On Mon, May 26, 2008 at 11:35:03AM -0400, Peter wrote: > Byron Jeff clayton.edu> writes: > > My goal is to build something that I can afford. I battle with the guys on > > the DIYEV list all day long about investing tens of thousands of dollars > > into lithium batteries. But it's an investment that doesn't make sense to me. > > So don't buy lithium. But why buy an immense golf cart battery stack? It > will work for sure,... I presume you mean why not buy the golf cart battery stack? That's exactly my game plan. > > Can't store a battery bank at work, which is the only logical place to > > swap. The bottom line is that I'm stuck carrying the bank around. > > Why is it the only logical place to swap? And why swap if you only have > one set? Swapping is an idea to keep in mind. Today you swap lead acid, > tomorrow lithium or who knows what. You have to start somewhere, why not > start small and see where it is going. You probably needed to keep the context of the poster that asked the question. Let me see if I can add it back in... Here it is... --------------------------------------- > The law of diminishing returns kicks in fast if you end up with a ton of > batteries lugged around for no good reason. The best way is to use a > battery as small as possible and change it often (with another freshly > charged one). In the 70s and 80s there were trials with such changeable > packs for public transportation (electric bus). At the time they did not > catch on. --------------------------------------- As I stated, not an option. > > > > Available data suggests 20-100 km range for curb weight << 1 ton. > > > > I'm well aware. The challenge is that to carry enough lead to get a useful > > range, you exceed the GVWR of the vehicle. > > > > Trucks are designed to carry that kind of weight. > > True, they are also designed not to drive very fast and fuel efficiency > was not quite so high on the priority list for US pickups afaik. Most > electric cars aren't speed cars either. They can be if you make them light enough. But not my priority. I'll tackle the rest of the post later. BAJ -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist