Date:         Fri, 23 May 2003 14:49:02 -0700
Reply-To:     Doktor Tim <doktortim@ROCKISLAND.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Doktor Tim <doktortim@ROCKISLAND.COM>
Subject:      Re: Solar powered vanagon?
Comments: To: "marty c." <martysemail@WIDEOPENWEST.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <qrdtcv49mpkks4f96hi2bf3e90oqsg5ldv@4ax.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

All things are possible. But it is not practical with current technology.
An equivalent hp electric motor will weight more than the stock motor. The
batteries on board to give even a hundred miles range will weigh 3 times
that. You need a whole new suspension design and beef up the chassis. You
would need to stop every hundred miles and lay out a coupla hundred square
feet of solar panels for a day to recharge. Fill the roof with panels and
it will take days of sun for recharge.

You know how much 4/0 copper cable goes for per foot?? You know how many
pounds per foot it weighs??? Too costly and too heavy to be practical at
all. Payload non existent due to net weight in excess of gross maximum
design of the chassis, trans, axles, suspension and steering=very high wear
rates on everything. Many times more expensive than the stock motor.

As a novelty to drive short range around town it might be fun, but only if
you pay for it out of disposable income.

At 05:07 PM 05/23/2003, you wrote:

>Do you think it's possible?
>
>--
>
>marty
>85 GL