EV Digest 2640

Topics covered in this issue include:

  1) Re: Suzuki van conversion.
        by "garry" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
  2) rolling resistance
        by "veena" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
  3) Fwd: [think_ev] CARB/ZEV Press Conference in West LA on Sunday
        by Gordon Niessen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
  4) Vanadium Redox Battery
        by Rusty Feasel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
  5) Oops sorry guys for the multiple post
        by Rusty Feasel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
  6) OT New email test - ignore
        by "Rod Hower" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
  7) Status report: '92 Civic sedan
        by Bob Bath <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
  8) Battery Choices.
        by [EMAIL PROTECTED]
  9) Re: CARB/ZEV Press Conference in West LA on Sunday 3/9 10am
        by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
 10) Re: Suzuki van conversion.
        by Lee Hart <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
 11) Zap Electric Car.
        by "Lawrence Rhodes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
 12) Re: Power of DC Graphics
        by Chip Gribben <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
 13) Re: Zap Electric Car
        by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
 14) EV1 insult on Jay Leno
        by [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 15) Re: EV1 insult on Jay Leno
        by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
 16) Re: EV1 insult on Jay Leno
        by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
 17) EVLN(Hydro-Quebec/Dassault/Heuliez 2006 EV)-long
        by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
 18) EVLN(China's zinc-air Ebuses)
        by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
 19) EVLN(Sparrow Droppings)
        by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
 20) vacuum pump
        by "Shelton, John D. AW2" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
 21) Re: vacuum pump
        by [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 22) Re: EVLN(China's zinc-air Ebuses)
        by Lonnie Borntreger <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
 23) Re: EV1 insult on Jay Leno
        by Gordon Niessen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
 24) Re: EVLN(Sparrow Droppings) - Error on Merlin
        by "John G. Lussmyer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
 25) Re: EV1 insult on Jay Leno
        by "Jon \"Sheer\" Pullen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
 26) EV Comment by Jay Leno on the Tonight Show
        by Sam Thurber <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
 27) Re: EV1 insult on Jay Leno
        by "Bruce Tucker" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
 28) Fun Friday, Freaking-out the Forklift Foreman!
        by John Wayland <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
 29) RE: EV1 insult on Jay Leno
        by [EMAIL PROTECTED]
--- Begin Message ---
Hi Lee,

No I was quite serious about the whole diesel alternator.

I was thinking that with the addition of something similar to the electric
clutch system the air con pump has this could be triggered only when
braking, adding power to the battery, efficiency to the brakes and topping
up a small vacuum tank for boosting the brakes.

I think I have this understanding of why I cant get it sorted finally fixed,
for some reason I was confusing time with distance, but it is obvious now
that if my tug runs 5 hours at 12 kph it will only do 60k per charge and if
I then speed up to 60 kph the best I can hope for is 1 hours running, but
with aerodynamic and battery losses at the higher drain rate I wont get it.

My controller is clearly not a contactor type because the batteries all
string together and connect at the ends to the cables running to the
controller, there is no facility to split them in half.

Garry Stanley

Cable.net.nz



--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
hi all
can someone tell me the near to correct value of rolling resistance
coefficient for a tar road and rubber tires.
will .15N/tonne be a correct value for rolling resistance?
veena

--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message --- I am not in California, but I wish I could be there to show my support.


Hi.. not sure if this reached the Th!nkers or not..
--------------------
Dear EV Supporters:

This is an impassioned plea to show your support for Zero Emission Vehicles
by attending Sunday's press conference at the Federal Building. The timing
couldn't be better, as the California Air Resources Board's new staff
proposal spells the death of the ZEV Program--no BEVs, no fuel cell
vehicles--but the media isn't carrying our side of the story or getting the
facts right.

PLEASE HELP TO GET THE FACTS TO THE PEOPLE OF CALIFORNIA BEFORE IT'S TOO
LATE. PLEASE HELP SEND THE MESSAGE THAT CARB MUST NOT GIVE UP ON CALIFORNIA
AND SIDE WITH DETROIT AND THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION.

On the up side, we've received confirmation from EV-owner celebrities Ed
Begley Jr., Tony Shalhoub, Steven Weber and Laurie David and the American
Lung Assn. We have also invited several environmental organizations and
local politicians.

Critical to the success of the press conference is YOU. We need lots of EVs
and lots of EV owners to spell out ''ZEV'' with their cars in the huge
Federal Building parking lot. THIS IS OUR PHOTO OPPORTUNITY.

