EV Digest 2566
Topics covered in this issue include:
1) Re: light-wieght alternators
by Victor Tikhonov <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
2) RE: 75Ah Optima
by "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
3) A.C. relays
by "Richard Millhouse" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
4) EVLN(Barry's King High EV competition makes physics fun)
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
5) EVLN(ZAP Packs Extra Juice Into Viento Motorbike)
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
6) EVLN(LG Chem's ER2 EV for Chinese market)
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
7) EVLN(PEI Hybrid HMMWV Contract)
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
8) EVLN(%GM's Garter Belt Hybrid%)
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
9) EVLN(We got a damn big Electric ...)-long
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
10) EVLN(Segway stiffs Santa Cruz for Disney)-LONG
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
11) EVLN(Miramar HS 93 Ford Probe EV)
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
12) EVLN(QuiQ nEV battery charger)
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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Rod Hower wrote:
>
> That motor is water or oil cooled?
Water or 50/50 water/ethylene glycol, regular engine antifreeze
> Do you have physical dimensions?
On the site:
Metric: http://www.metricmind.com/line_art/acw-80-4size.gif
Imperial: http://www.metricmind.com/line_art/acw-80-4sizea.gif
> What type of magnets are used?
Don't know, can ask.
> Thanks,
> Rod
Victor
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--- Begin Message ---
At 03:13 PM 1/30/03, you wrote:
Anyone know what the AH rating at C/1 would be? Knowing that it's 75
AH at C/20 doesn't give me enough information to know if I should get this
battery.
They are very close to one and one half times the Optima YT specs.
Weight, A-hrs, Cost, CCA, Max current, etc.
JCI revamped the production line and got it running smoothly. The
original line was not well designed. That is why Optima halted production
on the 31's, way back when. Optima did not want to bite the bullet and
re-design the line, but JCI saw the juicy market for the Group 31. JCI also
did not have the political baggage of having to eat crow about the original
bad design of the production line.
I guess some good has come out of the take-over of Optima by JCI. :^)
_ /| Bill "Wisenheimer" Dube'
\'o.O' <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
=(___)=
U
Check out the bike -> http://www.KillaCycle.com
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* LP8.2: HTML/Attachments detected, removed from message *
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EVLN(Barry's King High EV competition makes physics fun)
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http://www.pe.com/localnews/riverside/stories/PE_NEWS_nrcars18.a2147.html
Racing for education
Students apply physics to build electric-power minicars
01/18/2003 By MARIA T. GARCIA THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE
RIVERSIDE - The electric vehicles resemble "BattleBots," but
the aim of Friday's competition wasn't smashing opponents'
creations to pieces, as in the popular TV show.
Instead, King High students raced their homemade model-size
cars to demonstrate physics concepts such as speed, velocity
and acceleration as part of the school's Electric Motor King
of the Hill competition. Started by physics teacher Reno
Barry, the contest allows students to show what they've
learned in lectures.
While the ideas behind the design of the cars were complex,
for junior Stacie Gonzalez it came down to one simple thing:
energy. With its metal body and rubber wheels, her car was
seen as a tough contender. That is, until the battery died
and the car stalled.
Stacie Gonzalez, 16, watches her team's entry get upended in
an electric-car race for a physics class at Riverside's King
High School.
Stacie and her two teammates had overcome other obstacles
before the lunchtime competition. Someone -- a fellow
competitor, she suspects -- ripped the wires out of her
electric car, rendering it useless, she said. Stacie
scrambled to get the car working again before the batteries
ran out of juice.
Her car came in second place, losing to a black car dubbed
"el animal." Juniors Abe Cordova, Nathan Jenkins and Robert
Corneby crafted the winning car.
During the race, the three bragged that "our weapon is
speed." They chose the Spanish nickname because they thought
it sounded exotic and intimidating.
For Stacie, one of a few girls competing, it wasn't all
about winning.
"I got to learn about applied kinetic energy," Stacie said.
"Now I know how energy works."
That's what Barry wanted to hear. He started the
electric-vehicle competition years back when he taught
physics at Poly High School. The races have since become
popular at King High, where Barry still hopes to make
physics fun.
"They're not just sitting down doing equations," Barry said.
"Physics would be intimidating if all we did was
equations."
Reach Maria T. Garcia at (909) 368-9455 or [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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EVLN(ZAP Packs Extra Juice Into Viento Motorbike)
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http://money.iwon.com/jsp/nw/nwdt_ge.jsp?cat=PRRELEASE&src=105&feed=cmt§ion=news&news_id=cmt-021p9187&date=20030121&alias=/alias/money/cm/nw
ZAP Packs Extra Juice Into New Viento(R) Motorbike
Tuesday January 21, 8:35 AM EST
SEBASTOPOL, Calif., Jan 21, 2003 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --
Just when you thought you've seen everything in electronic
transportation, along comes a breath of fresh air with the
new ZAP Viento(R) motorbike available from ZAP (OTC Bulletin
Board: ZAPZ).
