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370 comments on DrumBeat: June 16, 2008

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Black_Dog on June 16, 2008 - 9:39am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

There are lots of possibilities for high mpg vehicles using aerodynamics. There's also the man powered vehicles, which are bicycles (or trikes) with aerodynamic shells. I built a shell around a small 100cc motorcycle and managed to do 235 mpg on the freeway at 55 mph. And in that effort, I never got around to optimizing the engine. Other similar efforts produced over 400 mpg running on a closed track.

http://www.craigvetter.com/pages/470MPG/470MPG%20Main.html

http://www.craigvetter.com/pages/470MPG/high%20mileage%20fairing.html

Of course, these bikes aren't going to pass crash tests and the typical SUV driver isn't going to be happy riding on one. But, for the lunatic fringe, there's always a way...

E. Swanson

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Substrate on June 16, 2008 - 2:09pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

The typical SUV driver faced with the choice of one of these, a bicycle, or the bus - will likely grumble and curse under their breath, then quickly accept them if they're the only option. As far as crash worthiness - if the SUV cold war is over perhaps it won't matter as much, and they (should and/or could) be much safer than motorcycles.

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Todd on June 17, 2008 - 12:19am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

I don't know why I'm even wasting my time posting this. It's late and there are already an unreadable 300+ posts.

A lot of boondocks people like me will switch to wood gas/biogas. It is a cheap and proven technology. With appropriate pretreatment of the "gas", the engine will last a long time and not varnish out.

This was discussed on TOD, what, 3 years ago?

Todd

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karlof1 on June 17, 2008 - 1:16am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Hi Todd--Seems to me we discussed constructing the fermenter, collector and processor all that while back--a different kind of still. I'm glad you decided to post because it spurs the little grey cells, yes!

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370 comments on DrumBeat: June 16, 2008

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