Remember, this issue reaches far beyond transportation preference. It's
about the air we breathe. It's about preserving our planet. Please take a
bit of time to contribute to the cause.

"NEVER DOUBT THAT A SMALL GROUP OF THOUGHTFUL, COMMITTED CITIZENS CAN CHANGE
THE WORLD. INDEED, IT'S THE ONLY THING THAT EVER HAS." MARGARET MEAD

Where: Federal Building at Wilshire Boulevard and the 405. (Use the south
parking lot.)

When: Sunday, March 9, 11:00. WE NEED ALL EV DRIVERS TO ARRIVE NO LATER THAN
10:30 a.m.
We expect to conclude around 11:45 a.m.

If you would like to address the media, please call or email Zan at (310)
392-1130
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

Thank you!

Paul Scott
Zan Dubin Scott


--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message --- I am unfortunately a very non-technical person, but nonetheless and big fan of battery EV transportation. In my prodigious reading, I have come across the Vanadium Redox Battery and would like to hear some comments from you much more technical folks. I have not labored (and LABOR it would be for me) to really get an apples-to-apples comparison of functionality put together between this and more common batteries used in EV applications; I would really like for someone to approach this if inclined.

From a business and sales oriented lay person's perspective, it is not too hard to see why load leveling is the chosen application for rolling out this technology. It is not exactly a head scratcher to consider the relative merits of having billionaire power companies as a customer versus starving EV ones.

Still, if this battery has enough power to even approach the function of a Ford Ranger with a bed full of SLA, would it not be worth a hard look? I picture in my mind "gas stations" where drivers could pump out spent, rechargeable electrolyte and pump in the version with a happy valence - scarcely changing the regime we now use with fossil fuel. Perhaps some solar panels and windmills on site to recharge the electrolyte for reuse. Obviously, one would need a considerably larger 'gas tank', but is that really a deal breaker given the weights of batteries in use now and the compromises one must make to run an EV for even a fraction of the range one gets in Dino powered cars?

Is this a fantasy that could never be realized? It seems to this observer a blinding flash of the obvious. Anyone know or able to calculate functional limitations that would allow me to put this idea away?

Here's a decent exposition on the technology and even a motor and wheels..

http://www.ceic.unsw.edu.au/centers/vrb/

Regards,

Rusty Feasel



--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
set ev mail ack
end

"Receive copies of your own email messages sent to the ev list. By default, you WILL NOT see your messages sent to the ev list."

<pedestrian list user>

Rusty Feasel



--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Test email from Dell Axim

--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
The block has been removed.  I find it rather ironic
that there is without doubt more electronics involved
in running a combustion engine with low emissions and
high(er) efficiency than spinning an _electric_ motor.
   In removing "the snake" (main engine harness) it
becomes apparent that the backup light switch from the
tranny must be jumpered to the remnant of the old
harness.  That really seems to be the only concern. 
Lights, airbag, etc. all seem to run in different
harnesses.
   The main concern is the harnes that went to the
main computer.  It branches to 3 harnesses, and must
be fished out through the firewall for the buyer of
the block. Well, I've got to remove the entire dash to
mount e-meter, solid core heater, etc. so I don't mind
the project, especially while waiting for an adapter
plate.
   I also pulled the instrument cluster.  Jeff C. was
right that there isn't enough clearance for an e-meter
in there, so I will re-mount the hazard light switch,
and put the e-meter there as he did.
   The micrometer I used to get the magic number
didn't have a very wide flange, so I had to measure
from the closest bolt holes to the flywheel.  This
left me with a bit of potential error that has me
nervous.  We are between .800" and .815".  I am hoping
to learn more from the fabricator as he reviews his
notes from the previous job.
   This is getting cool!

__________________________________________________
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--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Hi all,
   I am still trying to decide on batteries for my E Fiero project. I have 
stripped out all the ICE stuff and found gobs of room for batteries. The 
front has quite a bit of volume if I choose VRLA batteries like Hawkers. I am 
in the process of constructing the battery box supports and have to make a 
decision soon on the batteries.  I plan on running a 192 volt pack to keep 
the current draw down on the batteries. This should make the batteries 
provide more of their rated capacity, and have the added feature of having 
more power available should I want to Waylandize my driving habits.  Evercell 
Batteries look very appealing but without any real data on their cycle life I 
don't know if I can justify the expense.

I welcome any suggestions / observations concerning battery types.