ZAP announced today that it will now be offering the new
moped-class ZAP Viento(R) motorbike to auto dealers under an
agreement with The Electric Cycle Company (TECC). ZAP, who
pioneered the market for electric bicycles and stand- on
scooters, is partnering with TECC to turn up the voltage and
performance on the new bike, a 36-volt, 2-wheeler that
compares in performance to scooters that run on gasoline,
but with the silence and exhilaration of electronic
propulsion. ZAP and TECC debuted the new ZAP Viento to the
media on January 9 at the International Consumer Electronics
Show in Las Vegas where ZAP was selected by TechTV as a
finalist for the "Best of CES."
According to ZAP, the performance of the Viento will excite
the senses, representing years of design, engineering and
innovation as well as a passion for setting the new standard
in electric vehicle (EV) performance. The Viento sports a
top-speed up to 30 MPH and a range up to 50 miles per
charge. With room for two, the Viento will be the vehicle of
choice for thrill-seekers and commuters alike, sporting
advances in EV design like belt-driven transmission and new
technology like GPS-controlled navigation.
The Viento offers a new sensation to sport riders because
the electronic drive train is vibration-free and has no
shifting compared to internal combustion vehicles. Together
with the belt-driven transmission and the suspension, the
acceleration of the ZAP Viento offers a sensation that has
no comparison in power sports. With zero-emissions and
fueling costs of only 25 cents per charge, the ZAP Viento
helps the environment while saving you money.
The secret of the Viento's performance is its unique design.
The 200- pound motorbike features an original equipment
manufactured construction that minimizes weight while
creating a low-center of gravity. At the same time, the bike
delivers an acceleration of 0 to 25 MPH in 4 seconds. The
Viento includes all the features of conventional scooters
and meets all federal Department of Transportation standards
for safety and comes with a one year limited warranty.
ZAP is a publicly owned California Corporation. For
purchasing information, visit http://www.zapworld.com or
call 800-251-4555. SOURCE ZAP CONTACT: Alex Campbell of
ZAP, +1-707-824-4150, ext. 241 URL: http://www.zapworld.com
http://www.prnewswire.com Copyright (C) 2003 PR Newswire.
All rights reserved. News provided by Comtex.
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EVLN(LG Chem's ER2 EV for Chinese market)
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http://www.manufacturing.net/index.asp?layout=articlePortal_v2&articleId=NEa0114437.6iw&vertical=News&verticalid=486&industry=Top+Stories&industryid=1922
LG Chem seeks top market share; Sales of PVC, ABS, EP in
China set Financial Times Limited, All Rights
ReservedJanuary 16, 2003 12:00am
The Korea Herald via NewsEdge Corporation : 01/15/2003
By Yoo Cheong-mo Staff reporter
LG Chem has recently unveiled an ambitious expansion plan
for the Chinese market, vowing to build a second
headquarters in the neighboring country.
[...]
Last June, LG Chem said that its electric vehicle ER2,
powered by the company's cutting edge lithium-ion polymer
battery technology, set a new world record for electric
vehicles in U.S. Pike Peak International Hill Climb auto
rally. LG's R&D spending for the chemical businesses will
rise by 23 percent to 270 billion won, with 90 percent of
them, or 240 billion won, going to rechargeable batteries,
display materials, life sciences, high value-added
petrochemicals and high-function industrial materials. In
particular, the group will set up a separate R&D task force
in a bid to develop leading technologies in new emerging
business fields, such as environment, biotechnology and
optical electronics.
LG Group Chairman Koo Bon-moo has repeatedly expressed his
strong commitment to the intensive fostering of the group's
information, electronics and optical materials businesses,
such as rechargeable batteries and display components.
In the field of TFT-LCD polarizers, LG Chem is planning to
set up a fourth-generation production line in Korea, China
or Taiwan by the end of 2004, while doubling its output
capacity for rechargeable batteries to 7 million cells a
month by the end of the first half of 2003. By 2005, the
monthly battery output will again expand to 15 million
cells, turning LG Chem into the world's big three players in
battery industry. ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
Copyright 2003. All Rights Reserved. Financial Times
Information Limited - Asia Africa Intelligence Wire <<The
Korea Herald -- 01/15/03>> << Copyright �2003 Financial
Times Limited, All Rights Reserved >>
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EVLN(PEI Hybrid HMMWV Contract)
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http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/category/industryarticle.asp?feed=PR&Date=20030120&ID=2246086
Integrated Defense Technologies Subsidiary, PEI Electronics,
Awarded Contract To Provide Hybrid Electric HMMWVs for an
OSD Technology Development Program January 20, 2003 07AM ET
HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Jan. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Integrated Defense Technologies, Inc.'s IDE, subsidiary, PEI
Electronics, Inc, has been awarded a contract by the U.S.
