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Date:         Sun, 29 Mar 2015 10:44:58 -0500
Reply-To:     mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: Load vs fuel consumption..
Comments: To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <9RPy1q01e08X5Fr01RQ05L>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Hmmmm...... . On many descents with the camper, I find myself occasionally braking. If the speed is appropriate, I can use the manual transmission to retard the speed. I typically do that on long descents that involve lots of curve.

With the Prius, the energy monitor reveals that the vehicle is storing electrical power on descents, and the engine is not running. I do not have to touch the brake to store power.

On more gradual descents with the camper I do sometimes continue to power the wheels. That is also true with the Prius, but is less often necessary. Of course, hyper miling involves attempting to get as much speed as possible on descents in order to use momentum to run on the level and to ascend. I have never found that to be a useful strategy for me. That may be because of my reluctance to run at very high speeds.

mcneely

---- Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote: > Wind resistance is such a large force to overcome you still use power to get > down most descents. I really see this effect with the motor home. It take > really step hills to require any braking and since it is a Diesel, no > throttle if you need any engine braking you need to activate the exhaust > brake. This makes it real obvious. > > Dennis > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of > David Beierl > Sent: Sunday, March 29, 2015 12:00 AM > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM > Subject: Re: Load vs fuel consumption.. > > At 12:13 PM 3/28/2015, Dennis Haynes wrote: > >the limit of both efficiency and the edge of destruction. Over the > >years I find it common to get differing fuel economy on trips based on > >direction, especially when mountain ranges are involved. Outside temps > >can also mean a difference. > > Every foot of net altitude gain at the end of a trip is you having > dead-lifted the van that high. On the return you turn that potential energy > back into kinetic, minus the usual efficiency tax. Hills on the way with no > net gain or loss cost you only the efficiency tax, unless of course you have > to hang on the motor or use your brakes, in which case you lose some as > direct conversion to low-grade heat. > > Yrs, > d

-- David McNeely


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