Equipped To Survive Equipped To Survive® Presents
The Survival Forum
Where do you want to go on ETS?

Topic Options
#27352 - 05/05/04 12:35 AM Hybrid vehicle rescue
Anonymous
Unregistered



Top
#27353 - 05/05/04 02:39 PM Re: Hybrid vehicle rescue
Since2003 Offline
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 01/21/03
Posts: 2205
We have recieved many warnings about these at our department. I know someone with one, and we had a look at it. I'm not really sure what we're going to do if we have an extrication with one of these, it's tricky.

Top
#27354 - 05/05/04 04:53 PM Re: Hybrid vehicle rescue
Anonymous
Unregistered


Do the manufacturers have any suggestions?

Top
#27355 - 05/05/04 09:34 PM Re: Hybrid vehicle rescue
Eugene Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 12/26/02
Posts: 2998
There have been a couple threads on this before. I will put forth a couple ideas and preface them with the note that I am not an automotive engineer, but have a degree in electronic engineering and am a very handy person when it comes to things electric,electronic or mechanical.
#1 thought: batteries, even modern ones are heavy. I will make an educated guess that they are heaver than the engine in the car as I have removed an small iron block engine, disassembled, took to a machine shop, reassembled and reinstalled without the use of an engine hoist or stand or any big tools to help me and todays engines are more aluminum than iron. My laptop is 3.5lbs and if I pull the battery out it falls over backwards because the battery is most of the weight. My point is the battery box and mounts will need to be strong to support that weight so that area is likely to survive the crash pretty well.
#2 the motors produce a lot or torque and therefore require a strong frame to hold them in place which should also help keep the car intact.
#3 other high voltage or high current systems, HID lights for example, have safetys built in that shut them down when an impact is detected.
#4 race cars are required to have kill switches as near to the battery as possible and within reach or rescue personal, is it possible that the hybrid and electric car makershave installed a kill switch somewhere?
#5 the GM EV1 has been around for years and made a lot of news but I don't ever remember seeing or hearing any news about accident issues with them, I would think one or more would have had an accident at one time or another.

Top
#27356 - 05/06/04 12:22 AM Re: Hybrid vehicle rescue
Since2003 Offline
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 01/21/03
Posts: 2205
Eugene -
For the most part, hybrids have two battery systems, a basic 12v system to start the gas engine, and the large battery system to run the car. these large batteries are behind the rear seat. they are not as heavy as you'd think - nothing like a lead acid battery, however they are HUGE - like 3 feet wide, 1 foot deep and 2 feet high.

The frames are "standard" which is to say strong as can be, but I've seen plenty of high-speed wrecks that do great harm (even to a Volvo or a Saab).

There's no "cut-off" switch per a race car.

EV 1 didn't use the same high voltage technology.


Top



Moderator:  Alan_Romania, Blast, chaosmagnet, cliff 
July
Su M Tu W Th F Sa
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31
Who's Online
0 registered (), 234 Guests and 79 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
axotugoc, eprep, Aaron_Guinn, israfaceVity, Explorer9
5372 Registered Users
Newest Posts
New prep for our changing nation?
by pforeman
07/15/25 06:00 PM
Newest Images
Tiny knife / wrench
Handmade knives
2"x2" Glass Signal Mirror, Retroreflective Mesh
Trade School Tool Kit
My Pocket Kit
Glossary
Test

WARNING & DISCLAIMER: SELECT AND USE OUTDOORS AND SURVIVAL EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND TECHNIQUES AT YOUR OWN RISK. Information posted on this forum is not reviewed for accuracy and may not be reliable, use at your own risk. Please review the full WARNING & DISCLAIMER about information on this site.