Army's Project Manager for Light Tactical Vehicles, through
AM General for a Hybrid Electric HMMWV with an integrated
energy management system to provide mobility and power for
an OSD Technology Development Program. The Hybrid HMMWV will
employ a SAFT America Lithium Ion (LI-Ion) batteries and UQM
Technologies traction drive motors and generator. The
contract for the first prototype system is valued at
approximately $2.6 million.
Recent advancements in Hybrid Electric vehicle technologies
allow smaller and more mobile power systems for use in both
military and civilian security applications. Replacing
conventional turbine generators with the power generation
and management capabilities of the HE HMMWV and the LI-Ion
battery pack significantly reduces system size and weight.
The System is mounted directly on the HE HMMWV to enhance
mobility.
The contract requires delivery of a prototype Hybrid HMMWV
(Known as the XM1124) now being produced by PEI Electronics
for the U.S. Army under separate contract to AM General and
the Army's Program Management Office for Light Tactical
Vehicles (PM-LTV). PEI will also integrate the System onto
the Hybrid HMMWV to achieve the highest possible packaging
density. Work on the contract will be performed at the PEI
Electronics Huntsville, AL, facility and is expected to be
completed by October 30, 2003. Additional vehicle orders to
support initial test efforts for the complete system are
anticipated in late 2003. PEI Electronics employs 500 people
in its Cummings Research Park facility in Huntsville.
Integrated Defense Technologies, Inc., is a developer and
provider of advanced electronics and technology products to
the defense and intelligence industries. IDT products are
installed on or used in support of a wide array of military
platforms, to enhance their operational performance or
extend their useful life. IDT products are incorporated into
approximately 250 programs, which, in turn, are installed on
or support over 275 platforms. IDT employs more than 2,000
people throughout the United States and Canada.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that are
forward-looking statements [...] � 2003 PRNewswire
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EVLN(%GM's Garter Belt Hybrid%)
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http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2003/01/07/152468.html?NEWS
Detroit Auto Show: GM's Belt Alternator Starter Hybrid
System
DETROIT, Jan. 6, 2003; General Motors has developed a simple
solution to making hybrid-electric powertrain technology
available to more types of cars, trucks, and sport utility
vehicles, the company announced today at the North American
International Auto Show. GM engineers developed the belt
alternator starter system (BAS) to provide improved fuel
economy in stop-and-go driving by shutting the engine off at
idle mode and by enabling early fuel cutoff to the engine
during decelerations. The system combines sophisticated
engine controls with GM's VTi variable transmission and a
precision electric motor/generator. Regenerative braking and
efficient charging are also part of this system. Estimated
EPA composite fuel economy savings range from 12 percent to
15 percent. Other benefits of the belt alternator starter
system include the versatility to use the system on four-
and six-cylinder engines, with minimal impact on engine and
transmission architectures. Electric power comes from a
single 36-volt battery while maintaining the present 12-volt
electrical system. All vehicle accessories and passenger
comfort systems, such as air conditioning, remain functional
during the periods when the engine is automatically stopped.
Copyright � 1996-2002 The Auto Channel.
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EVLN(We got a damn big Electric ...)-long
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Budget problems stall magnetic train By Sandra Pedicini |
Sentinel Staff Writer Posted January 30, 2003 Abandoned.
(ADRIN SINDER/NEWPORT NEWS DAILY PRESS) Jan 30, 2003
NORFOLK, Va. -- The sleek train lying abandoned on campus is
called "maglev" -- short for magnetic levitation.
But students at Old Dominion University have their own name
for the futuristic vehicle: "Mag left."
American Maglev Technology, the company that assembled the
train in Volusia County and hopes to build more at a plant
in the town of Edgewater, has indeed left in search of more
money -- with its prototype unfinished. Disappointment has
stretched from Volusia, where officials want to see the
company build more trains and provide more jobs, to Norfolk,
where students expected to start getting maglev rides months
ago.
The Old Dominion project is out of money. The vehicle sits
idle on the end of its track. During tests when it has run
about10 to 15 mph, the train vibrated and rattled like a car
running over a rumble strip.This is not what university
officials had in mind when they signed a contract with the
Marietta, Ga.-based company to build the nation's first
magnetically levitated train system.
"In a certain sense they have a white elephant right now,"
said John Harding, a federal maglev scientist. "It must be
somewhat galling."