  Rudman what's the current word on Evercells MB100 batteries? When will they 
be available at a reasonable price? 

Pat Sweeney

--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
I encourage all California residents who can attend to 
do so, with or without your EV.

We all know there is a gap of public EV charging between
San Jose and San Luis Obispo. So if you are not within 
the vast LA grid of public EV charging, please still 
plan to make it to this EVent.

Also, plan to take pictures and record what goes on. 
This is history in the making, and likely the last 
time the public will be heard on this before the 
automaker's get their way.


-
[ref
 http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/EVList/message/37024 ]

>Where: Federal Building at Wilshire Boulevard and 
>the 405. (Use the south parking lot.)
>
>When: Sunday, March 9, 11:00. WE NEED ALL EV 
>DRIVERS TO ARRIVE NO LATER THAN 10:30 a.m.
>We expect to conclude around 11:45 a.m.
>
>If you would like to address the media, please call 
>or email Zan at (310) 392-1130 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
-





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--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Garry Stanley wrote:
> diesel alternator... electric clutch from an air conditioner
> compressor... triggered only when braking, adding power to the
> battery, efficiency to the brakes and topping up a small vacuum
> tank for boosting the brakes.

Yes, this can all work. It takes a while to get it all built and work
out the bugs, though.

You probably don't need the electric clutch. Turn off the field on an
alternator, and it freewheels very easily. Use the brake light switch to
control a relay that connects the alternator's field, and its internal
voltage regulator will start charging the 12v accessory battery. This
provides braking force, and puts back some of the charge that has been
taken out while cruising.

> My controller is clearly not a contactor type because the batteries all
> string together and connect at the ends to the cables running to the
> controller, there is no facility to split them in half.

Probably not, then. But if the tug is REALLY old (50+ years) it is
possible that it has a resistor controller. There would be a bank of
LARGE resistors that got wired in series with the motor for all speeds
except full.
-- 
Lee A. Hart                Ring the bells that still can ring
814 8th Ave. N.            Forget your perfect offering
Sartell, MN 56377 USA      There is a crack in everything
leeahart_at_earthlink.net  That's how the light gets in - Leonard Cohen

--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Search Tues. March 4th Archeive.   Daily Planet Archieve a little way down
on the right of page. Zap Electric Car.  Lawrence Rhodes.....
http://www.discovery.ca/dailyplanet/

--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Hey everyone,

I think I should have mentioned on the opening page what the minimum
requirements were for the Flash movie. Sorry. I'll add that in.

In order for it to run properly you will need Flash Player 6 available from
Macromedia at http://www.macromedia.com. Select "Downloads".

The reason some browsers screens stay black when they load the movie is
because its hanging up on the preloader which isn't supported in earlier
versions of Flash. The older Flash Player sees the Preloader Action Script
and says, "What's this?" and draws a blank.

Chip Gribben
Power of DC Race Coordinator
http://www.powerofdc.com

EVA/DC Webmaster
http://www.evadc.org


On 3/8/03 4:51 AM, "Electric Vehicle Discussion List" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:

> On 6 Mar 2003 at 18:09, Victor Tikhonov wrote:
> 
>> My Netscape shows just black screen.
> 
> Same here.  I use K-Meleon, a Mozilla derivative.  It downloads a big Flash
> file, then just sits there.
> 
> Maybe we need a different plugin. I have Flash 3.0r8, according to my
> plugins list.
> 
> What is required to view this movie?  Please don't say IE.  That's a non-
> standards-compliant, buggy browser, with security problems; I won't allow it
> on my system.

--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
The page is optimized for MSIE, and the link launches
a java script window to open a windows media player.
You will need at least a 42kbps connection.

The direct windows media link is 
http://www.exn.ca/news/video/exn20030304-gg-electriccar.asx
If you load it separately into your windows media
player it may want to upgrade your MSWP to the latest
version. IT ran fine on version 9.

Summary if you have not seen the Zap LUV nEV,
this 23kbps stream is not worth the effort.

The first 30% of this 'gaget girl' piece is spent 
showing a robot, a red EV1 backing out of a drive
way, and people with cell phones (archive footage).

Then the clip dwells on two li-ion batts stacked 
on each other stating that ZAP has a secret way
to get more power in and out of the batteries
(yea, they put them in parallel).

The native reporter lamely states
-how different the LUV nEV is, 
-that it only goes 35kmh, 
-it recharges in 1 hr
-but you only get 500 cycles on a $9k pack 

All this hoopla for an nEV?

