Electric Car Conversion Companies: Alternatives To Gas Powered Cars

"Harry K" wrote in message
...
On Nov 26, 7:43 am, "Bill Daniels" bildan@comcast-dot-net wrote:
"IO-540" wrote in message

...





On Sun, 25 Nov 2007 14:34:48 -0800 (PST),
wrote:

Electric cars are not an unrealistic space age creation. Electric
cars were created way back in the 1900s when gasoline was so expensive
that consumers could not afford to fill their vehicles. Sound
familiar? During this time period there were more electric cars on
the road than gas powered cars. Unfortunately, research into creating
electric cars as the mainstream vehicle was pushed aside when cheaper
ways to produce oil were found. So where can a consumer go to create
their own electric car? There are electric car conversion companies
willing to assist in this pursuit. Discount Auto
Partshttp://www.behot.us

I saw something on TV about that, they showed this guy who took older
small cars like Triumph Spitfires, and converted them to electric. And
they were nothing fancy, just glorified golf carts with more speed and
batteries. I'd love one for just getting around my area, especially
since I don't have to travel that far. I wonder how much it would cost
to charge one up after the batteries were depleted? I'll bet it's
cheaper than the gas would cost. It would doubt take a large bank of
deep cycle marine type batteries, which aren't cheap, but not all that
expensive either. They have them at Walmart for about the same as
start batteries for cars.

Before trying a DIY car conversion, try a motorcycle. Converting a
motorcycle to electric is much easier, cheaper and generally more
successful.

Bill D- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

When it comes to practical transporation, a motorcycle, scooter, etc.
ranks only slightly better than a bike. Maybe in the south where year-
round use is possible (although not comfortable in the winter) and if
you don't want to carry anything sizeable.

Harry K

Somewhat overstated, Harry.

I ride a 1000cc Kawasaki Concours sport touring bike in Colorado. It's 28
degrees outside right now and I plan to ride it to lunch adding only a
flight jacket and helmet.

Any temperature above freezing is comfortable once the engine warms up since
the engine heat is captured in a bubble behind the fairing. My feet stay
downright toasty. It's actually less comfortable in mid summer.

The two huge hardside luggage boxes easily hold a weeks clothing. I do 99%
of my shopping with the bike. My SUV rarely gets used.

My average is 60 MPG and with 7.5 gallons in the tank, that's a long ways
between fillups. Of course at 80 mph on the interstates, it's more like
47MPG.

I'd buy an electric motorcycle like the Vectrix Thrust in a heartbeat.
See:Http://www.bsmotoring.com/bsm/wcms/e...07-071123.html
(scroll down near the bottom of the page)

Bill D

On Nov 26, 10:00 am, "Bill Daniels" bildan@comcast-dot-net wrote:
"Harry K" wrote in message

...





On Nov 26, 7:43 am, "Bill Daniels" bildan@comcast-dot-net wrote:
"IO-540" wrote in message

. ..

On Sun, 25 Nov 2007 14:34:48 -0800 (PST),
wrote:

Electric cars are not an unrealistic space age creation. Electric
cars were created way back in the 1900s when gasoline was so expensive
that consumers could not afford to fill their vehicles. Sound
familiar? During this time period there were more electric cars on
the road than gas powered cars. Unfortunately, research into creating
electric cars as the mainstream vehicle was pushed aside when cheaper
ways to produce oil were found. So where can a consumer go to create
their own electric car? There are electric car conversion companies
willing to assist in this pursuit. Discount Auto
Partshttp://www.behot.us

I saw something on TV about that, they showed this guy who took older
small cars like Triumph Spitfires, and converted them to electric. And
they were nothing fancy, just glorified golf carts with more speed and
batteries. I'd love one for just getting around my area, especially
since I don't have to travel that far. I wonder how much it would cost
to charge one up after the batteries were depleted? I'll bet it's
cheaper than the gas would cost. It would doubt take a large bank of
deep cycle marine type batteries, which aren't cheap, but not all that
expensive either. They have them at Walmart for about the same as
start batteries for cars.

Before trying a DIY car conversion, try a motorcycle. Converting a
motorcycle to electric is much easier, cheaper and generally more
successful.

Bill D- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

When it comes to practical transporation, a motorcycle, scooter, etc.
ranks only slightly better than a bike. Maybe in the south where year-
round use is possible (although not comfortable in the winter) and if
you don't want to carry anything sizeable.

Harry K

Somewhat overstated, Harry.

I ride a 1000cc Kawasaki Concours sport touring bike in Colorado. It's 28
degrees outside right now and I plan to ride it to lunch adding only a
flight jacket and helmet.

Any temperature above freezing is comfortable once the engine warms up since
the engine heat is captured in a bubble behind the fairing. My feet stay
downright toasty. It's actually less comfortable in mid summer.

The two huge hardside luggage boxes easily hold a weeks clothing. I do 99%
of my shopping with the bike. My SUV rarely gets used.

My average is 60 MPG and with 7.5 gallons in the tank, that's a long ways
between fillups. Of course at 80 mph on the interstates, it's more like
47MPG.

I'd buy an electric motorcycle like the Vectrix Thrust in a heartbeat.
See:Http://www.bsmotoring.com/bsm/wcms/e...how2007-071123...
(scroll down near the bottom of the page)

Bill D- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I agree with ya in the efficiency of a motorcycle. I live in Jackson
Hole and cool weather is a treat over hot summers. One thing you
didn't mention is you hit one patch of ice on that bike and you will
be sporting some extensive road rash, or worse...

