[ KB ] Electric Superchargers

[bszopi]

Article Name: Electric Superchargers
Author: bszopi
Description: Why not to try to boost your engine with electricity.

Category: Myths
Type: Articles


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[SappySE107]

While its not good on the charging system, and it won't produce any boost, these electric turbos can give you a small increase in power for a short period of time. Its proven on a dyno and at the track. So yes its a myth still because i still see it claimed to boost the motor, but its not a complete lie as there is a couple hp to be had. Obviously the size of the motor will matter as it would with selecting a REAL super or turbo charger.

[Vertigoomg]

Electric superchargers may work on carburated motors to help aid vacuum issues. Has anyone tested this theory? I doubt any electric supercharger will ever take the place of a regular supercharger or turbocharger. Maybe it should be renamed the electric intake supplement?

[Syn]

you guys gotta be kiddin, if ur gonna try this then hook a leaf lower up to ur car....

[your_I.D.]

Not kiddin, http://turbomagazine.com/tech/0406tur_knight/

[bszopi]

Have you read the article? You know, there is a reason its in the MYTHS area.

[your_I.D.]

Have you read the article? You know, there is a reason its in the MYTHS area.

yes. Have you read the artical the link I posted?

[bszopi]

TK: Testing has shown the smaller the engine, the higher the sustainable boost. If a 3.5-liter engine is running 24v, boost will peak at 10 psi at 2000 rpm and then drop off to 3 psi at 6500 rpm. A 1750cc engine would make 10 psi at 4000 rpm while dropping off to 3 psi at 13,000 rpm. The boost drop is linear, so that 1750cc engine would make 7-8 psi at redline, and launch at 15 psi using 24 volts. If a blow-off valve is used to bleed off excess pressure, a steady sustainable boost is possible until the capacity of the supercharger is reached. This means that a prepared 1.6-liter four-cylinder can run a sustained 15 psi at 36 volts to 6000 rpm.

So, you have to upgrade your electrical system to AT LEAST 24V. Then, your boost linearly decreases as RPM increase... And, its like a nitrous thing where it can only be engaged for small amounts of time or you will drain the batteries dead.

[Manitcor]

actually the Thomas knight solution and others like it DO WORK. Unlike your typical electrical setup that feeds directly off the electrical system this system uses industrial capacitors and transformers to store a high enough voltage electrical charge to turn the charger fast enough to create boost. Typically instead of belt driving the compressor wheel will be directly driven reducing drag on the electric motor.

Of course the car cannot provide this power constantly which is why the energy is built up in a capacitor bank. This setup typically takes a few Min's to charge and then when activated will only give you a few seconds of boost. Charging time and boost time are both completely dependant upon the type and number of capacitors you use.

The real killer for this thing is that due to the high cost of industrial capacitors and the electrical setup necessary a setup with a charge time of 3-5mins and a boost time of 30-45secs costs about $3500. At that price you might as well use a more traditional form of boost and have it on all the time.

[Azrael]

For the actually functional electric superchargers, the needed capacitors, batteries, and transformers needed to run the high-power motors isn't just expensive. It adds a a lot of weight too. Much more than a traditional SC or TC would.

[Mach10]

Read between the lines.

Does ANYONE know how much 4 5Kw 24v electric motors, 6 VERY high-end sealed batteries, and a 24v electrical system workover would cost?

At least a good 4 or 5 normal turbocharger installs. That's how much.

It's not a myth in that it can't happen. It's a myth that it's economical horsepower.

That article is filled with the usual rice-mag techno-nonsense. Compression ratios in the exhaust manifold? Could it be that an burning gas EXPANDS?!?!? I better get out the CAI and yellow plug wires!