Date:         Mon, 16 Mar 2009 13:47:12 -0400
Reply-To:     Allan Streib <streib@CS.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Allan Streib <streib@CS.INDIANA.EDU>
Subject:      Re: eBus project: A T2 Westfalia converted with electric motor
              and LiIon batteries.
Comments: To: Poppie Jagersand <poppie.jagersand@YAHOO.CA>
In-Reply-To:  <890018.20024.qm@web45302.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> (Poppie Jagersand's
              message of "Mon\, 16 Mar 2009 10\:05\:25 -0700")
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Poppie Jagersand <poppie.jagersand@YAHOO.CA> writes:

>> 7. For us not as lucky to live in Sunny California (how does one get
>> heat)... something many air cooled owners are use to!
>
> A gas motor converts only 10-20% of the fuel energy into mechanical
> motion in average driving. The rest can be used for heat at no extra
> cost. Most is wasted and just vented through the radiator. With an
> electric vehicle there is almost no loss. Motors are around 90%
> efficient. Any heat has to be taken "extra" off the batteries, hence
> reduce range. Best solution is to insulate the vehicle well, pre-heat
> it while plugged in and charging, then only add as little heat as
> possible. There are electric units to replace the heater core with in
> the car, or one could use an electric water heater (VW TDI's have
> these to speed up engine heating at cold start), heat the water, and
> pass it through the regular heating system.

Might be feasible to have an on-board propane or kerosene-fired heater,
for purposes of heating the passenger area, these can be very efficient.

Allan
--
1991 Vanagon GL