Without the help of key employees who left the company last
year, AMT President Tony Morris is trying to keep his
showcase project from turning into a proverbial train wreck.
He hopes to get $2 million from the federal government to
jump-start the project.
But with a tight budget, "everything getting funding is a
difficult situation," said Carrie Cantrell, press secretary
for U.S. Sen. George Allen,R-Va. Allen has championed the
maglev. Central Florida's support is a little less vocal.
U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Winter Park, who sits on the House
Transportation Committee and was originally a strong
supporter of AMT, did not return repeated calls for
comment.
AMT's competitor has left it in the dust. On New Year's Eve,
a German company called Transrapid International debuted a
maglev system in Shanghai, China, that runs at more than 260
mph.
Back at Old Dominion, the AMT vehicle's panels lie strewn on
the ground. Sections of track are missing from the guideway.
Three boarding stations are unfinished shells of concrete,
steel and wood.
"We have this mess all over our campus," said BarbaraJane
Blackwell, the editor of the school's weekly newspaper,
Mace&Crown.
Blackwell snickers at the mere mention of the project.
"We all laugh about the maglev," she said.
Volusia test track sits idle
Nobody's laughing in Volusia County. Officials gave AMT more
than a half-million dollars in seed money almost a decade
ago. They want a return on their investment -- an Edgewater
factory churning out maglev trains. But for now, the test
track and office in the woods ofsoutheast Volusia sit idle.
"It's a little discouraging right now," Volusia County
Council member Pat Northey said. "I wish them well, and I am
hopeful they can get it turned around. It's going to be very
hard for Volusia County to have a lot of hope that it
will."
Old Dominion officials do not describe the situation so
bleakly. Bob Fenning, Old Dominion's vice president of
administration and finance, calls maglev a research
opportunity and a "practical investment."
School's hopes were high
Except for paying a transportation consultant $12,500 to
oversee the safety of the system, the school has paid
nothing for it.
Private investors have paid half the $14 million cost. So,
too, has Virginia, with a loan approved by the state's
transportation board.
But Old Dominion, trying to move beyond its image as a
commuter school and boost its reputation as a research
facility, still has a price to pay.
"The university is, I suppose, slightly exposed to
embarrassment," aerospace engineering Professor Colin
Britcher said. "There is this half-finished thing on campus
that was supposed to be great."
The train sits beyond a chain-link fence toward the end of
its massive elevated guideway that has become part of the
campus landscape. The white concrete structure runs from the
university's new arena, across a six-lane highway and into
the heart of the campus. Students say its best use is as a
shelter when it rains.
It's a sad situation for the little train that had started
out as a campus celebrity. Its picture graces the school's
Web site, the cover of its alumni magazine and a huge ad
greeting travelers at the Norfolk International Airport.
"There was a lot of media and a lot of attention drawn to
it," engineering senior David Corsar said.
Last month, a local newspaper columnist suggested using it
as a begonia planter.
Train is called revolutionary
The system is the brainchild of AMT President Tony Morris,
who has been enchanted with magnetic levitation for years.
The concept: Floating on magnetic fields and freed from
speed-reducing friction, electromagnetically powered
vehicles can transport people in a fraction of the time it
takes cars and conventional trains. The technology, which
some say has the potential to revolutionize transportation,
has cost tens of millions of dollars per mile. But Morris
claims to have developed a cheaper system that will bring
maglev within everyone's reach.
In 2000, Virginia approved a $7 million loan so AMT could
run a maglev train at 40 mph on the campus of Old Dominion.
Work on the vehicle began in a remote piece of wilderness in
Edgewater, and in June, the train was trucked north to Old
Dominion.
Students found their paths blocked by construction. Signs
posted in the school arena directed people to the maglev.
Freshmen orientation guides were instructed to tell new
students about the train and the technology behind it.
"That became part of our job -- to hype not only the
university but the maglev program," said Jeff Cunningham,
one of the student guides.
But problems soon became apparent. Morris, who in his former
life as a consultant made sure construction jobs were on
time and within budget, was overseeing a project that turned
out to be neither.
With AMT officials saying they needed more time to complete
safety tests, the school pushed a Sept. 30 start date back
to Nov. 15. Then with the money getting tighter, Vice
President Lew Oliver and project manager Britt Bochiardy
left the company to pursue other work in Central Florida.
Morris and the school slammed the brakes on the project, and
professors and students wondered what had become of it.
"We suddenly noticed there weren't any people working on it
any more," said Britcher, who with other professors went to
university administrators to find out what was going on.
University officials said they needed more money for
"refining the ride-quality issue."
Tested on a ground-level track in Edgewater, the train
reacted differently on its raised concrete guideway. A ride
that should have been as smooth as glass and as quiet as a
sleeping baby shuddered and rattled instead.