...
Today at the SJEAA meeting two people stated that
they had recently been to ZAP. There is an EV with no 
batteries in the display area (batteries not included),
and there were plenty of slimey sales types to talk
up their products.

This hard sell with out a product to drive,
just does not smell right.





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--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Hi All

This is probably beneath dignity to comment on, a couple of nights ago
(although we are probably a day or two later here) Jay Leno (a late night
show for those who don't know) was commenting on the price of fuel. Things
like "at $30 per gallon Los Angeles discovers sidewalks, at $40 per gallon
only Bill Gates will be able to afford to drive an SUV uphill with the
aircon on and towing a boat..." humorous so far,

But then "...at $50 per gallon someone will actually buy an electic car!"
with an accompanying picture of an EV1. I was suprised not to see some
comment on list of ...someone needs to explain to this jerk that people
WANT to buy the EV1, and GM won't SELL.

Or maybe that most people who see that show already know that Jay Leno is
anti EV? 

Maybe Wayland needs to visit him....


James

--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
IMHO: Jay knows better he's driven an EV1, but he's 
just after a cheap laugh at our expensive. He is rich
enough to buy several, but GM will not sell them. 

Jay is going to take a pot shot at anyone that does not
fight back.

Jay is very visible, and the public does not need this 
mis-information. 

What is it Jay always says, "oh don't write letters ..."
(like it is painful). It seems to be the only way to 
keep him in check.

Jay has upset may others
http://www.all-creatures.org/aip/nl-11dec2000-leno.html 

The letters we would send Jay would have focus on the 
truth and tell him to speak it.

Postal mail will have more of an impact than an email:

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
3000 W. Alameda Ave.
Burbank, California 91523

NBC web sites are MSIE optimized
http://www.nbc.com/nbc/footer/Contact_Us.shtml

Perhaps a step further than just John talking to jay.
All of nedra.com ought to take him out for rides.




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--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Jay's EV joke ca be found on
http://www.agweb.com/news_show_news_article.asp?nodate=Y&file=AgNewsArticle_200336743_836&articleid=95872&newscat=AGL







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--- End Message ---
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EVLN(Hydro-Quebec/Dassault/Heuliez 2006 EV)-long
[The Internet Electric Vehicle List News. For Public EV informational
 purposes. Contact publication for reprint rights.]
 --- {EVangel}
http://www.morningstar.ca/globalhome/industry/News.asp?articleid=MTFH03417_2003-03-04_22-15-07_N04323505
Hydro-Quebec in Electric Car Joint Venture

MONTREAL (Reuters) - Hydro-Quebec, the Canadian power utility, said
Tuesday it will team up with French companies Dassault and
Heuliez to produce a low-pollution electric vehicle by 2006. The
cars will be powered by technology developed by Hydro-Quebec, one of
North America's largest electricity producers and distributors.

===

http://hoovnews.hoovers.com/fp.asp?layout=displaynews&doc_id=NR20030305670.4_03df0013c918645a
Hydro-Quebec in project to make electric vehicle: Joint venture with
French firms Dassault and Heuliez aims for 2006 launch
March 5, 2003 6:06pm

MONTREAL - Hydro-Quebec said yesterday it will team up with French
companies Dassault and Heuliez to produce a low-pollution electric
vehicle by 2006.

The cars will be powered by technology developed by Hydro-Quebec,
one of North America's largest electricity producers and
distributors.

The four-seat vehicles -- initially aimed at commercial markets --
are expected to cost about $24,000 each, and have a range of about
150 kilometres at 120 km/h. The battery takes between six and eight
hours to be recharged.

The utility invested in developing an electric car in the 1990s but
retreated because the venture did not seem financially viable. Now,
it says, the timing is right.

"The performance of the battery and the engine are unequalled,"
Hydro-Quebec's president and chief executive, Andre Caille, told
reporters during a conference call from the Geneva Auto Show in
Switzerland.

"There is a market waiting for a reasonable offer," said Claude
Dumas, head of TM4, the Hydro-Quebec unit involved in the project.

Mr. Caille said Hydro-Quebec has spent $200-million over the past 10
years in manufacturing an electric vehicle drive system. Over the
next two years, it plans to spend between $10-million and
$12-million a year in further research and development.

The utility said it will deal with France's SVE (Societe de
Vehicules Electriques), mainly owned by Groupe Industriel Marcel
Dassault -- the founding family of French aircraft maker Dassault
Aviation -- and Groupe Henri Heuliez.

