[GRLUG] OFF TOPIC Electric Car

[Collin Kidder]

Well, of course that's an optional thing. Some people might want to have 
a generator in case of over estimating their batteries. Other people 
might feel that it's cheating or that it sort of makes the whole thing a 
hybrid. I don't think it'd be a bad idea to have a small, say, 1500watt 
generator in the trunk in case of emergency. After all, you can't call 
someone to bring you 700LB of batteries to bail you out.

Professor Inuyasha wrote:
> Dont forget include GENERATOR!!!!!!!!!
>
> On Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 4:48 PM, Matt Michielsen <matt at michielsen.us> wrote:
>   
>> I'm also very interested.  I think it could be done for under $5000, but
>> that's with doing pretty much all of the work myself.  There are some open
>> source motor controller designs out there that seem pretty decent.  MOSFETs
>> for high amperage cost quite a bit.  I don't think 100HP in necessary
>> though, as you'll have a lot more low-end torque (at least from a DC
>> motor).  The more weight (batteries) you have, the more power you need
>> though, so I'd start with the lightest car possible.
>>
>> The discussion I had with Casey that prompted this thread really got me
>> thinking about this again.  I have several cars that could be used for this
>> project, and have the ability to make a controller.  What I need is a motor
>> or two.  And lots of batteries.
>>
>> I do think we should start a local group for electric/alternative vehicles
>> and start making things happen.
>>
>> -mm
>>
>>