The professors helped devise a technical solution that
Britcher says is almost certain to work. But until that
point, they say, AMT left them on the sidelines as the
project -- hailed as a research opportunity for the school
-- was developed and built.
"I think the president of the institution made a mistake by
not insisting the appropriate faculty be involved from the
very beginning," said Bill Drewry, a professor in the civil
and environmental engineering department.
Now before they can put their theory to work, someone will
have to provide the money.
Money issues stall project
Designing boarding stations and the track and developing the
computer systems all cost more than expected, school
officials said. But, Morris said, "it's not accurate" to
describe the project as having overrun its budget. He would
not comment further.
School officials said AMT and Old Dominion had expected the
system to receive $16 million from private investors and
government money. Instead, they received $14 million. Still,
officials went ahead with plans, figuring they could get
federal money to cover any extra costs.
Now, the school says it is talking with other potential
investors. Some wonder why AMT's private partners --
Lockheed Martin Corp. and Dominion Virginia Power -- can't
come up with more cash.
Lockheed officials said the company has a team working on
maglev technology, including fixing AMT's system. Dominion
Virginia Power, a utility company that originally put up
$3.5 million, says it is no longer focusing on new
technology such as maglev.
Students won't ride soon
Should the maglev system end up a failure, AMT is supposed
to pay for the costs of tearing down the guideway and the
stations.
"It would be a while before we'd ever have to press that
button," Fenning, the school administrator, said.
If the money comes through and the technology starts working
perfectly, it will still be several months before maglev
starts running. Students won't ride on it until at least the
end of the year because a battery of safety tests would need
to be completed. School officials compare the situation with
that of the high-speed maglev in China, where passengers
won't ride for several months because the system is
undergoing safety tests and more construction.
Besides, Old Dominion officials say, the vehicle's research
value goes far beyond whisking riders across campus.
"I'm not sure just shuttling students is part of our
objective," school spokeswoman Jennifer Mullen said.
Officials are still hopeful
Ashley Fuller could graduate before the train starts
running. But "I do believe it will be started back up," said
Fuller, a senior electrical engineering major who worked on
the project with another student last semester. Paid a
little more than minimum wage to move magnets and install
rail, Fuller now walks the site once a day to make sure no
one vandalizes anything.
Fuller says talking theory with AMT employees and watching
them do computer programming work was valuable real-world
experience.
Professors hope other students will begin to get that
experience as the train continues to be tested. Officials
wait for the CNN and MSNBC camera crews to record the
historic maglev liftoff. And they still dream of a maglev
research center.
Some students -- particularly freshmen and those studying
engineering -- think maglev is, in the words of 19-year-old
David Ferrell, "pretty cool."
Fallen Livingstone, 18, agrees, although she added, "I'm
kind of scared to ride it. I feel like a guinea pig,
almost."
But at a school recently forced to lay off staff and hike
tuition because of budget cuts, other students at Old
Dominion University question the value of a project that has
yet to work properly.
"I feel like it's just something for ODU to put their name
on," said Valanda Riley, a senior studying marketing at the
school.
"They raised tuition. They cut the staff. But we got a damn
big electric train. It's more for bragging rights, and it's
not even running yet. What's the purpose?"
Sandra Pedicini can be reached at
[EMAIL PROTECTED] or 386-851-7911
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EVLN(Segway stiffs Santa Cruz for Disney)-LONG
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http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2003/January/29/local/stories/09local.htm
January 29, 2003
Segway opts for Florida town for year-long study
By RAMONA TURNER Sentinel staff writer
Santa Cruz got stiffed for Disney.
Segway officials announced last week they were canceling a
visit to Santa Cruz to demonstrate their controversial
transportation gizmo for a trip to Celebration, Fla.
instead.
Company officials say it?s more than just another
demonstration. Celebration, a community built by the Walt
Disney Co., has agreed to take part in a year-long study of
how people use the Segway and whether it creates any
problems.
Residents there will be able to buy the devices for full
price ? about $5,000 ? but get a discount after the study.
The two-wheeled, battery-powered device looks like a
push-mower, and can carry someone up to 250 pounds. The
83-pound gizmo can travel 12.5 mph for up to 15 miles. Its
designers tout it as an alternative to walking and driving
short distances.
Santa Cruz and Capitola are considering banning the devices
from sidewalks at the request of pedestrian and seniors
groups. They say they already compete for space with
skateboarders and bicyclists.
"The sidewalk is supposed to be a place of safety for
children, the elderly, everyone," said Debbie Bulger of
Mission: Pedestrian. "It is difficult enough to cross the
street. Pedestrians should not have to dodge fast-moving,
heavy vehicles on the sidewalk."
The cities and community groups were going to get a
first-hand look at the Segway Tuesday, but the company said
its employees were needed in Florida.
