Break Energy Regeneration

[BMWLCH]

Hey GuysJust got my E90 323i recently. The unit came with a fuel saving technology called Brake Energy Regeneration (BER). There is no indicator showing if the BER is activated or not. How do i know if the BER is on or ever existed ?Thanks in advance.

 

[ALBundy]

It is possible that there is no indicator for BER in the E90 as the initial E90 was not design with BER. However, on the F10 there is a red and blue indicator column that indicates when BER is working and the battery is being charged (blue column).

 

[astroboy]

Wah! E90 so advance ka? For BER to work, there should be a battery in the transmission to store energy and a mechanism to release it back into the transmission.. and I know E90 LCI uses GM transmission box, so this gear box must be very different then.

BMWLCH, can we have your last 7 digits of the chassis number? We try to locate the parts used in your car and clear your/our doubt.

 

[ALBundy]

Latest versions such as 320d, 323 and 325 sport do have BER. Prior to this only the M3 has it. With BER, fuel consumption is reduced by 0.5l/100km.

 

[ALBundy]

Wah! E90 so advance ka? For BER to work, there should be a battery in the transmission to store energy and a mechanism to release it back into the transmission.. and I know E90 LCI uses GM transmission box, so this gear box must be very different then.

BMWLCH, can we have your last 7 digits of the chassis number? We try to locate the parts used in your car and clear your/our doubt.

Actually there is a dynamo type of device at the callipers and when car is under braking these dynamos will be charging the battery and hence the alternator will only be engaged when needed.

This will reduce parasitic losses.

 

[Schwepps]

So it's not a kinetic system then, just charges the normal battery. BTW, can someone change the thread title? Embarrassing to spell brakes as 'breaks' in a thread title.

 

[ALBundy]

Well in a way kinetic energy is converted into electricity.

Williams F1 has a design that utilises the flywheel instead of brakes, should be interesting in the coming f1 season.

 

[Schwepps]

I mean Kinetic Energy Recovery System, as in stores the energy and can return it to the drive wheels.

 

[ALBundy]

Oh that will require a separate electric motor aka hybrid cars like prius and insight.

However there were rumours that KERS maybe employed in future ///M cars which I doubt so.

 

[morrogan]

This BER can reduce brake efficiency? as the callipers now connected to a movable part....instead on a rigid spot.

 

[ALBundy]

No it does not affect the braking efficiency nor compromise the safety aspect of the car as the callipers are still mounted on the spindle/knuckle via 2 big bolts.