55 Fargo Posted July 22, 2008 Report Posted July 22, 2008 Hi all, yesterday on Trans Canada Hwy #1 between Winnipeg Manitoba and Portage Manitoba, we spotted a solar powered test vehicle. It looked like a little UFO, was going about 40 mph, it had a pilot vehicle and a trailing vehicle, all from the University Of Michigan. My 6 yo son , really thought it was a UFO landing onto the highway, the driver of this rig had on a suit and helmet, my Son said look Dad a space alien is driving that little UFO. Apparently they are there way to Calgary Alberta, was nice to see this vehicle going down the highway............Fred Quote
BobT-47P15 Posted July 22, 2008 Report Posted July 22, 2008 They do a lot of work with those solar vehicles down here at Crowder college in Neosho, MO. They have a race between several colleges to test the handling and endurance of the cars. Usually kinda weird looking little critters. Maybe someday it will translate into something useful for everyone. Quote
kevinanderson Posted July 22, 2008 Report Posted July 22, 2008 i passed them just south of sioux city, ia. on wed. around noon. Quote
greg g Posted July 22, 2008 Report Posted July 22, 2008 HMMMMM solar powered vehicle no fule used escort car 25mpg Service truck 14mpg AVG mpg of three vehicle 13 mpg Guess it OK for an academic excercise training the egineers and designers for tomorrow. but untill they can get them to carry more than one at more than40mph, and on something more substantial then bicycle wheels, they got a lotta work to do. I think the intermediate answer is something like a 4place small car (old civic sized) 1100 to 1300 cc turbocharged engine made of composits, with (though I hate driving them) a CVT with OD. Had a buddy with a Turbo Suzuki Swift (think chevy metro) went like stink got about 43 mpg and was a hoot to drive. Quote
55 Fargo Posted July 22, 2008 Author Report Posted July 22, 2008 Greg, your right, this technology in the Transportation Industry, is in it's infancy. But look at technological advances over the last 30 years, things can change quickly. So I do believe we could see a alternative to fossil fuel for cars in the not oo distant future, what that maybe, is still a mystery Quote
PatS.... Posted July 23, 2008 Report Posted July 23, 2008 Maybe the Stanley Steamer could make a comeback? Our University of Calgary solar powered car came in 6th, University of Michigan were the winners. http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20080722/CGY_solar_finish_080722/20080722/?hub=CalgaryHome Quote
55 Fargo Posted July 23, 2008 Author Report Posted July 23, 2008 Just plug in the little 6 engine, it's battery storage unit charges, and away you go.hehehheheheh. This is my 228 long block engine from a 1955 Fargo Truck, it was run on a regular basis till 3 years ago. It may go into the 47 someday when my current engine dies out, or I may buy a 265 from a local farmer, and use that.......Fred Quote
blueskies Posted July 23, 2008 Report Posted July 23, 2008 Just plug in the little 6 engine... I had one 'o them electric flatheads for a while, but I found that I didn't have enough cord to get far... Pete Quote
62rebelP23 Posted July 24, 2008 Report Posted July 24, 2008 overheard a conversation Tuesday between two guys discussing their trucks and the dismal mileage they get. one started talking about doing a "restomod" of an older car and putting new tech running gear in; the other guy said it cost too much for the return, and the first said it was a moot point, he couldn't afford a new vehicle of any kind anyway. while my little 218 is running fine, i'm still cooking up a plan to electrify it one of these days. couldn't imagine a better platform to use IMHO; a frame better than a 1/2 ton pickup, a roomy body and comfortable interior. kinda like the idea of (relatively) silently gliding past onlookers when driving! Quote
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