Hydro-Quebec said it will provide the vehicle's power system,
including the motor, electric drivetrain and the
lithium-metal-polymer battery.

It added that Dassault and Heuliez were completing the vehicle
prototype, which will be manufactured in 2004 with the aim of having
them on the market as of 2006.

"We are talking about 10,000 cars," Mr. Caille said, adding that
Hydro-Quebec will not make the cars itself and a manufacturer will
be named later.

He said that plants will have to be built or expanded to manufacture
the batteries.

The current site of Boucherville, Que., near Montreal, has been
chosen and could create 250 more jobs, he said.

The first markets targeted are commercial, governmental, municipal
and institutional fleets in Europe and North America. Eventually the
vehicle would be offered on the retail market.

"It is the typical city car," Mr. Caille said. "We are aiming the
mass market in the long term."

Hydro-Quebec said the electric car would also help the province curb
greenhouse gas emissions, as required under Kyoto Protocol, with
Canada ratified late last year.

Publication: Financial Post
Distributed by Financial Times Information Limited
Copyright � 2003 National Post

===

http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=Dassault+%22electric+vehicle%22
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=Heuliez+%22electric+car%22
http://www.heuliez.com/UK/14Sommaire/sommaire.htm








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--- End Message ---
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EVLN(China's zinc-air Ebuses)
[The Internet Electric Vehicle List News. For Public EV informational
 purposes. Contact publication for reprint rights.]
 --- {EVangel}
http://english.eastday.com/epublish/gb/paper1/835/class000100022/hwz117725.htm
Tech center seeks alternative fuels

The global fuel crisis, spurred on by rising tension between the
United States and Iraq, has automobile researchers looking for
alternatives to the combustion engine.

The U.S.-China Energy and Environment Technology Center announced
yesterday the opening of its Shanghai office, in a bid to propel
work on electric automobiles in one of China's largest car markets.

Founded in 1997, the non-profit institute is funded by the U.S. and
Chinese governments to promote the development of new clean energy.

&quotThe development of alternative-fuel automobiles is a
significant part of the energy strategy," said Robert Kripowicz, a
former senior official in the U.S. Department of Energy and
co-founder of the center.

Both China and the United States depend heavily on imported
gasoline, and the situation in China will become more serious in the
coming years due to the growing number of people buying their own
car.

China has experienced the world's fastest growth in car demand since
last year, and analysts expect the demand to maintain an annual
growth rate of more than 20 percent for the coming decade.

By making it possible to shift from petroleum to other primary
energy sources, electric automobiles could ease the increasingly
short supply of petroleum and the threat of global warming,
Kripowicz said.

Gas-powered vehicles are the largest source of air pollution today,
accounting for 22 percent of the world's carbon dioxide emissions.

The center has chosen California-based Powerzinc Electric Inc.,
which makes zinc-air fuel cells to power cars in Shanghai, as a
model to propel the commercial use of electric cars.

The company has built a demo car that runs on a zinc-air fuel cells
along with its partner Zhejiang University Electric Vehicle Research
Center. Electric motors with the cell have been sold on the local
market since late last year, but electric cars for commercial use
are still in the research phase.

&quotThe most likely application for zinc-air fuel cells in China is
electric buses, which require stability more than speed," said
Richard Yang, chairman of the company.

Powerzinc and the Zhejiang University lab are in talks with the
bus-making arm of China First Auto-mobile Works - based in Wuxi,
Jiangsu Province - to build up to 400 electric buses to run in
Beijing during the 2008 Olympics.

Even with these new, clean cars on the market, the next challenge is
to make them attractive and affordable for the average consumer, as
well as to ensure there are refueling stations around to serve them,
said He Zuoxiu, a scientist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The Chinese government has pumped one billion yuan (US$121.5
million) into research on electric cars in hopes of developing a
commercial fuel-cell driven car within five years.
Elena Xiao




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EVLN(Sparrow Droppings)
[The Internet Electric Vehicle List News. For Public EV informational
 purposes. Contact publication for reprint rights.]
 --- {EVangel}
http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=01130940
(02:20:57 March 09, 2003)
Sparrow Dropping: Corbin electric car company still short on power
By KATE WOODS The Corbin Sparrow

Times are still tough at Corbin Motors, home of the Sparrow (AW,
April 24, 2000). Remember the Sparrow? It�s best described as a
wacky, enclosed one-seat three-wheeled electric car painted any
color you want as long as it matches a ring of Froot Loops breakfast
cereal. So far, Corbin has made 285 of them.

