EV Digest 5477
Topics covered in this issue include:
1) TdS Report #21: Exhibitor Profile: Starfire Systems
by [EMAIL PROTECTED]
2) TdS Report #22: Photos - Starfire Systems
by [EMAIL PROTECTED]
3) RE: Drill Bits for Plastics, Plexiglas, & Acyrlics
by Gnat <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
4) TdS Report #23: Exhibitor Profile: Roosevelt Island Hybrid Transit Bus
by [EMAIL PROTECTED]
5) TdS Report #24: Photos - Roosevelt Island Hybrid Transit Bus
by [EMAIL PROTECTED]
6) Re: Spare 1998 Chevrolet S-10???
by "Mike Phillips" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
7) Re: Drill Bits for Plastics, Plexiglas, & Acyrlics
by Jeff Shanab <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
8) Re: my own outlet
by Lee Hart <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
9) Re: what to do when it rains on your parade
by Lee Hart <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
10) Re: When it rains build rainbows
by "Roderick Wilde" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
11) Re: my own outlet
by Lee Hart <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
12) Re: Drill Bits for Plastics, Plexiglas, & Acyrlics
by "Ted C." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
13) TdS Report #25: Team Profile: Electrovaya maya-200
by [EMAIL PROTECTED]
14) TdS Report #26: Photos - Electrovaya maya-200
by [EMAIL PROTECTED]
15) Re: Comparison
by "steve clunn" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
16) Re: I need advice/ Making a GEM go farther and faster.
by "Lawrence Rhodes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
17) TdS Report #27: Monte Carlo Entrant: Hymotion
by [EMAIL PROTECTED]
18) TdS Report #28: Photos - Hymotion
by [EMAIL PROTECTED]
19) Re: Comparison
by "David McWethy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
20) TdS Report #29: Team Profile: Sunpacer
by [EMAIL PROTECTED]
21) TdS Report #30: Photos - Sunpacer
by [EMAIL PROTECTED]
22) Vacuum courtesy of the mercedes-diesel list.
by "Lawrence Rhodes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
23) TdS Report #31: Team Profile: Zodiac
by [EMAIL PROTECTED]
24) TdS Report #32: Photos - Zodiac
by [EMAIL PROTECTED]
--- Begin Message ---
TdS Report #21: Exhibitor Profile: Starfire Systems
Chad Rittershausen rode into the exhibit area on a 2001 Ducati Monster, painted
up with Starfire Systems and Starblade. I asked what this was all about. "I
do the riding of this bike, to test our Starblade product."
"Starblade is the name of the ceramic rotors in the disc brakes on this bike.
The ceramic brakes are about 1/3 the weight of a typical motorcycle rotor. The
brakes on the Chevy Tahoe behind us are about 1/3 the weight of the cast iron
original equipment. On the Tahoe, that saves 20 pounds of unsprung weight a
corner.
"On the motorcycle, the reduced weight makes it more nimble. The gyroscopic
forces on the tires are much less. Racers and normal street riders find that
leaning the bike becomes less effort and produces less fatigue. And the
braking performance exceeds the original equipment.
"The brake rotor is a composite ceramic part. The ceramic polymer part is a
liquid at room temperature. It is fired in a kiln to turn it into an amorphous
silicon carbide. The fabric reinforcement in the part is a traditional carbon
fiber, such as found in sporting equipment. The result is a very hard, very
durable ceramic.
"When braking, the brake pad, pressing against the spinning rotor, creates what
is called a `transfer film' that coats the surface of the rotor. The adhesion
of the transfer film to the rotor is what does the braking. That is why you
replace brake pads more often than rotors, because they are constantly
transferring this film. The wear on our rotors gives us 2 to 3 times the life
of cast iron which cuts down on maintenance. Because the rotors are harder and
don't wear as much, we can use a much more aggressive pad, which shortens
stopping distance." In fact, they have `negative fade'. As they get hotter
they grab the rotor a little bit more.
Do I need a special caliper? "No. We use the standard caliper that comes on
the bike."
"The motorcycle rotors are sold through a distributor in California,
BrakeTech."
The Chevy Tahoe is a test vehicle for a project with NYSERDA, the New York
State Environmental Research and Development Authority. "We are showing the
viability of this technology on larger vehicles, up to a city bus."
http://www.StarfireSystems.com
- - - -
The complete set of Tour de Sol Reports for 2006 can be found at:
http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2006
The complete set of past Tour de Sol Reports can be found at:
http://www.FovealSystems.com/Tour_de_Sol_Reports.html
- - - -
The above is Copyright 2006 by Michael H. Bianchi.
Permission to copy is granted provided the entire article is presented
without modification and this notice remains attached.