"We chose Celebration for a few reasons," said Carla
Vallone, Segway spokeswoman. "It has a very good network of
sidewalks and trails, the people there are very interested
in alternative transportation and they have been very
enthusiastic about the neighborhood electric vehicle (a golf
cart-like device)."
Segway?s year-long study will begin Saturday. A private
research firm will conduct the study, Vallone said. While
the device has logged 100,000 hours of testing, and is used
by some businesses, it?s never been neighborhood tested.
But the whole situation has soured area residents who were
hoping to learn more about a device that will surely make
its way here.
"The fact that Segway Corporation is ?beginning? to study
the effects of their product on real pedestrians does not
reassure me any more than it would reassure me to learn
Philip Morris was studying the health effects of second-hand
smoke," said Don Fong, a Santa Cruz transportation
commissioner who urged his colleagues to recommend that the
City Council ban the device from city sidewalks.
"We ... were told that the Segway is highly maneuverable and
can operate at very low speeds," he said. "However, I think
its top speed, rather than its lowest speed, is more
relevant. I?m old enough to remember what hiking was like
before mountain biking became popular. ... The honor system
didn?t work with mountain bikers, and it won?t work with
Segway riders."
Others say give Segway a chance.
"Has anyone who has voiced concerns ever tried one?" asked
Barbara Solso of Boulder Creek.
The mountain resident has a Segway on order and expects to
receive it this spring. She rode one at a demonstration in
San Diego last year.
"It is exactly as advertised," she said. "When you want to
go, it goes. When your senses tell you to stop, it stops."
She said one member of the test group challenged Segway to
prove that the device could not hurt a bystander.
"He demanded that someone run over his tennis shoe-clad
foot. When one rider did, you should have seen the look on
that guy?s face. He barely felt a thing."
The Santa Cruz City Council on Feb. 11 will hear a
recommendation from its transportation commission to take a
wait-and-see approach on the Segway. No decision will be
made. The public can address the council during the oral
communications part of the meeting.
Capitola is not expected to take up the issue any time
soon.
Contact Ramona Turner at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
===
Segway LLC Initiates Community Study of Segway(TM) HT
Riders
Story Filed: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 6:00 AM EST
MANCHESTER, N.H., Jan 28, 2003 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --
Segway LLC announced today that it is beginning a community
study to observe the impact and benefits resulting from a
concentrated number of people using Segway(TM) Human
Transporters (HTs). During the yearlong study, which begins
on February 1, 2003 in Celebration, Florida, Segway will
observe how and when people use their Segway HTs to commute
to work, improve their mobility and how riders interact with
their community and neighbors.
"The Segway Community Study will help Segway learn more
about its consumers and how to maximize the benefits of the
Segway HT," said Morgan Smith, Brand Manager, Segway LLC.
"The data we gather will also help us to refine rider
orientation requirements and further evaluate the
interactions between Segway HT riders and other
pedestrians."
The community study is open to qualified individuals who
live or work in Celebration, Fla. Once selected,
participants have the opportunity to purchase a Segway HT
i167 model, complete rider orientation and receive immediate
delivery of their Segway HTs. Participants are required to
complete written questionnaires and one-on-one interviews
about their experiences throughout the yearlong study. Those
who complete the full study requirements will earn a partial
refund on the $4,950 retail price of a Segway HT i167
model.
Segway selected Celebration, Fla. as the site of the study
because of the town's commitment to community development,
its infrastructure of sidewalk and trails, and their
enthusiasm for zero-emission transportation alternatives.
Many Celebration residents have already adopted the use of
Neighborhood-Electric-Vehicles (NEVs), which are sold
locally by NEVrland, Inc. Segway teamed up with NEVrland to
recruit study participants and NEVrland will be the sole
provider of on-site Segway warranty service for study
participants at Celebration.
The first group of study participants receive rider
orientation and delivery of their Segway HTs this week.
Segway will continue to accept applications for the
community study through February.
About Segway
Segway LLC is a Manchester, NH, based business founded by
renowned inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen to provide a
solution to short-distance travel. The company has created
the Segway(TM) Human Transporter (HT), the first
self-balancing, electric-powered transporter designed to
enhance the productivity of people by increasing the
distance they can travel and the amount they can carry. For
additional information about Segway, please visit
www.segway.com. Press releases and digital images are
available at Segway's press center at: www.segway.com/news.
SOURCE Segway LLC CONTACT: Carla Vallone of Segway LLC,
+1-866-473-4929, or [EMAIL PROTECTED] URL:
http://www.segway.com http://www.prnewswire.com Copyright
(C) 2003 PR Newswire. All rights reserved. KEYWORD: New
Hampshire INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CPRCSE TRN SUBJECT CODE: SVY
Copyright � 2003, PR Newswire, all rights reserved.
