Re: Over-unity flames (was: Wind Generators on the Roof again)

[Thomas Shay <tshay@ix.netcom.com>]

Bill Dube' wrote:

>     It's a matter of just being tired of hearing the same crap over and
> over. For whatever reason, when you own an EV, the over-unity nut cases
> hound you like a Jehovah's witness with an Amway franchise. These folks
> don't understand the physics, and refuse to listen when you try to politely
> explain the physics, yet insist that they have a wonderful new idea. EVers
> are just out of patience in this area.

     I don't have this problem.  Over-unity nutcases, Jehovah's Witnessesand
Amway franchisees aren't that numerous where  I live.  It can be a
delight to listen to hopeless  ideas and encourage them to explain   It
also can make their day.  I have no urge to contribute to their education.
If someone believes that a windmill on the roof could help an EV go
farther, that's OK with me.

   Besides, I don't get asked questions about windmills on the roof or
big wheels on the rear.  The questions I hear are more like "Can you
climb hills with all that extra weight?", "How often do you have to
recharge?", "How fast will it go?, etc.


> You wouldn't believe that putting big wheels on the back of the car and small
> wheels on the front would make the car go forever because it was "rolling
> downhill" all the time.

   Please don't make light of this idea.  This was invented by me and a
youngerbrother when he was about 10 and I was about 11.  Actually it was Dad's
suggestion.  We tried different wheels on  various toys to see if the idea
would work.  Sometimes bigger wheels on the back worked and sometimes
it didn't.  Perhaps we failed because of poor testing and measurement
techniques.  We thought that bicycles with 20-inch front wheels and a 26 or
27 outback looked cool and had a few imitators.  One boy insisted that
his bike coasted faster with the smaller front wheel.

Tom Shay