For other arrangements, contact me at +1-973-822-2085 .
- - - -
For more on the NESEA Tour de Sol, see the web page at
http://www.TourdeSol.org
- - - -
Official NESEA Tour de Sol information is available from the sponsor,
the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) at
413 774-6051 , and 50 Miles Street, Greenfield, MA 01301 , and
[EMAIL PROTECTED] . All media enquiries should be addressed to ...
Stef Komorowski
Classic Communications
508-698-6810
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
TdS Report #22: Photos - Starfire Systems
Photographs from the Tour de Sol:
http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2006/photos_009.html
Starfire Systems
Starblade ceramic brake rotors claim superior performance with reduced weight.
A Ducati Monster motorcycle used as the Starblade test vehicle.
The Chevy Tahoe, also used in testing.
Comparing the cast iron to the ceramic brake rotor.
Note that the iron rotor has cooling voids, where the ceramic rotor is solid.
- - - -
The complete set of Tour de Sol Reports for 2006 can be found at:
http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2006
The complete set of past Tour de Sol Reports can be found at:
http://www.FovealSystems.com/Tour_de_Sol_Reports.html
- - - -
The above is Copyright 2006 by Michael H. Bianchi.
Permission to copy is granted provided the entire article is presented
without modification and this notice remains attached.
For other arrangements, contact me at +1-973-822-2085 .
- - - -
For more on the NESEA Tour de Sol, see the web page at
http://www.TourdeSol.org
- - - -
Official NESEA Tour de Sol information is available from the sponsor,
the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) at
413 774-6051 , and 50 Miles Street, Greenfield, MA 01301 , and
[EMAIL PROTECTED] . All media enquiries should be addressed to ...
Stef Komorowski
Classic Communications
508-698-6810
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
In aircraft we use plexis windows and just use a drill bit that has
a different angle on the end. Nothing special to get or to regrind from
a standard bit.
Dave
> Polycarbonate can be cut/drilled/milled no problem, plexiglass is totally
> different: brittle, scratchable so need same special drill bit as
> glass with
> low speed
>
> cordialement,
> Philippe
>
> Et si le pot d'échappement sortait au centre du volant ?
> quel carburant choisiriez-vous ?
> http://vehiculeselectriques.free.fr
> Forum de discussion sur les véhicules électriques
> http://vehiculeselectriques.free.fr/Forum/index.php
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "sharkey" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: <ev@listproc.sjsu.edu>
> Sent: Saturday, May 13, 2006 11:53 AM
> Subject: Re: Drill Bits for Plastics, Plexiglas, & Acyrlics
>
>
> > Ryan Stotts wrote:
> > > Since I see a lot of plexi battery covers; I just wanted to let you
> > > know about this particular drill bit if you didn't already know of it:
> > >
> > > http://browntool.com/productselect.asp?ProductID=635
> >
> > I found that "spade" wood drills worked great for nice holes in
> > polycarbonate, and a cylindrical rotary rasp held in the drill press did
> > a great job of shaping / cleaning up the edges.
> >
> > But polycarbonate isn't necessarily much like plexiglass ...
> >
> > -----sharks
> >
>
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
TdS Report #23: Exhibitor Profile: Roosevelt Island Hybrid Transit Bus
Edwin Dominguez is a bus operator for the Roosevelt Island Operating
Corporation which runs 9 city transit buses on the island community between
Manhattan and Queens. Last February they took delivery of four Orion 7 diesel-
electric buses. "It is powered by a small Cummins engine, which drives a
generator that charges the batteries on the roof. One electric motor then
drives the bus."
The bus is 40 feet long, seats 42 people, and stands 30. "But sometimes we get
about 80 people in the bus."
"When I drive it, it is very quiet, very comfortable, and very smooth." The
driver's have a Recaro seat. "The climate control is great. In many ways it
is like a regular diesel bus, but more efficient. The riders are very
interested in the technology. `Is this all electric?' `Do you plug it in?'"
At this point Paul Chilkotowsky joined the conversation. "There is a battery
conditioner that can be used to charge the batteries." He is with Daimler-
Chrysler Commercial Buses North America at Orion Bus. BAE Systems is the other
partner in this enterprise. They provide the series hybrid propulsion system.
There is no transmission. The electric traction motor directly drives the rear
wheels through the differential.
Buddy Sadar is the technician for the bus. "This is improving our fuel
consumption and reducing emissions." The fuel economy on the bus is about 8
miles per gallon. On the regular bus they get about 5 or 4. "And engine
maintenance is easier. We also save on oil changes."
On Manhattan island, the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) has 325 Orion
hybrids of various vintages, and they expect another 500 Orion 7s.
