Re: Newbie wants grin :(

[Lee Hart <leeahart@earthlink.net>]

Thomas J Webster wrote:
> If I could get a way with 50 mile charge at 25 miles per hour I'd
> really consider building it.

Range is determined by how much fuel you carry. Double the size of your
tank, and you double your range. Simple as that.

In an EV, your batteries are your gas tank. Unfortunately they hold a
lot less energy per pound than gasoline. For plain old lead-acid
batteries, figure on 500 lbs = 1 gallon of gasoline.

So, if you put 500 lbs of batteries in your model T, it's like having 1
gallon of gasoline on-board. How far could it go on one gallon; 25
miles?

To go 50 miles on a charge, you have two choices; increase vehicle
efficiency, or add more batteries. Efficiency could be increased with a
more efficient motor, better controller, lower rolling resistance tires,
special driving techniques, etc.

Or you could put 2 gallons = 1000 lbs of batteries on board. If you can
do this, then you can easily make 50 miles on a charge.

>From what I remember of my grandfather's model T pickup, it was very
light (probably under 1000 lbs) and could carry an amazing amount of
weight (though not exactly "safely"). I remember him hauling a ton of
firewood with it, with the springs bent flat.
-- 
Lee A. Hart                Ring the bells that still can ring
814 8th Ave. N.            Forget your perfect offering
Sartell, MN 56377 USA      There is a crack in everything
leeahart_at_earthlink.net  That's how the light gets in - Leonard Cohen