===
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orl-locsegway28012803jan28,0,7878147.story?coll=orl%2Dnews%2Dheadlines
Celebration hops on for a high-tech ride
By Willoughby Mariano | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted January 28, 2003 Getting around town.
(JULIE FLETCHER/ORLANDO SENTINEL) Jan 27, 2003
CELEBRATION -- Residents of this prosperous haven for
pedestrians can buy an excuse not to walk -- for the low,
low price of $4,950.Meet the Segway Human Transporter, a
high-tech, scooter-like gizmo that bears an uncanny
resemblance to a push mower. It moves with a simple lean
forward and turns in a complete circle with the flick of a
thumb. Its inventor claims it will "change civilization."
Critics called it "the SUV of scooters."
Now, oft-scrutinized Celebration, praised and sometimes
mocked for its devotion to front porches, sidewalk cafes and
foot traffic, is the nation's first community designated as
an official Segway testing site. Buyers will receive a
$2,000 discount if they complete a year of company-funded
study of how the device changes life in their town.
Along the way, Segway LLC has found a niche of customers who
think the device can change lives. Anesthesiologist Carl
Hardy, 55 plans to take his to the Heart of Florida Regional
Medical Center north of Haines City. Maybe patients who have
trouble walking can use it.
"I want to study its practical applications," said Hardy,
whose Segway already bears a bright pink sticker that reads
"Catch Me If You Can."
But some experts wonder why people need a Segway at all.
"Maybe we shouldn't be looking at new ways to avoid
walking," said Marya Morris, a researcher with the American
Planning Association. "It's ironic to me that they're doing
it in a place touted for its walk-ability -- not its
Segway-ability."
Along Celebration's lakefront, officials from NEVerland --
which sells Celebration's other transportation novelty, the
golf-cart-like Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) -- zip
around on Segways, like futuristic extras from The Jetsons.
At the basketball court, three men teeter on borrowed
Segways, under coaching from company officials.
Pete Crow, 60, a semiretired businessman, leans on the
handlebars of his new Segway and admits he has a weakness
for gadgets. He used to walk to Barnie's Coffee & Tea
downtown. Now he Segways. Even to the fitness center.
"I'm not sure what this will mean for my long-term health,"
Crow admitted. But the pleasure of riding is hard to beat.
"It's like just standing here."
The 83-pound Segway can travel at speeds up to 12.5 mph, yet
it easily anticipates a rider's movements. A thumb switch
lets it turn on a dime. A series of computers and gyroscopes
keep the device in balance.
Disney's Epcot has put the Segway on display. They've been
spotted at Downtown Disney. Letter carriers have used them
in Tampa. Pediatrician and researcher Gary Smith said that
since 2001, 33 states, including Florida, have passed laws
permitting Segways on sidewalks -- but without the rigorous
safety testing other vehicles must undergo.
"It's really nifty," said Smith, of the Center for Injury
Research and Policy at Children's Hospital in Columbus,
Ohio. "But the basic law of physics says a device that
weighs up to 90-something pounds, plus a passenger of up to
250 pounds, plus cargo, if it runs into a child, will cause
a severe injury."
Although the Segway's makers insist it is safe, San
Francisco this month became the first large city to ban it.
Advocacy groups for the elderly and disabled feared it would
be a sidewalk menace.
Segway buyer John Guerra, 35, could not disagree more.To
him, the Segway is an example of what the Disney-planned
Celebration is about: innovation, being outside and meeting
new people.
The new resident said he gets little outdoor exercise.
Bicycles are not for him -- he's a Segway man. He sees
himself riding around with a Segway posse on Celebration's
trails. Sort of like a motorcycle club.
"We can have trail rides. We can ride in a group."
The Segways arrive in a town already crowded with different
modes of transportation. SUVs line the sidewalks.
Motorcycles cruise Front Street. Children speed by on
bicycles. The "Celebration Express," a kiddie train, snakes
along the lakefront, powered by an NEV.
Pushing a shiny electric scooter, Brielle Jenkins and her
best friend Emily McColgan, both 11, pondered merits of the
Segway. Brielle's dad is Dr. Hardy.
"It's so cool. It's so futuristic," said Emily as she skated
backward for a full block on a pair of in-line skates. She
would give them up for a Segway. But there are
disadvantages.
"Dogs can pull you on a skateboard," Brielle said, then
concluded the Segway is more fun for grownups than
children.
Willoughby Mariano can be reached at
[EMAIL PROTECTED] or 407-931-5944.
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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-pp29mechajan29,0,634962.story?coll=sfla-news-broward
Under the hood By David Volz Special correspondent
Posted January 29 2003
While most people associate high school with books and
tests, there are people who spend much of their time fixing
things and getting their hands dirty.