- - - -
The complete set of Tour de Sol Reports for 2006 can be found at:
http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2006
The complete set of past Tour de Sol Reports can be found at:
http://www.FovealSystems.com/Tour_de_Sol_Reports.html
- - - -
The above is Copyright 2006 by Michael H. Bianchi.
Permission to copy is granted provided the entire article is presented
without modification and this notice remains attached.
For other arrangements, contact me at +1-973-822-2085 .
- - - -
For more on the NESEA Tour de Sol, see the web page at
http://www.TourdeSol.org
- - - -
Official NESEA Tour de Sol information is available from the sponsor,
the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) at
413 774-6051 , and 50 Miles Street, Greenfield, MA 01301 , and
[EMAIL PROTECTED] . All media enquiries should be addressed to ...
Stef Komorowski
Classic Communications
508-698-6810
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
TdS Report #24: Photos - Roosevelt Island Hybrid Transit Bus
Photographs from the Tour de Sol:
http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2006/photos_010.html
Roosevelt Island Hybrid Transit Bus
This was easily the biggest hybrid at the Tour de Sol this year.
The hybrid buses in service on Roosevelt Island are low-floor,
kneeling and wheelchair ramp equipped.
The box on the roof holds the batteries.
It still looks cramped, but the word is these buses are easier to work on.
The view inside, looking to the rear.
- - - -
The complete set of Tour de Sol Reports for 2006 can be found at:
http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2006
The complete set of past Tour de Sol Reports can be found at:
http://www.FovealSystems.com/Tour_de_Sol_Reports.html
- - - -
The above is Copyright 2006 by Michael H. Bianchi.
Permission to copy is granted provided the entire article is presented
without modification and this notice remains attached.
For other arrangements, contact me at +1-973-822-2085 .
- - - -
For more on the NESEA Tour de Sol, see the web page at
http://www.TourdeSol.org
- - - -
Official NESEA Tour de Sol information is available from the sponsor,
the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) at
413 774-6051 , and 50 Miles Street, Greenfield, MA 01301 , and
[EMAIL PROTECTED] . All media enquiries should be addressed to ...
Stef Komorowski
Classic Communications
508-698-6810
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
There is a mixture of two trucks in there. One apart and one together.
That's the GM S10 EV.
Mike
--- In [EMAIL PROTECTED], Cor van de Water <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Look at this (withdrawn) listing, in particular
> the bottom left picture. Is that a halfway dismantled S-10 as spare?
> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ4637039821
>
> BTW - the truck sold immediately via "BuyItNow" for 15,000 in the
relisting.
>
> Cor van de Water
> Systems Architect
> Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Private: http://www.cvandewater.com
> Skype: cor_van_de_water IM: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Tel: +1 408 542 5225 VoIP: +31 20 3987567 FWD# 25925
> Fax: +1 408 731 3675 eFAX: +31-87-784-1130
> Proxim Wirele****etworks eFAX: +1-610-423-5743
> Take your network further http://www.proxim.com
>
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Sharkey said ...But polycarbonate isn't necessarily much like plexiglass
...
I will second that, I work in plastics
Lexan is GE's tradename for polycarbonate
Plexiglass is Rohm & Haas's trade name for cast grade sheet acrylic
Lexan is very tough, but looses it's toughnees if exposed to greases, it
is used for safety glasses,bullet proof glass, etc. Drill and tap with
normal stuff, but watch what lubricant you use. I often grab a bottle of
409 or fantastic
Plexiglass is very brittle and the drill breaking thru ften shatters it,
so the pointed front drill with little web is designed to break thru
without a lot of down force and not pull itself thru. It also reduces
the attached chip on nylon and other plastics. We use 100s a year for
this reason on nylon wheel-chair wheels.
2 related items.
1) Vivak : it is Bayer's PETG product most known for it's use in 2
liter bottles
This stuff is very clear, tough, but
http://www.sheffieldplastics.com/web_docs/8248SHF_VI_DS.pdf
I am gonna use it to cover my batteries to keep poking hands from
getting zapped.
It is available in sheet form, I just got a quote from the local
"Precision Plastics" of $47.29 for a 4x8 sheet .062 thick and $71.75
.093 thick.
2) Ths monthes plastic technology magazine has an upgrade to their
earlier article
http://www.plasticstechnology.com/articles/200604fa1.html about the new
scratch resistant coating available for polcarbonate winshields and has
recieved approval to use them in cars. I don't think we are gonna see
the option to replace our glass in our conversions for a long time, but
loosing 50% of the glass weight would be nice in my conversion,
T-top,hatchback, and frameless doors make a lot of extra glass weight.
