I haven't been in the forum for a few months since gasoline went so high because I thought we could never ever full-time in the future but yesterday when watching the local news (KOAM-TV) so I could get the weather report so that I could paint (expecting rain, rain, rain) they had a short clip of a man, a Professor Frank and it seemed like he was in California and someone was interviewing him. He had been working on a way to convert the cars in your driveway to a hybrid and started 30 years ago. Ten years ago he went to GM and Ford with his idea and he said they said "Who would want to do that?" so now he says that he wants to open shops across the country starting in like a year and they could do this conversion in about one hour - he didn't discuss cost but still, what an idea. We looked a little on the internet but didn't find much and of course they covered all the corny local stories again in the evening but not this one. I would sure like to find more details on this. I feel confident that the government will try to stop this - I told my husband they probably didn't run the story again because they probably shut him down and buried him in cement (is that a joke, you decide). I want to get more information and start writing my government officials to give this guy the boost he will probably need to get this going. Does anybody have any information sources? I think I will write KOAM-TV in Pittsburg, KS and see if they can tell me where the story came from. On the home front: garden is doing well because we have had tons of rain, we have fire ants and live by a "wash" so no matter how much we treat I still get bitten when I mow twice a week, husband's job is crappy and the program my son is in is a barely gets him by deal so, boy, that story about gasoline made my day and now if Professor Frank can just push that forward...Cathy

Professor Frank?

quote:

so now he says that he wants to open shops across the country starting in like a year and they could do this conversion in about one hour -

This I have to see! To convert is perhaps possible, but in one hour? Sounds like one more fuel saving scam to me.

quote:

I feel confident that the government will try to stop this -

Are you serious? For what reason?

Biker 56: Yes, he was the one on the news. Kirk: Don't you remember the 70's when they were talking electric cars and saving the planet? I was in a showroom for electric cars in the early 70's in Elkart, IN with my dad. The government is no longer a government of the people but of special interest groups and that is why fuel is high in the first place. Where we are right now with the economy should never have happened in the first place. They were making the cars much more fuel efficient and what happened? Special interest groups! Trusting the government to look after your interests? How's that working for you? Cathy

Sitting in my 40' MH and watching the news I cannot help but think what a profound impact an EC conversion would have on the world. I suspect the technology is here. Retrofitting a battery pack and electric motor in a cost effective manner to currently owned private vehicles would upset the world order! In the 70's we did not have the computer advantage we have today. Why not make America great again taking the lead in energy?
Phil

quote:

They were making the cars much more fuel efficient and what happened?

Every year the most efficient cars from each manufacturer have become more and more fuel efficient. The problem is that until the recent fuel price spike hardly anyone would buy them.

Did you know the original Model T got 20mpg...
Compare to the newest F-150

At one time a majority NYC Taxi's were electric.

I get angry everytime I see a car ad and they say
gets 28-33mpg!! big deal thats nothing, I have a 9 year old car that gets 34 on the highway and about 26 around town..
I want to see a car ad that WOWs me..

If you want a fuel efficient car and not
break the bank on repairs or hybrid technology
look to the early 90's VW TDI engines 50+ mpg
out of the box.. parts are cheap too.
and if you want it more economical, start burning used veggie oil.

quote:

Originally posted by brookside:
I feel confident that the government will try to stop this ...Cathy

Just the opposite. Actually, DARPA is funding several research contracts aimed at building heavy vehicle hybrids for military use. If that technology was readily available today they would be doing it, not researching it.

There are a lot of aspects of this story that we aren't given, but IF Dr. Frank's deal was reasonable and IF his technology was truly feasible, I seriously doubt that Ford and GM would turn it down. Even if they did, Toyota would have snatched it up years ago. Having been in research and development for years, believe me, there is no vast conspiricy to keep real improvements from the public.

The major reason that the Japanese are kicking our behinds in pursuit of more fuel efficient vehicles is a vastly superior research and development program.

quote:

Sitting in my 40' MH and watching the news I cannot help but think what a profound impact an EC conversion would have on the world. I suspect the technology is here. Retrofitting a battery pack and electric motor in a cost effective manner to currently owned private vehicles would upset the world order!

If you get what you want you will not be traveling in any 40' motorhome!

quote:

Did you know the original Model T got 20mpg...

It also traveled at a top speed of 30 mph and was worn out by 20,000 miles of travel. It could carry a max. load of 500# and had no windshield wipers, air conditioner, self-starter or most of the other things we all want.

quote:

Did you know the original Model T got 20mpg...

It also had a top speed of about 30 mph and it was worn out by the time it was driven 20K miles! And it also had a max load capacity of about 500#.

You actually believe that with Ford & GM struggling to stay profitable they would not introduce this magic car that gets amazing mileage or runs on something other than gasoline if they had one?

It is so easy to blame all of our problems on government! That way we can avoid taking any responsibility for the problems of this country.

Hybrids are coming and are long over due but we just don't buy such things until forced to do so. Take a hard look at what vehicles were selling best in the USA up to the recent rise in fuel prices. The big selling vehicles were things like SUV's and trucks and Hummers. That really shows why

"At one time a majority NYC Taxi's were electric."

Could you provide a cite for that?

As to wanting more efficient internal combustion engine autos, the IC engine has a limit as to efficiency. We are presently very, very close to that limit.

The reason mileages are increasing is that safely measures are being forsaken to reduce weight. Sure you can get 75MPG in a tin can but Heaven help you if you are hit broadside or are in a high speed freeway accident. You lose.

I am waiting for the first wind or coal or nuke powered auto.

How about this as a charger using water and air to continuously charge an electric? Read the whole article, pretty interesting if it proves out.

http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20080613/153276/

quote:

I am waiting for the first wind or coal or nuke powered auto.

Wind Car

Wind Car 2

Hydrogen Cars

Coal Car

No doubt about it! We do need to find alternative energy sources. That is the one good thing about current fuel prices. It should go a long way toward getting things moving in that direction.

Perhaps I should have included the words "practical" and "affordable".