On March 20th, I participated in the RubeRally. Today I took the pictures off my camera. You can read the full coverage at http://judebert.com/EV/RubeRally.html, but I'm posting the pictures of Silent E here. I provide 800x600, with links to big 3 megapixel pictures.
I blew up one battery before the race was over. But it didn't seem to do any lasting damage. I took second place! First place was a compressed natural gas car; since this was supposed to be for alternative fuels, I could argue that they should be disqualified, but...
No pics of the race?? Was it like an autocross? What was the deal with the Rav4?
So many questions! Looks like a good time...
No, not really a performance thing at all. More of a visibility thing. "Hey, did you know cars can run on stuff other than gas?"
The rally was more like a scavenger hunt. You drove their pre-planned route, kept your eyes open, and answered the questions on their little quiz sheet. If you were observant enough, and knew enough about ecology, you could answer all the questions. Whoever answered the most won.
The RAV4 was converted to electric, just like my Wagon. With a lot of differences:
I cut the floor under the rear seat and hung a box beneath it, with the bottom even with the lowest point on the car. He just welded a metal frame under the car, with the bottom about an inch above the ground. [/*:m:6fokwm4m]
I added a battery meter in the little triangle on the left of the instrument cluster, in plain sight but with the wires running through a hidden hole in the dash, leaving the rest of the dashboard unmodified. He mounted a meter over the steering wheel column, with the wires running around the column, and cut the dash to put two battery meters and a two-knob selector switch under the radio.[/*:m:6fokwm4m]
I mounted my charger in the spare tire well, out of sight and bolted down. He's still experimenting with different charging methods, so he's got four or five different chargers tossed in the trunk, with a rat's nest of wires around. This isn't such a big deal to me, since it's still a work in progress.[/*:m:6fokwm4m]
I used a 9" diameter motor. He used a 7" diameter motor. I should be able to handle more heat, but it's harder to get the motor in and out. Additionally, his engine bay is a lot bigger than mine, and he hasn't tried to jam as much stuff in there.[/*:m:6fokwm4m]
All in all, I think I win on aesthetics, with some significant advantages in durability and functionality. But he wins on battery charging capability, ease of access, and expense.
Wow, You went from green to greener. Lol i love it. This is a very nice build. That's very nice. Hats off to you man. This is by far best thing that i have seen done to the wagon.
Wow! I'd love to do a version 2 of this on my 91 with Lithium batteries of some sort.... when they cost a bit less. Perhaps less bulky batteries could leave the 4wd intact as well.
Comments
Not for much longer though....
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6945732.stm
thanks for posting -- I really loved your thread judebert
My friend Clark brought his flatbed trailer and pickup to tow the car there. It's nearly the same color as my car, so we looked like a real team!
http://judebert.com/progress/media/photos/2010/RubeRally/loading001-big.JPG
http://judebert.com/progress/media/photos/2010/RubeRally/loading002-big.JPG
http://judebert.com/progress/media/photos/2010/RubeRally/loading003-big.JPG
http://judebert.com/progress/media/photos/2010/RubeRally/loading004-big.JPG
People just love looking at Silent E.
http://judebert.com/progress/media/photos/2010/RubeRally/onlookers-big.JPG
My brother showed up!
http://judebert.com/progress/media/photos/2010/RubeRally/bro-big.JPG
Here we are lined up for the rally.
http://judebert.com/progress/media/photos/2010/RubeRally/lineup001-big.JPG
http://judebert.com/progress/media/photos/2010/RubeRally/lineup002-big.JPG
Halfway through the race, I plugged in to recharge. I brought along a little outlet tester for just such an emergency. This is the first time I've ever "warcharged" -- that is, plugged in without explicit permission. I find it fitting that the outlet was in a flower bed.
http://judebert.com/progress/media/photos/2010/RubeRally/charging002-big.JPG
http://judebert.com/progress/media/photos/2010/RubeRally/charging003-big.JPG
I blew up one battery before the race was over. But it didn't seem to do any lasting damage. I took second place! First place was a compressed natural gas car; since this was supposed to be for alternative fuels, I could argue that they should be disqualified, but...
Anyway, it was a great day. We were happy and tired when we loaded up for home.
http://judebert.com/progress/media/photos/2010/RubeRally/leaving001-big.JPG
So many questions!
No, not really a performance thing at all. More of a visibility thing. "Hey, did you know cars can run on stuff other than gas?"
The rally was more like a scavenger hunt. You drove their pre-planned route, kept your eyes open, and answered the questions on their little quiz sheet. If you were observant enough, and knew enough about ecology, you could answer all the questions. Whoever answered the most won.
The RAV4 was converted to electric, just like my Wagon. With a lot of differences:
All in all, I think I win on aesthetics, with some significant advantages in durability and functionality. But he wins on battery charging capability, ease of access, and expense.
You can see all the pictures I took, along with other cars in the rally, at http://judebert.com/progress/EV/RubeRally2010.html.
wagon.............4ever...............
That's some cool stuff.
Thanks. And a little bit of both, in some cases. It's supposed to be for Rube Goldberg.
well sorry ladies...
!gotta drive...
: )
Thanks for the juice, suckers!
Sweet Ride...
Hope I can see it in person one day.