Europe first.
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Nick Austin wrote:
> Isn't it true that if you form a path from hot to neutral, then the
> GFCI won't trip? Igor would need to stick the fork from hot to
> ground to trip it, right?
That's correct. The GFCI won't trip for loads between hot and neutral.
But the circuit breaker that protects the outlet *would* trip if little
Igor shorted hot to neutral with a fork.
However, think about how unlikely this is. He would have to be strong
enough to bend a fork so it *fits* in both prongs at the same time. Even
if he did, he'd be rewarded with one fast ZAP! that occurs inside the
outlet, and then nothing. He wouldn't get a shock, or even get burned.
>> Outdoor AC outlets are *everywhere* around here. Every home, store,
>> and garage has them.
> I've noticed this too.
And the fact that I can't ever remember anyone being electrocuted by
fooling around with them should tell us something about their relative
safety. I'm sure it happens; but how often considering the billions of
AC receptacles in use?
--
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget the perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in -- Leonard Cohen
--
Lee A. Hart, 814 8th Ave N, Sartell MN 56377, leeahart_at_earthlink.net
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Ken Trough wrote:
>> We have just been informed by Rt. 66 Raceway that the NEDRA and AFV
>> Expo EVent on Saturday May 13, 2006 has been cancelled due to rain
>> and cold weather.
> Too bad a "plan B" was not in place. This has happened too many times
> in the past as well. Wicked Watts in Vegas was recently cancelled due
> to winds.
>
> I have suggested on the NEDRA discussion board that we plan some
> additional events surrounding the racing and weather dependent
> outdoor venues. That way when people dedicate significant resources
> and converge from all points on the map they will still have
> >something< EV related to do in the area. If the weather is nice
> then these extra EVents will draw even more participants and
> spectators to the races.
That's a good idea! I'm not into drag racing, but would be more likely
to come if there were other races (slalom, range competition), how-to
demonstrations, flea market, vendors showing their wares, etc. More like
a convention than a one-event gathering.
PS: For any of you still in the area, BEST will be holding our electric
car races on Saturday May 20 in Minneapolis MN at the Cooper High School
Athletic track. We have about a dozen teams of 4th-6th graders racing
their own go-kart sized EVs that they designed and built. There's a drag
race, a slalom, and an endurance race, as well as car show, how-to
talks, and other events. It's free to all interested parties. See
www.bestoutreach.com for more information!
PPS: In case of rain, we wiil move to the *INDOOR* 1/8 mile track in the
Becker MN Middle School. One good thing about EVs is that we can race
indoors as well as outside :-)
--
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget the perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in -- Leonard Cohen
--
Lee A. Hart, 814 8th Ave N, Sartell MN 56377, leeahart_at_earthlink.net
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
I just spoke to John and he is at breakfast at Bob Evan's restaurant in
Joliette right now with about 40 other hungry ampheads from around the
country. They are in the process of figuring out where to go race. So many
tracks in the Midwest are rained out right now. They are considering Union
Grove, Wisconsin. I will keep you posted when I know more.
Roderick
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Westlund" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <ev@listproc.sjsu.edu>
Sent: Saturday, May 13, 2006 12:37 AM
Subject: Re: When it rains build rainbows
Normally, I'd have left out right about now, but the
cancellation put a stop to that. I'm waiting for John
Wayland to post details on where he's going to make his 1/4
mile passes at. I doubt he'll be going to Chicago now. He
came to the midwest to race. I will need to know in advance
where he will be at so I can make the trip, otherwise, I'll
just have to meet some of the nation's most skilled EVer's
another day.
I have no idea who will be going to that impromptu car show,
considering it was announced so late.
This is unfortunate. I've been looking forward to meeting
John, Marko, Jim, and others in person for months!
Mike Phillips wrote:
I just hung up with the guys in Illinois. I understand
there is some new info about what can still happen at
the event at this url:
http://www.fveaa.org/
--
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--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
>> Any breaker will trip if Igor shorts the hot and neutral with a
>> fork
Nick Austin wrote:
> Would it trip quickly enough to save Igor? 240V at 50A can make
> quite a jolt.
Yes indeed! However, the current isn't flowing in Igor; it's flowing in
the fork. The ends of the fork and the contacts in the receptacle will
be burned, but essentially no current flows in Igor. The even will
happen so fast that the fork won't even get warm (except at the very
tips that made contact).
--
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget the perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in -- Leonard Cohen
--
Lee A. Hart, 814 8th Ave N, Sartell MN 56377, leeahart_at_earthlink.net
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
When I got some Plexiglas from a local glass shop and he told the trick to
drilling it with out cracking it. Take an old drill bit and file the cutting
edge off so it is a flat vertical edge. When drilling with a normal drill
bit the chisel edge of a drill bit pulls the bit into the Plexiglas to fast.
hence causing the cracking.
