Search found 120 matches

by Rattrap
Wed, 14 Aug 2013, 15:38
Forum: Members Machines
Topic: 4Springs' Brumby
Replies: 336
Views: 100403

4Springs' Brumby

i'll have to keep an eye out for you on the road!   :)
by Rattrap
Wed, 23 Jan 2013, 00:09
Forum: General EV Discussion
Topic: Raising the subject of range extending trailers
Replies: 67
Views: 11903

Raising the subject of range extending trailers

I was looking at lightweight generators yesterday, 6.5kw weighed in at just 115kg.
by Rattrap
Wed, 18 Jul 2012, 17:54
Forum: General EV Discussion
Topic: Raising the subject of range extending trailers
Replies: 67
Views: 11903

Raising the subject of range extending trailers

unheardofinstruments this sounds very interesting & something i would love to follow the progress of, please keep us all updated with your progress!
by Rattrap
Tue, 17 Apr 2012, 13:54
Forum: General EV Discussion
Topic: solar power
Replies: 14
Views: 2463

solar power

We had a 3kw system installed here about a year ago. In Tassie the feed in tariff is the lowest in the country, its a straight 1 for 1, 21c per kwh i believe. This has reduced our power bill to around $39 for a quarter. I've estimated that it will take us around 9 years at the current power pricing ...
by Rattrap
Wed, 04 Apr 2012, 00:06
Forum: General EV Discussion
Topic: Proposed: Hybrid Car with Detachable Engine
Replies: 10
Views: 1856

Proposed: Hybrid Car with Detachable Engine

Thanks for that Johny, i didn't know the best way to add links, don't do it a lot here. cheers for fixing it. Regarding downsizing the pack size to similar to the Volt, i was thinking the same thing. If the mirco-turbines could indeed be mass produced pulling the price down & battery packs also ...
by Rattrap
Tue, 03 Apr 2012, 14:41
Forum: General EV Discussion
Topic: Proposed: Hybrid Car with Detachable Engine
Replies: 10
Views: 1856

Proposed: Hybrid Car with Detachable Engine

Heres a new story on a range extending turbine engine, much better idea than a detachable engine! Now if they can squeeze a micro turbine & a 30kw generator into this small car why the **** haven't we seen a range extending trailer? I just don't get it! http://www.thechargingpoint.com/opinions/J...
by Rattrap
Sat, 31 Mar 2012, 16:14
Forum: General EV Discussion
Topic: Proposed: Hybrid Car with Detachable Engine
Replies: 10
Views: 1856

Proposed: Hybrid Car with Detachable Engine

I agree, range extending trailers are the way to go to fill the gap till battery technology reaches the next milestone.
I'm frankly gob smacked that no companies seem to be picking up the idea of range extending trailers, there's a whole industry just waiting to be born....
by Rattrap
Wed, 21 Mar 2012, 22:04
Forum: For Sale/Wanted
Topic: Electric Civic For Sale
Replies: 4
Views: 1000

Electric Civic For Sale

Very tempting, if only i hadn't just bought a caravan...
Seriously tho this is just the sort of conversion that would suit me to a T.
by Rattrap
Mon, 05 Mar 2012, 13:58
Forum: General EV Discussion
Topic: Chevy Volt Meets High Resistance, GM Suspends Sale
Replies: 20
Views: 3066

Chevy Volt Meets High Resistance, GM Suspends Sale

Perhaps it has something to do with GM's $7 mill investment in Envia battery company. As soon as i read this article i thought straight away that these batteries would be perfect for the Volt. Perhaps its just wishful thinking on my part.lol. But a Volt with a triple the range & with half the ba...
by Rattrap
Thu, 22 Dec 2011, 14:38
Forum: EV Motoring
Topic: Nissan LEAF Oz Promo!!!!!
Replies: 25
Views: 5011

Nissan LEAF Oz Promo!!!!!

How much is a kidney worth on the black market, barely used, been a non drinker for the last 25 years..... :)
by Rattrap
Thu, 22 Dec 2011, 02:28
Forum: EV Motoring
Topic: Nissan LEAF Oz Promo!!!!!
Replies: 25
Views: 5011

Nissan LEAF Oz Promo!!!!!

I love the look of the Leaf but yer way over my wallet size. totally gutted but not surprised. Maybe in 5+ years they may come down in price some.....
by Rattrap
Mon, 12 Dec 2011, 21:51
Forum: General EV Discussion
Topic: Raising the subject of range extending trailers
Replies: 67
Views: 11903

Raising the subject of range extending trailers

I quite like that 1 myself. Quite nifty, easy to drive/tow/park. Allround winner in my eyes.
by Rattrap
Wed, 07 Dec 2011, 01:00
Forum: General EV Discussion
Topic: Raising the subject of range extending trailers
Replies: 67
Views: 11903

