Honda electric supercharger

[CBuff]

I wonder the groups thoughts on this. Is there a world in the future that this could be adapted to the seven?  I know there is divergent opinions on turbos (with lag and extra weight of cooling plumbing etc). Might the electric supercharger over come some of this.  And maybe even address the packaging limitations of the RHD only 620 with the steering rack conflict. 
https://www.cycleworld.com/blogs/ask-kevin/honda-electric-supercharger-v3-concept-explained/

 

what do the masses say?

 

 

[MV8]

A turbo or belt driven is more efficient overall. This would require a large high output alternator and limited use. Alternators are rated for peak, brief output levels. There is much heat loss in generating and then using the amps required. The engine load from the alt would need to be ramped up so no sudden full boost without some sort of load buffer. An alternator sized for this would be large and isolated/separate from sensitive electronics normally used on efi vehicles.

 

A turbo uses the heat that would be wasted and offsets the need for a muffler restriction where this is entirely parasitic like a belt driven blower but with blow off valves, the output, load can be increased immediately  by closing the bypass valve.

 

 

 

 

[wdb]

From the linked article it appears that electric superchargers require LARGE amounts of electricity -- kilowatts. That implies a large battery, which implies that it is probably only an option on hybrid drivetrains. In short, it breaks both of Colin's rules.  

[NSXguy]

Really cool developmental progress on this tech. However, regarding implementing on a 7, i think it depends on the purpose (fit for use/fit for purpose), but overall i would think not an ideal fit for our cars, given Chapman's ethos... But it is possible to make happen if someone REALLY wanted to do it for coolness mainly. 

1- Most 7 alternators at 45-60(?) amps don't put out enough power (watts) to drive the proposed unit. assuming the lower end of the SC power requirements of 1.5-2kw you'd need a larger (120-150a) alternator to drive it. They are available but will take some work to package(. Might also need storage for steady state/continuous supercharging (read more weight). all this may counter the gains of the SC boost. There are more efficient ways to get a lil bump in power (camshaft if one wants a bump in a particular rpm range) or even a little more "safe timing" if there's Hp on the table. 

 

 

 

Edited December 29, 2024 by NSXguy

[slowdude]

Honda has a good history with turbo bikes. 

 

As emissions regulations increase, smaller displacement engines with electric assisted turbos might make more sense.

 

Be curious to see the caterham 170 take rates, a small turbo 7 is an interesting thought.

[CBuff]

 

[CarlB]

Several years ago, the car manufacturers and turbo manufacturers spent a lot of time with electric turbos. The intent was to use the electric turbo until the regular turbo started making boost. The only thing that was being said was the electric turbo would eliminate lag and provide boost at a lower engine speed. I certainly agree that an electric drive would not be as efficient as an exhaust driven turbo or a belt driven centrifugal compressor with what I know today. Perhaps they only intend to use the electric turbo for short periods of acceleration. I will also point out that railroad locomotives use electric drive. The real advantage is the engine speed is not coupled to the wheels directly and motors make peak torque when they start. Locomotives have a lot to get moving. However, locomotive manufacturers talk about drive efficiency similar to direct gear drive. Maybe because of all the work on electric drive efficiency for electric cars Honda has something new. Maybe Honda is just experimenting. 
I think electric turbos could make it to production cars. The electric turbo could get the car moving quicker without lag and the regular turbo could have a larger exhaust housing. Engines like the Ford EcoBoost spin the turbos up at low engine speeds. The smaller exhaust housing needed to get the turbo working at low speeds cause backpressure at higher speeds. The backpressure reduces the engine efficiency. Having said that, the whole thing is a balancing act of cost. With modern automatic transmissions that have ten speeds and allow the engine to operate at very low speeds on the highway, would it be cost effective to add an electric turbo for the efficiency improvement at the higher engine speed?