The other option that I use most often is a uni-bit or step bit (
http://tinyurl.com/j2f2k ). They are a little pricey if you just going to
drill a couple of holes. But if you are drilling holes that are larger then
a normal set of drill bits have, they are priceless. I'm always using them
for work.
Ted
Olympia, WA
N47 02.743 W122 53.772
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ryan Stotts" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <ev@listproc.sjsu.edu>
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2006 4:25 PM
Subject: Drill Bits for Plastics, Plexiglas, & Acyrlics
Since I see a lot of plexi battery covers; I just wanted to let you
know about this particular drill bit if you didn't already know of it:
http://browntool.com/productselect.asp?ProductID=635
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
TdS Report #25: Team Profile: Electrovaya maya-200
The promise of Lithium Ion batteries in electric vehicles has been a long time
coming to fruition, but Electrovaya has brought a battery-electric Smart car to
the press event. It uses their Lithium Ion SuperPolymer technology, mounted in
in a 30 kiloWatt hour pack under the floor, to drive the vehicle.
Sankar Das Gupta is the President and CEO of Electrovaya in Ontario Canada. He
brought me up to date with their news. "We have developed this car for the
Norwegian market. Norway has the most progressive zero-emission vehicle
regulations on the planet."
The base vehicle is a Smart fortwo. "It is a zippy little car that should
deliver 300 kilometers. It accelerates like mad. Highway driving is not a
problem. It's a great car.
"The market launch was in Norway in October 2005. It is just now going on sale
in Norway in conjunction with Miljobil Grenland and the Norsk Hydro Group. This
particular model is _not_ for sale in the US, but it is in Canada. Our focus,
however is on Norway.
If I remember correctly, when the Smart car was introduced in Europe there was
talk of an EV version and a claim that it would be easy to adapt to pure-
electric drive. "They had left quite a bit of room below the floor for the
battery. But we needed to add a motor, motor controller and on-board charger,"
which required some fitting.
"Our initial production will be in Toronto, but our plans are to move it to
Posgrunn in southern Norway."
Emissions None
Transmission Direct Drive
Battery 30 kWh SuperPolymer
Curb Weight 800 kg
Range up to 250 - 300 km
Operating Costs 85% less than an internal combustion engine
Top Speed up to 120 km/h
Motor DC with 400 Nm
No modifications to the chassis or passenger compartment.
- - - -
The complete set of Tour de Sol Reports for 2006 can be found at:
http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2006
The complete set of past Tour de Sol Reports can be found at:
http://www.FovealSystems.com/Tour_de_Sol_Reports.html
- - - -
The above is Copyright 2006 by Michael H. Bianchi.
Permission to copy is granted provided the entire article is presented
without modification and this notice remains attached.
For other arrangements, contact me at +1-973-822-2085 .
- - - -
For more on the NESEA Tour de Sol, see the web page at
http://www.TourdeSol.org
- - - -
Official NESEA Tour de Sol information is available from the sponsor,
the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) at
413 774-6051 , and 50 Miles Street, Greenfield, MA 01301 , and
[EMAIL PROTECTED] . All media enquiries should be addressed to ...
Stef Komorowski
Classic Communications
508-698-6810
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
TdS Report #26: Photos - Electrovaya maya-200
Photographs from the Tour de Sol:
http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2006/photos_011.html
Electrovaya maya-200
Soon to be seen on the roads of Norway ...
text for this photo
text for this photo
- - - -
The complete set of Tour de Sol Reports for 2006 can be found at:
http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2006
The complete set of past Tour de Sol Reports can be found at:
http://www.FovealSystems.com/Tour_de_Sol_Reports.html
- - - -
The above is Copyright 2006 by Michael H. Bianchi.
Permission to copy is granted provided the entire article is presented
without modification and this notice remains attached.
For other arrangements, contact me at +1-973-822-2085 .
- - - -
For more on the NESEA Tour de Sol, see the web page at
http://www.TourdeSol.org
- - - -
Official NESEA Tour de Sol information is available from the sponsor,
the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) at
413 774-6051 , and 50 Miles Street, Greenfield, MA 01301 , and
[EMAIL PROTECTED] . All media enquiries should be addressed to ...
Stef Komorowski
Classic Communications
508-698-6810
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gnat" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Ev List" <ev@listproc.sjsu.edu>
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2006 7:34 PM
Subject: Comparison
Hi
Just wondering if someone can help me with this.
I was asked by a friend to compare just how efficient
a EV is compared to a ice vehicle.