They are the students in high school automotive programs.
And while not all high schools offer comprehensive
mechanical training, those that do are preparing students
for high-paying jobs.
Marco Terlizzo is among a group of Miramar High School
students who spend much of their time learning to repair
electronic vehicles. They recently won three first-place
trophies for their work on an electric vehicle at a
competition in Gainesville, Ga.
"When I came to Miramar High, I found they had a good
automotive program and I wanted to be a part of it," said
Terlizzo, a Miramar resident. "I like the fact that electric
vehicles don't pollute the environment. I also like to work
on the acceleration of the cars. It is interesting to see
how long you can make their power last."
Martin Jones, who teaches automotive service and technology
at McFatter Technical High in Davie, said there are
wonderful opportunities for young people to develop carrers
in auto repair. During the two-year program, McFatter
students learn how to repair and overhaul engines, repair
steering systems, suspensions and brakes. They can also
learn about car air-conditioning and electrical systems.
"There is a very high demand for people with the skills we
teach here," Jones said. "Some of our students will go on to
college while others will get more training in automotive
repair and then take high-paying jobs. Those who have the
right skills can command good incomes."
During the day, automotive students at Miramar High can be
found working on a 1993 Ford Probe that has been converted
to run on battery power. Automotive students at the school
are learning the basics and a whole range of automotive
skills.
"My students have dismantled and re-engineered this car,"
said Lowell Simmons, Miramar's automotive instructor. "We
have students working on a year-long study on how cars
affect the environment. In competitions, students test their
vehicle in areas such as speed, handling, and agility."
Simmons is proud of his students' work and thinks there will
be many good opportunities for students qualified in
automotive technology and electric vehicle technology.
"A good mechanic is always in demand," said Jim Allen, who
teaches automotive technology at Northeast High School in
Oakland Park. "We teach the basic fundamentals here. We show
students how engines work and how to repair them. We prepare
students to go on to higher levels of training. If we want
to keep cars rolling, we have to have people trained in the
latest automotive technology to fix them."
Copyright � 2003, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
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http://www.canadait.com/cfm/index.cfm?It=106&Id=13981&Se=0&Lo=2
Friday, January 17, 2003
Company News ? Delta-Q Technologies
Delta-Q Technologies Announces Commercial Shipment of QuiQ
Battery Charger
VANCOUVER, BC ? January 17, 2003. Delta-Q Technologies
Corp., a leading developer of digitally controlled power
conversion products, announced that it has begun commercial
shipments of its QuiQ battery charger to its first OEM
customer in the recreational and industrial electric vehicle
(EV) Industry.
According to Stuart Evans, Sales Manager for Delta-Q, ?We?re
very excited about this sale which represents the
achievement and recognition of a new standard in charging
efficiency, accuracy and performance. We?re working with
many other key industry OEMs and transitioning them through
final stages of field trials and into signed accounts.?
The total value of the contract with this OEM customer is
US$450,000 (approximately CDN$700,000). Added to other
orders, Delta-Q has over CDN$1M in formal contracts for 2003
delivery.
Delta-Q credits its successful launch to the excellent
support received from leading vehicle manufacturers in the
industry, during both the product development and field
trial stages of the program. Delta-Q has five 1kW (1,000
watt) models available in 24V, 36V, 42V, 48V and 72V DC
output configurations. The QuiQ charger operates from a
wide-range AC input, allowing vehicle OEMs to replace
multiple input voltage/frequency model variations with one
QuiQ charger.
Ken Fielding, President and CEO of Delta-Q commented, ?We
launched our QuiQ battery charger to meet the growing demand
from vehicle OEMs for improved charging solutions, while
displacing older-technology products that still dominate the
industry. This is the first-stage in our total
systems-solution approach to solving the vehicle power
management problems in this industry.?
The QuiQ charger is a revolutionary design for the
industrial battery charger category offering lower overall
cost, high efficiency, universal input voltage, small size,
light weight, sealed construction, unity power factor
correction, and microprocessor control. The charger serves
as an entry product to the industry and as a platform for
the company?s integrated product solutions now under
development.
About Delta-Q Technologies Corp.
Delta-Q develops power management products for the electric
vehicle industry and other markets where advanced power
conversion solutions are required. These products are based
on a power platform that utilizes high efficiency, high
frequency power conversion circuits with advanced software
control. The resulting benefits: smaller, lighter, higher
performance products and lower overall systems cost.
Delta-Q Technologies is a privately held corporation based
in Burnaby, BC.
For more information, please visit: [ http://delta-q.com ]
or contact Ken Fielding at 604.327.8244 (or
[EMAIL PROTECTED])
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