainment system to keep the kids quite, along with nice heated seats and
power everything. Considering that the majority of consumers don't have a clue
about their engines, its a safe bet that they wouldn't chose the EWP. Most
people just want to drive a trouble free, comfortable, practical, stylish
vehicle, that gets good mileage. It's the last one that will bring about the
EWP.
As the automakers strive to improve the
mileage, they will look to improve the efficiency in any little ways they can.
In articles on 42 volt systems the electric water pump is mentioned as "improved
efficiency and longer service life" along with many other items to allow the
removal of all mechanically driven accessories. A combined starter/alternator
would be crankshaft mounted, to provide a trouble free and efficient means to
produce the 42 volts, with all accessories being electrically powered including
power steering pumps, A/C compressors and even the valve train would be
eliminated with the use of electronically actuated valves (BMW is working on
this). Even electric supercharging is proposed.
So as Thomas asked why we don't see EWP's in production cars, in
a half dozen or so years you may not be able to buy a new vehicle
without one. In many of our applications we have sufficient electrical capacity
to supply the load of an EWP, so it can be a reality now, however as the
automakers begin to produce 42 volt vehicles and the suppliers begin to catch
up, we will have many more options available to us. When I made the decision to
use an EWP, there was little info available and the only ones available were the
DC pump from Australia and the Meziere pump. There was little known about the
Meziere pump and it's weight cost and lack of available flow controller did
little to interest me, however a former list member (Leon) from Oz had personal
experience with the Davies Craig pump and heartedly endorsed it. It's weight
(2lbs) cost and the flow controller made it an easy choice. I had a few initial
issues with the pump that are fully covered in the archives, but I am very happy
with it now. However as more is known about the Meziere pump and others come
onto the market, I encourage use and testing of these. But none appears to come
close to the DC pump in weight. I was able to replace 12lbs of mechanical water
pump with a 2lb EWP then I even put in a backup pump for a 4lb total. This sure
made it allot easier to swallow the 40lb weight of the turbo. Flexibility of
installation was another huge bonus.
Speaking of turbos, most here are concerned with the EWP cooling an
NA engine, but I'm using it to cool a turbo engine which puts out additional
heat. It also has the added benefit of allowing me to run the coolant through
the turbo after shutdown.
The statement is continually made that the EWP won't work in an
aircraft, but mine has been working fine. This is not to say that there is no
room for improvement or that is the answer for everybody's installation, but it
was the answer for me and I look forward to options that will be brought to us
in the near future.
Todd Bartrim (staking my
claim on purple)(is this font big enough?)(hey arn't you supposed to have good
enough eyesight for the medical anyways?)(I gotta go to
bed)
RV9Endurance
13B Turbo Rotary
C-FSTB
"The world will always have a place for those that bring hard work and
determination to the things they do."
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