When I want to make EV's look good , I say " how many acres would it take to
grow the bio mass to make one gallon of gas in one day ?" . Most have no
idea and I don't either , but we agree its big ! " Then I say " with a
small car port covered with solar panels I can get enough power to do the
work of one gallon of gas, a one gallon a day oil well and refinery in your
back yard , all for about 20k :-) " .
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Check your motor and controller temperature when doing something like
putting larger diameter tires on your GEM to make it go faster. There will
be a bigger load on them, especially uphill, making them likely to burn
out.
Can you add a blower on a GEM motor, or are they sealed? Does the
controller
have a heat sink & or a fan? Been a while since I've seen a GEM.
For some reason using B381's this doesn't seem to be an issue. But since I
haven't done long term test I can't be sure. We'd have to go to the source
to find out. Lawrence Rhodes........
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
TdS Report #27: Monte Carlo Entrant: Hymotion
The idea of the plugin hybrid has gone from Wha? to Wow! in the past few
months, even though we have seen variations on the theme as TdS entrants for
some years. What was once experimental is on the cusp of becoming commercial.
Hymotion of Concord, Ontario Canada, has a modification to a Toyota Prius that
sits below the cargo area in the rear. Ricardo Dazzarella told me about the
Plug-in Hybrid System, Toyota Prius L5 Lithium Power product. "We install a
kit that has a 5 kiloWatt-hour battery pack to supplement the original battery.
It should take less than two hours to install. It is a drop-in system.
Everything is inside the box. The battery level display on the Prius will show
the Hymotion battery state of charge until the Hymotion battery is discharged.
Then the display shows the car's built-in battery state of charge.
"We are seeing 30 miles (50 kilometers) of purely electric range at about 35
miles per hour." The engine kicks in if you go faster, but the battery
contributes a lot. When plugged in, an interlock prevents the vehicle from
moving.
"As I said, everything is inside the one box: the batteries, charger, battery
monitoring, electronic control unit (the main brain of the module), a crash
sensor and a safety switch when the module needs to be worked on. It weighs 72
kilograms.
"The battery is lithium ion. We haven't disclosed our battery supplier yet.
We will do that very shortly.
"We are selling these to governments, fleets and power companies. We are doing
a slow deployment to collect data in demonstration projects. This summer we
planning to collect data from a crash vehicle. In 4 to 6 months we plan to
begin selling to the early adopters who have put their names on our web site.
"Our published price right now is $12,000, but we want to get the price down
below $10,000 before we sell to the public.
"Two vehicles are on the road doing testing. We have 10 that will ship soon to
our early industrial and governmental customers.
"We will be selling through dealers trained in doing our installations."
I had not heard of this until the Tour. "We started our company in June 2005.
We were running under the radar until we announced at the Detroit Auto Show in
February."
A model for the Ford Escape Hybrid is also in the works. Will there be one for
the Hybrid Camry? "That is the next one."
http://www.Hymotion.com
- - - -
The complete set of Tour de Sol Reports for 2006 can be found at:
http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2006
The complete set of past Tour de Sol Reports can be found at:
http://www.FovealSystems.com/Tour_de_Sol_Reports.html
- - - -
The above is Copyright 2006 by Michael H. Bianchi.
Permission to copy is granted provided the entire article is presented
without modification and this notice remains attached.
For other arrangements, contact me at +1-973-822-2085 .
- - - -
For more on the NESEA Tour de Sol, see the web page at
http://www.TourdeSol.org
- - - -
Official NESEA Tour de Sol information is available from the sponsor,
the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) at
413 774-6051 , and 50 Miles Street, Greenfield, MA 01301 , and
[EMAIL PROTECTED] . All media enquiries should be addressed to ...
Stef Komorowski
Classic Communications
508-698-6810
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
TdS Report #28: Photos - Hymotion
Photographs from the Tour de Sol:
http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2006/photos_012.html
Hymotion
Can a Prius be turned into a Plug-In Prius in two hours?
It just might be possible.
The all-in-one unit fits neatly in the spare tire well and storage area under
the rear deck cover.
- - - -
The complete set of Tour de Sol Reports for 2006 can be found at:
http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2006
The complete set of past Tour de Sol Reports can be found at:
http://www.FovealSystems.com/Tour_de_Sol_Reports.html
- - - -
The above is Copyright 2006 by Michael H. Bianchi.
Permission to copy is granted provided the entire article is presented
without modification and this notice remains attached.
For other arrangements, contact me at +1-973-822-2085 .