Problem is 285 is the same number they had nearly a year ago, when
we reported that 215 of those 285 cars didn�t work, requiring
lengthy returns to the factory for new parts. Seventy Sparrows still
sit mothballed at Corbin awaiting new controllers. And Corbin Motors
now faces four lawsuits�three from creditors and one from a Sparrow
dealer. The California Department of Motor Vehicles is �making
inquiries to determine whether an investigation is warranted.� Even
a lengthy Corbin Sparrow chase scene shot for the Austin Powers�
film Goldmember wound up mostly on the cutting room floor.

What�s Corbin doing about all its troubles? Not much different from
what we reported last May. Company president Tom Corbin said the
company is testing a new AC motor and controller and that the 70
stalled Sparrows will be out the door �in the coming months.�

Meanwhile, the company is beta-testing a new hybrid-powered
one-seater called the Merlin Roadster with a V-twin gasoline engine
coupled to an electric drivetrain. Merlin production will begin in
spring and will bring the Hollister, California, company�now $3.8
million in debt�to profitability, Corbin said. Those profits will be
put into an updated Sparrow II, which Corbin says will be a more
streamlined, less problematic version of the original electric
single-seater. The Sparrow II will be ready for production �toward
the second half of this year,� said Corbin.

So that�s very promising, yes? Or is it just a lot of promises? 
Time will tell whether this Sparrow will fly again.





=====
' ____
~/__|o\__
'@----- @'---(=
. http://geocities.com/brucedp/
. EV List Editor & RE newswires
. (originator of the above ASCII art)
=====

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--- Begin Message ---
Since I can't afford to build it all at once I am buying the parts as I can
afford them. When perusing the junk yards, what is a good electrically
driven vacuum pump that I can scavenge for my future EV? It needs to be one
that will put out enough vacuum to operate the brakes on a converted small
pickup like an S-10 of Ranger. I know this info might not be specific enough
but any tips would be appreciated. Thanks guys. 

John Shelton

--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
At 11:16 9/03/03 -0500, you wrote:
>Since I can't afford to build it all at once I am buying the parts as I can
>afford them. When perusing the junk yards, what is a good electrically
>driven vacuum pump that I can scavenge for my future EV? It needs to be one
>that will put out enough vacuum to operate the brakes on a converted small
>pickup like an S-10 of Ranger. I know this info might not be specific enough
>but any tips would be appreciated. Thanks guys. 
>
>John Shelton
>

Browse the disposals sites - I got a couple of vac. pumps, unused ones! For
equivalent of $35US each. Permanent magnet motors, 110V nominal, work fine
down to around 48V, but slower. Thomas brand. 

Apart from that, Volvos and some GMs have (had) auxiliary pumps, probably
lots of others, but I hear they are older models. The US listers can quote
US models for you. 

One possibility if you're technically minded is to get the alternator off a
diesel with the vac pump on it and synthesize three phase 12 (or 24) volts
to drive the alternator as a motor (need to power the field).

Have fun!

James.

--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
On Sun, 2003-03-09 at 02:40, Bruce EVangel Parmenter wrote:
> The center has chosen California-based Powerzinc Electric Inc.,
> which makes zinc-air fuel cells to power cars in Shanghai, as a
> model to propel the commercial use of electric cars.

Call me stupid and uninformed, but I thought zinc-air was a type of
battery, not fuel cell.  Is this a terminology change to make it more
politically correct, or is it really a fuel cell?

Lonnie


--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message --- Maybe John should invite Jay for a ride in his Blue Meanie. Get him hooked on watts. :-)
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message --- At 12:43 AM 3/9/2003 -0800, Bruce EVangel Parmenter wrote:
Meanwhile, the company is beta-testing a new hybrid-powered
one-seater called the Merlin Roadster with a V-twin gasoline engine
coupled to an electric drivetrain. Merlin production will begin in

Well, they got this wrong. The Merlin V-twin is connected to a VW transmission (which they are having problems with - it keeps breaking). No Electric components in sight.


--
John G. Lussmyer      mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Dragons soar and Tigers prowl while I dream....         http://www.CasaDelGato.com

--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Zinc-air is a fuel cell, insofar as it is a mechanically rechargable
battery. The 'fuel' in this case is zinc.

S.

