Evacuated Solar tube, steam, turbine, Nissan Leaf drivetrain, electricity?

Geo NR Gee · 08-10-18, 03:33 PM

Another hair brained idea? I heard that phrase in my youth and wondered what it meant. Don't know if it was ever directed at me or something my dad would say about someone else's ideas.

In my garage....
160 evacuated solar tube collectors
Lots of well insulated steel and copper piping
Complete Nissan Leaf drivetrain and traction battery

While I was thinking what to do with the recently acquired Nissan Leaf drivetrain, I wondered if the evacuated tubes could supply enough heat to produce steam and drive a turbine that would turn the Leaf motor ( in regeneration mode) to recharge the Leaf 24 kWh traction battery for use to power my home?

Thoughts?

Geo NR Gee · 08-10-18, 07:24 PM

One issue might be with the evacuated tubes themselves. I recall that they have a temperature limitation safety device that limits the temperature to 194*F or 90*C (residential) and 135*C or 275* (commercial) which I am not sure what I have, so that will have to be tested.

randen · 08-11-18, 06:17 AM

The Nissan drive would re-power a Chevy really nicely and 14 panels to charge it

Randen

Geo NR Gee · 08-11-18, 04:33 PM

I bet it would. There were thoughts of powering a 1970 Buick Skylark that I have sitting around. Seems like the original battery pack would fit between the frame and the rest of the drivetrain would snuggle right in. But, I can imagine that it would also take me years to complete with lots of help from my friends and family!

Am I getting lazy in my old age?

08-10-18, 03:33 PM	#1
Geo NR Gee Journeyman EcoRenovator Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Seattle Posts: 326 Thanks: 109 Thanked 23 Times in 18 Posts	Evacuated Solar tube, steam, turbine, Nissan Leaf drivetrain, electricity? Another hair brained idea? I heard that phrase in my youth and wondered what it meant. Don't know if it was ever directed at me or something my dad would say about someone else's ideas. In my garage.... 160 evacuated solar tube collectors Lots of well insulated steel and copper piping Complete Nissan Leaf drivetrain and traction battery While I was thinking what to do with the recently acquired Nissan Leaf drivetrain, I wondered if the evacuated tubes could supply enough heat to produce steam and drive a turbine that would turn the Leaf motor ( in regeneration mode) to recharge the Leaf 24 kWh traction battery for use to power my home? Thoughts?

08-10-18, 07:24 PM	#2
Geo NR Gee Journeyman EcoRenovator Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Seattle Posts: 326 Thanks: 109 Thanked 23 Times in 18 Posts	One issue might be with the evacuated tubes themselves. I recall that they have a temperature limitation safety device that limits the temperature to 194F or 90C (residential) and 135C or 275 (commercial) which I am not sure what I have, so that will have to be tested.

08-11-18, 06:17 AM	#3
randen Uber EcoRenovator Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Strathroy Ontario Canada Posts: 657 Thanks: 9 Thanked 191 Times in 129 Posts	The Nissan drive would re-power a Chevy really nicely and 14 panels to charge it Randen

08-11-18, 04:33 PM	#4
Geo NR Gee Journeyman EcoRenovator Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Seattle Posts: 326 Thanks: 109 Thanked 23 Times in 18 Posts	I bet it would. There were thoughts of powering a 1970 Buick Skylark that I have sitting around. Seems like the original battery pack would fit between the frame and the rest of the drivetrain would snuggle right in. But, I can imagine that it would also take me years to complete with lots of help from my friends and family! Am I getting lazy in my old age?