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I just pulled the rear differential & drive shafts out of my 99 CRV (ex-4wd).
For a bunch of reasons (weight & MPG being one), it won't be re-installed.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f147/Xringer/CRV/D066.jpg

My rear wheels are free-wheeling now. So, the Poulsen assist system seemed like
it could be applied to my CRV.


Then, another idea occurred to me. What if 2 motors (back-to-back) were installed where the rear differential used to sit?

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f147/Xringer/mainseal.jpg

It's got me wondering if the older (Generation 1) CRVs might be good candidates for a power assist system??
There a LOT of older CRVs on the roads these days..

Comments please.

That is exactly what I thought when reading about this system, seems like you would get more value out of the investment by taking the extra step rather than the system Poulsen is selling.

I don't know about technical aspects, but logically makes sense to me if it is technically feasible.

Their FAQ is pretty informative. http://www.poulsenhybrid.com/FAQ.html

I emailed Poulsen Hybrid with the specs of my ride, to see if they think it might be a good candidate for their system.

I looked at their parent company info on the web and it looks like they might be wanting to get into the drive motor end of the hybrid market.
http://www.alphacore.com/
Since they do manufacturing of magnetic coils etc, it seems like it wouldn't be much of a leap to start making motors too.


A much advanced version of in-wheel motors are under development at Siemens.
http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/10/siemens-vdo-announces-ecorner-motor-in-hub-concept/
I guess it's going to be a while before we see this stuff in domestic cars..

Just got a reply back from Poulsen.
--------------------------------------

Hi,
Our first generation system was designed for smaller and lighter cars than your CRV. I feel you will be better iff with the larger version we have planned.
We expect to have it available early in 2009. We just tested the Scan Gauge and have plans to maybe incorporating it in our control box as an option.

Please stay in touch. We just updated the site with an FAQ section.


Ulrik Poulsen l ulrik@bridgeportmagnetics.com

Office: 203-954-0050 l Fax: 203-954-0051 l Toll free 800.836.5920 or 877.867.8726
www.alphacoredirect.com l www.tortran.com l www.poulsenhybrid.com

Bridgeport Magnetics Group Inc.
Alpha-Core / Tortran
6 Waterview Drive
Shelton, CT 06484
USA

Hmmm. It sounds a little bit like one of those conglomerations
formed around a given project that's still trying to find its
own identity a bit. That always raises a couple of flags for
me, but maybe they'll get it sorted out.
.
_H*

Ulrik Poulsen seems to have been around for a while..

http://www.tortran.com/about_us.asp
Bridgeport Magnetics™ is a registered trademark of Tortran Inc. founded in Bridgeport, CT in 1986.

http://www.alphacoredirect.com/index.html?lmd=39452.612164
Alpha-Core Inc., based in Shelton, Connecticut was founded in 1982 etc. etc.

I noticed in the FAQ it says that it can be only installed on a 15" diameter or larger wheel. I guess that means my car (and also the Insight) aren't contenders for having the Poulsen hybrid drive installed on them.

It may have to do with the diameter & width of the tire.
The top-down view seems to show the motor fits so close to the rim, that it's outside edge is inside the side bulge of the tire.

http://www.poulsenhybrid.com/_images//hybridImg.jpg


http://www.poulsenhybrid.com/_images//AIOtmp2.gif

The idea might have been to keep the Arm (and motor) from sticking out too far on the sides.
And, with a smaller wheel, you would need a pretty convoluted Valve extension..