- - - -
For more on the NESEA Tour de Sol, see the web page at
http://www.TourdeSol.org
- - - -
Official NESEA Tour de Sol information is available from the sponsor,
the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) at
413 774-6051 , and 50 Miles Street, Greenfield, MA 01301 , and
[EMAIL PROTECTED] . All media enquiries should be addressed to ...
Stef Komorowski
Classic Communications
508-698-6810
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
I find when I am talking with people, they look at the wrong things when
comparing. I figured this out from my own use. I do all 1 mile round trips
in a conversion. They want to know range and how it compares with gas cost.
Range doesn't matter, because 2 mile trips are not a challenge. Comparison
of gas cost is not the issue of cost. The real cost in my case is wear and
tear on an ICE engine. I have gone 900 miles since November, which means
almost 900 times I didn't start my ICE and run one mile, never warming it
up. What proportion of a car's life is in 900 cold starts/cold runs? That
is the real cost issue. Because of that, the EV is a terrific economic
success for me.
Dave
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
TdS Report #29: Team Profile: Sunpacer
The Sunpacer is _the_ solar electric car from Cato-Meridian High School in Cato
New York. I asked student T. K. Hayden to tell me about it.
"This is it's fourteenth Tour de Sol. It started in 1992." Where you alive in
'92? "I was 2. It has gone through a lot of changes. It has low drag front
wheels and suspension. It started with big, bulky, heavy solar panels in the
back and huge lead-oxide batteries. Over time we have refined it and made it
better. Now we use model kit solar panels (like those used in the Junior Solar
Sprint cars) which saved a tone of weight over the old ones. We have some of
the old panels that we use for additional charging." They set them up next to
the vehicle when it is parked. "We now have Ovonic nickel metal hydride
batteries in a 56 Volt pack.
"This year we got a new driver's seat. We made it ourself. Matt Tucker is
about 6 foot 6 and didn't fit in very well, so we made this one adjustable.
Tucker is the only one with both his license and his motorcycle permit. The
rest of us only have our permit.
"We also have a new battery system. We had 8 batteries last year, but had a
partial thermal runaway. Now we only have 4 batteries, which dropped some
weight.
"Our display board tells the story of the car. Solar cells and how they work.
Our sponsors are recognized. Then we go through the car, from the beginning:
frame, suspension, hydraulic brake system, the wheels, tires, everything.
"We took the side off so you can look in. The interior is very open, very
available, and easy to work on."
- - - -
The complete set of Tour de Sol Reports for 2006 can be found at:
http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2006
The complete set of past Tour de Sol Reports can be found at:
http://www.FovealSystems.com/Tour_de_Sol_Reports.html
- - - -
The above is Copyright 2006 by Michael H. Bianchi.
Permission to copy is granted provided the entire article is presented
without modification and this notice remains attached.
For other arrangements, contact me at +1-973-822-2085 .
- - - -
For more on the NESEA Tour de Sol, see the web page at
http://www.TourdeSol.org
- - - -
Official NESEA Tour de Sol information is available from the sponsor,
the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) at
413 774-6051 , and 50 Miles Street, Greenfield, MA 01301 , and
[EMAIL PROTECTED] . All media enquiries should be addressed to ...
Stef Komorowski
Classic Communications
508-698-6810
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
TdS Report #30: Photos - Sunpacer
Photographs from the Tour de Sol:
http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2006/photos_013.html
Sunpacer
This has been a vehicle with staying power,
in the Tour de Sol since 1992.
I just noticed the overhead rear view mirror, mounted top-center on the
windshield.
Opened up for service.
Notice that the older solar panels can be stored below the back array.
A Tour de Sol rule allows solar vehicles to use extra panels for charging when
stopped provided they are carried by the vehicle during the event.
If you've built a Junior Solar Sprint car, you might recognize these solar
cells.
Here you can see the sort of stress the wheels are subjected to during the
"cone test" that evaluates the vehicle's handling.
- - - -
The complete set of Tour de Sol Reports for 2006 can be found at:
http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2006
The complete set of past Tour de Sol Reports can be found at:
http://www.FovealSystems.com/Tour_de_Sol_Reports.html
- - - -
The above is Copyright 2006 by Michael H. Bianchi.
Permission to copy is granted provided the entire article is presented
without modification and this notice remains attached.
For other arrangements, contact me at +1-973-822-2085 .
- - - -
For more on the NESEA Tour de Sol, see the web page at
http://www.TourdeSol.org
- - - -
Official NESEA Tour de Sol information is available from the sponsor,
the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) at
413 774-6051 , and 50 Miles Street, Greenfield, MA 01301 , and
[EMAIL PROTECTED] . All media enquiries should be addressed to ...
Stef Komorowski
Classic Communications
508-698-6810
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Might this idea work for EV's? LR........