Raising the subject of range extending trailers

Also it weighs 350 pounds/ 158kg. Thats about the weight of 2 adults, the Leaf is a 4 seater so while the added weight would be felt for sure but it wouldn't be insurmountable.
by Rattrap
Wed, 07 Dec 2011, 00:56
Forum: General EV Discussion
Topic: Raising the subject of range extending trailers
Replies: 67
Views: 11903

Raising the subject of range extending trailers

Theres a vast difference between that 20kw trailer & the 1 i originally posted behind the Rav4EV. I wouldn't go near that Kabota monster but I'd happily tow the Long Ranger behind my imaginary Nissan Leaf
Image
by Rattrap
Fri, 04 Nov 2011, 00:31
Forum: General EV Discussion
Topic: Raising the subject of range extending trailers
Replies: 67
Views: 11903

Raising the subject of range extending trailers

I think your right, its a simple matter of market pressure either that or there's some sort of legal issue regarding having an engine running in a trailer while moving. The trailer is the perfect place for it, why haul around all that extra weight when 90% of the time you won't need to. The RXT-G tr...
by Rattrap
Tue, 01 Nov 2011, 14:26
Forum: General EV Discussion
Topic: Raising the subject of range extending trailers
Replies: 67
Views: 11903

Raising the subject of range extending trailers

That is exactly the type of range extender i have been talking about Glenn. Viable? i believe so, check out the links i posted earlier, its a detailed study of the concept. http://forums.aeva.asn.au/uploads/220/Low_Emiss_Range_Ext_149.pdf http://www.evnut.com/rav_longranger.htm I have not been able ...
by Rattrap
Wed, 14 Sep 2011, 02:28
Forum: General EV Discussion
Topic: Raising the subject of range extending trailers
Replies: 67
Views: 11903

Raising the subject of range extending trailers

Not that i'm aware of Terry.
by Rattrap
Sun, 04 Sep 2011, 15:30
Forum: General EV Discussion
Topic: Raising the subject of range extending trailers
Replies: 67
Views: 11903

Raising the subject of range extending trailers

I wonder why the Volt rates so lowly on fuel consumption? As far as the EV portion of the car, from what i understand an electric motor has about a 85% plus energy to locomotion transfer. Is the generation of electrical energy via a generator so inefficient? I would have thought using an ICE to crea...
by Rattrap
Sun, 04 Sep 2011, 15:18
Forum: General EV Discussion
Topic: Raising the subject of range extending trailers
Replies: 67
Views: 11903

Raising the subject of range extending trailers

I downloaded this report on range extender trailers a while back & only just found it again, its an interesting breakdown on the subject. Some of it is a little over my head but still an interesting read.

Low_Emiss_Range_Ext_149.pdf
by Rattrap
Wed, 31 Aug 2011, 16:19
Forum: General EV Discussion
Topic: Raising the subject of range extending trailers
Replies: 67
Views: 11903

Raising the subject of range extending trailers

Series hybrids = range extended EV, got it. lol. As to my driving needs, on an average fortnight we normally do 1 trip to Launceston or Devenport per fortnight & maybe 6 trips to Hobart a year. 90% of our driving is well within the range of Leaf which is why i was so interested in an EV. Add to ...
by Rattrap
Tue, 30 Aug 2011, 15:12
Forum: General EV Discussion
Topic: Raising the subject of range extending trailers
Replies: 67
Views: 11903

Raising the subject of range extending trailers

Hi all, I'd like to once again raise the subject of range extending trailers. In particular i am talking about small efficient diesel gen sets mounted on very small trailers like this; http://www.evnut.com/rav_longranger.htm With all the EV motoring hype about these days, at least in Europe & th...
by Rattrap
Wed, 24 Aug 2011, 23:45
Forum: EV Motoring
Topic: Top Gear drive the Leaf & iOn
Replies: 4
Views: 1531

Top Gear drive the Leaf & iOn

I was reading this morning that when Nissan got the Leaf back & downloaded all the travel data it turned out that the top gear team had in fact partially discharged the battery pack just to dramatize the show & to show what happens when an ev runs out of electricity.   I was gobsmacked when ...
by Rattrap
Fri, 01 Jul 2011, 15:10
Forum: Technical and conversion discussion
Topic: Toyota RAV4 - EV ? Any Thoughts ?
Replies: 7
Views: 2475

Toyota RAV4 - EV ? Any Thoughts ?

I was talking to the guys from Tesla when they were in Tasmania for the Targa, he mentioned that Tesla was going into some sort of partnership with Toyota to produce a Rav4 EV. So if they think its a good idea then go for it!
by Rattrap
Sat, 09 Apr 2011, 00:37
Forum: EV Motoring
Topic: Tesla Roadster in Targa Tasmania!
Replies: 2
Views: 1643

Tesla Roadster in Targa Tasmania!

I got to pop down today while the roadster was in for a charge. Sweeet looking ride, really well finished - as you would expect for $225k on the road. Great couple of guys only too happy to answer my questions & show off the car. I also had time to pop down to watch the roadster put thru its pac...