On Mon, 26 Nov 2007 23:42:25 -0800 (PST), stol
wrote:

snip
I agree with ya in the efficiency of a motorcycle. I live in Jackson
Hole and cool weather is a treat over hot summers. One thing you
didn't mention is you hit one patch of ice on that bike and you will
be sporting some extensive road rash, or worse...

I once laid my old Harley down right in front of a school buss. The
tires on that old (I did say old) Harley were about as smooth as the
top of my head is now. I hit the rear brake and the motorcycle sorta
turned and rolled to the left. (Those old roll bars really did work
g) and left me sitting on top right side of the frame as it slide
down the pavement tires first. It was just that looking at the grill
of that school buss about 6 feet from my nose made me a bit nervous.
Fortunately the roll bars didn't slow me as fast as the brakes slowed
the school buss. We all came to a stop, I stood it back up and headed
for home. No injuries other than a bit of chrome off the left roll
bar...and my nerves. :-))

Roger (K8RI)

"Roger (K8RI)" wrote

(Those old roll bars really did work
g) and left me sitting on top right side of the frame as it slide
down the pavement tires first. No injuries other than a bit of chrome off
the left roll
bar...and my nerves. :-))

Been there, done that!

As I recall, I needed a new clutch lever, too. Amazing how much aluminum
can be ground off, during a 5 second slide along the asphalt! g
--
Jim in NC

Morgans wrote:

"Roger (K8RI)" wrote


(Those old roll bars really did work
g) and left me sitting on top right side of the frame as it slide
down the pavement tires first. No injuries other than a bit of chrome off
the left roll
bar...and my nerves. :-))


Been there, done that!

As I recall, I needed a new clutch lever, too. Amazing how much aluminum
can be ground off, during a 5 second slide along the asphalt! g

Or skin...

"cavelamb himself" wrote

Or skin...

Oh, I did forget to mention that, didn't I? g

Yes, there was some skin lost. I think I picked up the equivalent weight of
gravel, ect., in exchange, so I *think* I ended up about even. ;-)

It was the only time I ever dropped a bike, in a big way.

First ride of the spring, in the first spring owning a bike, in the first
year I lived in Southern Ohio.

I took off down my favorite curving, fun, winding back-road.

I lined up, and picked the perfect line around the first major curve. About
half way through it, I realized I was about to be in big trouble. You see,
in Northern Ohio, where I grew up, they used straight salt on the roads.
After the snow melted, and it rained a couple times, there was nothing left
on the road but some white stains. In Southern Ohio, they use mainly slag
(burnt coal crunched up a bit larger than sand) with a little salt mixed in
when needed, and there was still a lot on the road, between where the tires
hit the road in the lanes.

My perfect line was about to take me through that pile of slag in the middle
of the lane, and I quickly calculated how the reduced coefficient of
friction would impact my ability to track the corner. The result of the
calculation said I was going to be *significantly* short of successfully
navigating the corner.

I decided the best thing to do was reducing my speed as much as possible
before I hit the road. (so it would hurt less) I straightened up, and
grabbed a boot full of rear brake, and a hand full of front brake, as much
as I thought I could, then backed off at the edge of the road, and tried to
turn. The important word in that sentence was "tried."

I dropped it at probably 35 or 40 MPH when I went down, and slid over the
right side of the lane, and through the shoulder, and into the grass beside
the road. After muttering a few choice words and looking around to see if
anyone saw me, (that is the first thing that all bike riders do when they
drop it, isn't it?) I picked it up, and rode back home to pick the gravel
and slag out of my knee, elbow and shoulder.

I decided to avoid doing that in the future. g

I think many people that fly also like to ride, because of the feeling of
banking through the corners, and the challenge of doing something that not
everyone does, and doing it with as much precision as possible while pushing
the limits a little bit.

I have not owned a bide for about 20 years, although I do get to ride my
son's crotch rocket a few times a year. It isn't the same as a cruiser,
though. I think I like the cruiser better, all things considered. With the
crunch of gas prices now, I may have to think about picking up an older
cruiser that would get me a better mileage per gallon than the 20 my mini
van gets, or the 13 my 3/4 ton van gets.

I had always said that it was a fool's chase, trying to come out money ahead
by driving a motorcycle, once you consider the cost of the bike and
insurance, ect, but I think gas at 3 bucks a gallon may make that equation
come out a little more favorably.

I think the electric car chase may be a fool's chase, too, at least for a
lot of people, after purchase cost and depreciation are figured in, and
especially so if it is necessary to keep another large vehicle for working.
--
Jim in NC

On Wed, 28 Nov 2007 00:25:55 -0500, "Morgans"
wrote:


"Roger (K8RI)" wrote

(Those old roll bars really did work
g) and left me sitting on top right side of the frame as it slide
down the pavement tires first. No injuries other than a bit of chrome off
the left roll
bar...and my nerves. :-))

Been there, done that!

As I recall, I needed a new clutch lever, too. Amazing how much aluminum
can be ground off, during a 5 second slide along the asphalt! g


Clutch lever? I said that Harley was "Old":-)) Not one of those
modern ones.

Roger (K8RI)

"Roger (K8RI)" wrote

Clutch lever? I said that Harley was "Old":-)) Not one of those
modern ones.

OK, I give up.

So old that it didn't have a transmission? g

How did you work the clutch? I'm not familiar with "old as dirt" Harleys.
--
Jim in NC

Morgans wrote:
"Roger (K8RI)" wrote

Clutch lever? I said that Harley was "Old":-)) Not one of those
modern ones.

OK, I give up.

So old that it didn't have a transmission? g

How did you work the clutch? I'm not familiar with "old as dirt" Harleys.

Foot operated clutch and a tank shifter. I never had a tank shifter,
but did ride a panhead with a jockey shift (hand shift behind the seat).

Charles