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Electric Turbos? Good Or Bad?

M

medicboot

GUEST
I saw this on EBAY and was wondering how good it was. I eventually am going to put a supercharger on my AV but I was thinking this might give me something to play with in the meantime. Has anyone heard of these things? If so are they good or just a waste of money? Im thinking of trying one just to see. Just wanted to throw it out there and see what kind of input I get.

Sorry if this has been discussed but I couldnt find anything with a search.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2402130578&category=33742
 
I can't imagine it would do much but would be intersting to see.

I'm sure 11H will be in here soon to comment :)
 
Save your money. The horse power/torque curves in the ad are bogus. That's the first clue.

They also make a big deal of their 450cfm flow rate. That's a meaningless number unless it's accompanied by the pressure rating as well. I'd bet this thing can't produce any pressure.

They talk about not having all the issues a real turbo has. That's because it's not a real turbo.

kw
 
kdubb said:
Save your money. The horse power/torque curves in the ad are bogus. That's the first clue.

They also make a big deal of their 450cfm flow rate. That's a meaningless number unless it's accompanied by the pressure rating as well. I'd bet this thing can't produce any pressure.

They talk about not having all the issues a real turbo has. That's because it's not a real turbo.

kw
Click to expand...

? I did see a review of one of the original electric turbos a while back, I think it was in hot rod or something. ?It produced something along the lines of 1-2 psi boost at idle and almost nothing under acceleration. ?It was a waste of money for the most part. It is actually just some kind of plumbing exhaust fan or something, never meant for auto use.
 
I think it would be more useful as a mechanism to cool the airbox which can get pretty heatsoaked at low speed and idle.
 
Not only do I not understand how this could work (as mentioned the PRESSURE of air is never mentioned and PSI boost is what it's all about) it seems like this is an even more complicated version of the "Tornado" complete with wiring. As noted it doesn't even come with a switch for activiation or anything to automate the use.

Give you a 60 HP increase? Are you kidding me? Nope - I wouldn't waste your money. However if you REALLY want to spend the $40 you can send a check to me made out to CAFCNA and I'll send you a certification that clearly states you have 60 more HP in your Avalanche now. >:D >:D >:D

And my program doesn't impact your factory warranty! :2:
 
It may work ok as a bathroom fan. I'll bet more than one will be recycled in that manner.
 
I have a box of TA450 system cooling fans that will do the same thing. ?I normally sell them for about $10.00 but can raise that price if need be. ?

(As everyone, else has said that thing is a bunch of baloney)
 
All,,,

This is actually a funny thing... I had this in mind as a concept about 6 years ago... I thought there would be a pretty big interest considering "REAL" mechanical superchargers go for over 3K, and the install / un-install is quite involved ... So Mr. Dealership pretty much knows you have crossed the line ...

Concept is as far as it went... I did some fiddling with a very good friend (Engineer with a Ph D) who designs airframe parts on the Apache ... The requirements to regulate the fan speed, pressure, and back-flow are the main problems ...

I honestly believe that at very low RPM they "could" in fact make power in some OK amounts where the unit could maintain positive pressure after the blower... But as engine speed increases, velocity increases incrementally... To have an electric blower small enough to fit, and be linked to the engine's RPM's in real time, would require a 3 or 4 turbine multi stage/axial, VERY sophisticated system that would also have to have a check system to keep back-flow at a minumum... I am not aware of anything adaptable to acheive anything remotely close to this available to the public... If you aircraft guys are familiar with a Jet engine ...A very crude comparison: a multi stage pressure stepping system sort of like a Turbo-Fan Jet engine bringing in vast amounts of air, and exhausting a narrow focused thrust of air ... This is a very crude comparison, but it gives you the idea... I think it would be really hard to devise something of this nature within the cost similarities of a mechanical blower...

But, at $40, I wouldn't pass on it if he had a return policy; as I never put anything together... I mean if curiosity looms, feed it...


11H

 
Just check the Ebay seller's feedback. That about sums it up for this product, I think.
If you think about how much HP a mechanical blower takes from the engine to operate, (20HP comes to mind, but I may be off) you would need to supply a 14V electric motor with over 1000 Amps! Clearly an impossibility.
 
Or a turbo prop engine like the T56...great engine. And these engines still use significant mechanical coupling...not just electrical feedback.

Gandolph does have a good point about heat soaking though. Between the other things in life I've thought about and intend on making some temperature (diferential) measurments in the airbox (actually my FIPK) in the future. Then experiment with sealing, insulating and cool air routing. 1 degree c would be significant however probably not noticable. I doubt this could be easily accomplished at continuous highway speeds. Measurements will tell.

In the past I've painted my airbox and plenum components gold (gold reflects IR better than silver). Did it help? Not a clue...pretty sure it didn't hurt though.

Lex
 
LexLuthor,,,

You make excellent points, that want to make me ramble again to those who continue to spend hard earned money on intakes...
:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

I posted a new thread in the performance section, as I got carried away again... Imagine that huh?

11H
 
These electric turbos are actually bilge blowers for boats. They go in line in a 3 or 4" plastic pipe to allow you to vent your engine compartment before you start your boat engine. They also work well as a booster on a VW bug heating system to get more air into the cabin than the factory fan. Other than that they are useless. The .5 psi is soon offset by your engine sucking air through the fan at a rate higher than the blades are built for, then it is a detriment instead of an advantage and causes drag. Only so much air can pass over a blade before it becomes a problem for itself. Lift, drag, vortex, all that airplane stuff....
I did get about 3 pounds of boost out of a GM smog pump ONCE on the Lancia. Seemed like a good idea...the 12 horsepower or so parasitic from the pump caused a huge negative.
 
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