--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Jay Leno's recent comment about a dealer selling an
electric car when gas hits $25/gallon was
irresponsible. The automakers have gone to great
lengths with their PR campaigns to convince people
that not only are battery electric vehicles a bad
idea, but that nobody wants them. It has been a
struggle for them since a survey of Californian's in
the mid 90-s revealed that a vast majority of people
liked the idea. Despite this almost decade long PR
campaign, the truth is that every single electric car
made by the major automakers has been leased (or sold
in one case) immediately to people on waiting lists to
get them. Sadly, only one electric car, Toyota's
Rav4-EV was ever even offered for sale to the general
public. GM's EV1 was never offered for sale to anyone,
despite numerous offers by drivers that went so far as
to release GM from any future liability or maintenance
responsibility. The comment by Mr Leno not only
capitalized on the progress made by the automaker's PR
campaign in some people's minds, but, tragically, lent
it credence as well. Thanks to�this constant
misinformation campaign and a relentless political and
legal campaign waged against a now spineless
California Air Resource Board, we are now at the truly
tragic�point where this board is poised to later this
month eliminate *permanently* any requirements for the
sale of Zero Emission vehicles now or in the future.
�
Is a cheap laugh actually worth the huge price we
continue to pay in terms of air quality, public
health, and national security while we remain a slave
to the oil industry and the internal combustion
engine? You can do better Jay.


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--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Jay Leno: "At $38 a gallon, a dealer actually sells an electric car."

Of course, this could also mean that automakers start offering to sell EVs,
not that people start buying them at this price :-)



----- Original Message -----
From: "Bruce EVangel Parmenter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Saturday, March 08, 2003 11:36 PM
Subject: Re: EV1 insult on Jay Leno


> Jay's EV joke ca be found on
>
http://www.agweb.com/news_show_news_article.asp?nodate=Y&file=AgNewsArticle_
200336743_836&articleid=95872&newscat=AGL
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> =====
> ' ____
> ~/__|o\__
> '@----- @'---(=
> . http://geocities.com/brucedp/
> . EV List Editor & RE newswires
> . (originator of the above ASCII art)
> =====
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Tax Center - forms, calculators, tips, more
> http://taxes.yahoo.com/
>
>

--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Hello to All,

We last left off with my tire smoking unconventional job interview, and my resultant 
new
position as a field service forklift technician-mechanic, but the fun has continued....

My new boss, Kelly, is about my age and is a total riot! He's also very understanding 
and
has been great as a teacher this past week. He and I have hit it off, big time. His 
best
friend, Rick, is the other field service foreman, and he looks and acts like Wilford
Brimley (Eat you Quaker Oats!...it's the right thing to do!), and the interactions 
between
the two of them are worth going to work for...they are absolutely horrible to each 
other,
calling each other names, telling bad stories, and playing practical jokes on each 
other.
Kelly and I were teamed up all of the first week, with the exception of one day that I
went out with Rick.

Kelly is very bright, kind, and funny. He loves electric powered 'stuff', and has even
built and is still working on an EV go kart, but he has had a few conversations with 
me,
where he expressed that even though he knows I have an EV drag car, he felt that 
electric
motors could never really have the kind of power and effortless thrust of a gas engine,
and he's always talking about building a 'Merican hot rod with a big V8. Kelly wasn't
there when I 'applied' for my job, so he only heard about my car's performance. He has
never been rude about his opinion, and always asks me to respond to his comments, as we
find ourselves driving around in the work van together. I've told him, that 
admittedly, we
do push our electric motors and do stress them out on the drag track, but in our street
EVs, the motors loaf along and provide effortless power. I told him all about John 
Bryan's
Ghia, Oat's California Poppy, and a few other cool EVs....still, Kelly wasn't
convinced...until, last night!

I had invited him to stop by sometime to see my EV shop with its electrified toys 
earlier
on in the week, and had quite frankly, forgotten about it, when yesterday, Friday, 
Kelly
asked if he could follow me home. I gave my wife a head's up phone call on my way home 
in
Blue Meanie, and we arrived shortly afterwards.

Kelly was like a little kid when he saw everything, and he was really getting into it. 
He
loved straddling the Heavy Metal Garden Tractor and being thumped by Billy Idol, he
freaked out over the drag car (especially the twin electric motors and that huge Ford 9
inch rear end in back), loved my assortment of scooters, but it was his drive behind 
the
wheel of Blue Meanie that did him in! It was raining pretty good on the test drive, so 
I
warned him that the car would be traction limited...I don't think he really caught the
concept right away.