Guys:
With all the positive regards to the mighty-vac on this list I may
be opening
up myself to flaming for saying this. But I don't own a mighty vac
and probably
never will. Here's why - There are a lot of old dead refrigerators
and window
air conditioners out there just waiting to be disassembled and
used for
generating vacuums. And that is what I did several years ago. In
fact it was
not only a cheap and plentifull source of vacuum, but it was my
first
compressor as well. Oh sure, you have to keep putting some light
oil in the
intake tube every once in a while. But I never got a tired hand
trying to
generate a vacuum. And for light compressor work it's not bad.
Those things can
put out a couple hundred psi if they have to. I keep mine in the
corner of my
workbench and just run 20 or so feet of vacuum hose to wherever I
need it. And
with a storage tank (maybe from off an old MB) and the proper
vacuum operated
switch, I could make it run as-needed just like my compressor.
just my $0.02
Bogy.
Lawrence Rhodes
Bassoon/Contrabassoon
Reedmaker
Book 4/5 doubler
Electric Vehicle & Solar Power Advocate
Vegetable Oil Car.
415-821-3519
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
TdS Report #31: Team Profile: Zodiac
The West Irondequoit Solar Car Team has been bringing Zodiac to the Tour since
2000. The Zodiac and Sunpacer to a large extent compete head-to-head. They
are both 3-wheeled, light, single-person, solar-electric vehicles. (But this
may be the last year that happens. See below.)
Sean Harriman listed this year's improvements. "We have new gel-cell batteries
in our 60 Volt, 10 block pack. We went down a size. They are more compact.
And it's a gel form so there is less leakage, so there is less electricity
leaking to the frame.
"The motor is the same, but we changed the gear ratio to give us more torque."
They spend a month or so before the Tour we prep and ready the car. But most
of the time they work on the Mini Cooper.
"Mini Cooper project has been going on for about 2 years. We built the frame
and we are building the body now. We plan to make it into another solar
electric car."
This is not a restoration. They designed and built the frame from scratch.
They are currently making a mold off an original Mini Cooper body, but then we
they will make their own body out of fiberglass.
"The suspension is from a Mazda Miata. It would have taken too much time to
figure out the suspension ourselves. The frame is mostly complete. We the
seats in and the brake systems are done.
"We have about 15 people on the team. Meetings are every Monday night, 6 to
8:30 and about 7 people show up. We just work on the car.
"We have funding from many organizations. All of our sponsors are listed at
our website."
http://www.IHSTechTeam.com
- - - -
The complete set of Tour de Sol Reports for 2006 can be found at:
http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2006
The complete set of past Tour de Sol Reports can be found at:
http://www.FovealSystems.com/Tour_de_Sol_Reports.html
- - - -
The above is Copyright 2006 by Michael H. Bianchi.
Permission to copy is granted provided the entire article is presented
without modification and this notice remains attached.
For other arrangements, contact me at +1-973-822-2085 .
- - - -
For more on the NESEA Tour de Sol, see the web page at
http://www.TourdeSol.org
- - - -
Official NESEA Tour de Sol information is available from the sponsor,
the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) at
413 774-6051 , and 50 Miles Street, Greenfield, MA 01301 , and
[EMAIL PROTECTED] . All media enquiries should be addressed to ...
Stef Komorowski
Classic Communications
508-698-6810
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
TdS Report #32: Photos - Zodiac
Photographs from the Tour de Sol:
http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2006/photos_014.html
Zodiac
Zodiac is ready to start the hill-climb test.
The little window below the Peak Performance logo lets the driver see the nose
of the car and the road immediately in front of it.
The motor is mounted directly above the rear wheel, driven by a chain.
With the side off you can see some of the batteries (with the yellow tops).
The solar teams are particularly popular when the students visit, especially if
they have been to the Junior Solar Sprints.
- - - -
The complete set of Tour de Sol Reports for 2006 can be found at:
http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2006
The complete set of past Tour de Sol Reports can be found at:
http://www.FovealSystems.com/Tour_de_Sol_Reports.html
- - - -
The above is Copyright 2006 by Michael H. Bianchi.
Permission to copy is granted provided the entire article is presented
without modification and this notice remains attached.
For other arrangements, contact me at +1-973-822-2085 .
- - - -
For more on the NESEA Tour de Sol, see the web page at
http://www.TourdeSol.org
- - - -
Official NESEA Tour de Sol information is available from the sponsor,
the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) at
413 774-6051 , and 50 Miles Street, Greenfield, MA 01301 , and
[EMAIL PROTECTED] . All media enquiries should be addressed to ...
Stef Komorowski
Classic Communications
508-698-6810
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
--- End Message ---