We pointed the car down through my neighborhood, as I tutored him on how to drive a 
road
going EV that had a healthy dose of horsepower and torque on hand...an interesting role
reversal, as all this week, he's been teaching me how to operate and work on varying
models of electric forklifts, ride and reach machines, stock pickers, etc.. I told him 
to
only use the clutch to change gears and to 'not' feather or slip the clutch to take 
off,
and I told him that with 300 ft. lbs. of torque at the plunge of the 'GO' pedal, to
v-e-r-y carefully ease it down until he got used to it. I also told him he could use 
any
gear to take off with, but that 1st was a waste of time, and that 4th would give just 
'OK'
performance because it was limited by clutch slip with a full-on launch. I suggested 
that
2nd would be 'satisfying'. Kelly learned quickly, and our launch from the house was 
butter
smooth as we rolled off, even if it was at geriatric speeds...at about 10 mph, I said,
"For crying out loud, step on it!" With that Kelly planted his foot down, and Blue 
Meanie
instantly spun its rear tires as we took off cat walking slightly diagonally down the
road. Kelly let up on it, looked over at me, and simply said, "CRAP!!!! I had 'no'
idea!!!" We were now going perhaps 25 mph, so I instructed him to select 3rd gear 
(using
the clutch) and to hammer it hard...he did, and there was instant wheel spin again
(remember, it was raining). I next told him to come to a complete stop, and to take 
off in
4th with about 1/3 throttle. He was amazed at how the car could do that.

We got to Burnside street, and with a completely clear one way stretch of road, I
encouraged him to have fun, and drive anyway he liked. Kelly impressed me with his 
street
racing style, as he launched in 2nd with the perfect amount of throttle to avoid 
massive
wheel spin and yet get the car up to speed quickly, snapped 3rd with the car getting a 
tad
bit sideways accompanied by a huge grin on his face, then a power shift to 4th at 
about 60
mph that broke the tires loose...that, did him in!...."Geessh! It breaks them loose in
4th!" I reminded him that 'it was' raining, but then with total sarcasm, said, "Yeah, 
and
'this'is my slow EV!

We then flew up Mt. Tabor, never bothering to downshift, and that too, impressed 
him...it
was about this time, that I said, "What was that, about electric motors not really 
having
the kind of power and effortless thrust of a gas engine?" Kelly gave a good belly 
laugh,
and apologized profusely. We went west further, then caught the I-84 freeway east 
bound,
and this is where the fun continued. Kelly nailed it hard ramping right up to 70 with
ease, as I urged him to keep the pedal to the metal, but he backed off a bit. Then, 
some
pest in a gas car got in our way, so Kelly pressed down as we rocketed around them and
right up to an 80 mph steady state cruise. Kelly proclaimed, "I would have never 
believed
this....we're flying along at 80, in an electric car! How fast does this damn thing
go?"...I said, "Uh, I really don't know...the speedo only goes up to 100, so once the
needle bangs the peg, it's anyone's guess."

When we had made it back to the Wayland EV Juice Bar and had pulled back to the shop, I
made a big deal about the charging thing, imitating the whining naysayers who seem to
constantly moan about "I don't wanna have to plug it in.", as I opened what used to be 
the
car's gas filler
door, twisted the L6-30 cord into the socket, and flipped on the 240 vac breaker on the
nearby  panel, saying, " Wow, that 'is' hard work...much harder than driving to a gas
station!" Kelly just chuckled.

In the house, he was still going a mile a minute, and talk of a V8 hotrod had faded 
away
as Kelly started to dream up an electric MR2 project to play with. He especially likes 
the
first generation model, the boxy one. He asked if iI thought an
electric MR2 could be built...I just laughed.

I think hanging out with these electric fork lift guys is going to be fun!

See Ya......John Wayland

--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Jay already owns at least one EV - a Sparrow.
But we should probably just let this issue die. He obviously was only saying
these things for a laugh. Can't really be taken seriously.

If he really wanted to get us EVers to laugh, he would have said:
"At $38 a gallon, *even GM would* actually sells an electric car." 

-Ed T

-----Original Message-----
From: Gordon Niessen [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Sunday, March 09, 2003 5:36 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: EV1 insult on Jay Leno


Maybe John should invite Jay for a ride in his Blue Meanie.  Get him hooked 
on watts.  :-)

--- End Message ---

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