How to Build Your Own Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car?
Hydrogen fuel cells used for building water cars are steadily in demand considering that a growing section of population is waking up to the benefits of eco-friendly vehicles. The gas prices show no sign of going down and the environment is getting polluted with each passing day, which is why it is a very good move to invest in a hydrogen fuel cell car.
Water powered cars are also called hydrogen fuel cell cars. What it implies is basically running your car on water in addition to the standard gasoline that is used to run your cars throughout the years. Online, you will find a lot of guides and manuals to build a hydrogen fuel cell or a hydrogen generator, which can convert your car to run on water. The best part about the deal is all of the equipments and materials needed to build a hydrogen fuel cell can be procured from your nearby hardware or electrical store. One needs to buy a small container that can hold water; it should be sizable enough to fit under the hood of your car where the engine sits. In addition, one needs to purchase baking soda, glass pieces, CPVC pipes; steel plates and other things that are mentioned in the guide for making a hydrogen fuel cell. The cost of all these items put together can cost you less than $200.
The hydrogen fuel cell car works on the basis of electrolysis. In this, the water breaks into molecules of hydrogen and oxygen and reacts with the catalyst (baking soda) to form a gas called Brown’s gas or HHO gas. The resultant gas is then mixed with the gasoline of your car. The mixture is burnt efficiently resulting in smooth running of the engine, very less toxic emissions and excellent mileage for your vehicle. The electrical current sets off the electrolysis process from the carburetor of the car. The engine is run efficiently because the combined fuel through the process of electrolysis burns three times more powerfully than the standard gasoline.
You can make use of the online guide, which you can download and read, to understand how you can convert your existing car to run on water. The steps mentioned to build the hydrogen cell car are comprehensive, elaborate yet simple enough to understand. Since you stand to benefit on most counts like lasting engine life, huge savings on fuel bills, less pollution, it is definitely a good idea to go for the hydrogen fuel cell car.
Please visit at hydrogen fuel cell to know more about this new concept to run car on water.
Linda Crowford is passionate about writing on various topics, specially those which are talk of the town. She enjoys sharing her experience with others and encourages people to know the latest happenings. Please visit at how to run your car on water to know more about this new concept to run car on water.
E200S Electric Scooters by Razor – Style and Power
The super-cool electric scooter by razor, E200S will give you such power and style that you are bound to fall in love with it. It has a comfortable cushioned set which can be removed for stand-up riding. The seta and seat and seat-post are removable. The 8 inch pneumatic tires, chain driven motor and twist-grip throttle is all set to provide an exciting ride.
More Power, More Control
It’s ideal for riders of all sizes and heights. The handlebars are adjustable, can be adjusted according to height of the rider. Due to its belt driven motor E200S is high-performance and can go up to the speed of 12 miles per hour. The handy twist variable speed acceleration gives more control and a twist-grip throttle gives power. It can take weight up to 220 lbs and riders of 16 or up can enjoy rides on it. It folds and thus can be stored easily. The 8 air-filled front tires, rear hand brakes and patented rear fender brake provide full control and safety. It stops easily when you want it to, without jerking.
Lasting Battery Charge And Great Design
The full battery charge lasts up to 45 minutes of continuous use; a full-recharge takes around 8 hours. The E200S Razor is driven by seal lead acid batteries with total output of 24 volts. The high torque electric motor with two batteries of 12 volt each provides the 45 minutes continuous charge. Now you can zip around the town without worrying about the battery dying on you.
Looks wise you won’t find anything smarter. It has lead free powder coat paint, gives durable finish and is beautifully designed to accentuate every detail.
Use of helmet, elbow pads and knee pads are desirable while riding the E200S scooters. The buyer and rider are required to know and comply with the regulations set by local, state and federal governments and authorities.
Behram Khan is a freelance writer with a passion for scooters, He has written articles for many sites including http://www.razor-scooter.net
What to Look For in an Electric Wheelchair
If you’re in a position where you’re looking for an electric wheelchair, either for temporary or permanent use, there are some aspects to consider as not every model is right for everyone. As with everything there are dozens of designs and features to choose from, almost like buying a car.
They vary in ruggedness, with some designed only for indoor use having lighter frames and more expensive models that are designed for tougher outdoor use. These often have spring suspensions giving a smoother ride and less hassles.
They cost between $1500 and about $7500 depending on model and features. The three main types are front wheel drive, mid wheel drive and rear wheel drive models.
Rear wheel is the most popular. They are usually faster than front wheel styles but are harder to turn and steer (just like a rear wheel drive shopping cart is much harder to maneuver).
Front wheel drive chairs are becoming popular because of the better turning capabilities. They aren’t quite as fast as rear wheel chairs but are fine for most people. Really, how fast do you need to go?
Mid wheel drive is the tightest turning but are a little unsteady at take off and stopping. They aren’t as good on uneven surfaces because of the extra caster wheels and anti tip wheels they offer.
You really have to consider whether this is long term or temporary, and whether you’re bound inside or able to go out very often. Mobile chairs are advertised heavily as being something that gives you a lot more range in your day and are often shown as being used outside. If this is a goal of yours be sure to get something that is stable enough to handle the outdoor environment.
For more information on safe electric wheelchairs please visit our website. http://www.safeelectricwheelchairs.com
Don’t Be Bitter Over a Lemon
When people speak of a lemon, it is usually an older vehicle with many problems. On these vehicles, owners put just enough insurance on them to stay on the road. With that, said lemon owners typically get liability insurance. Liability insurance is the bare minimal coverage that insures on behalf of the insuree. Simply put, liability just covers the other driver in the case of an accident.
Well, fret no more lemon owners; there is an alternative to liability insurance. Motor club insurance is the way to go. Joining motor clubs are advantageous for everyone, including those vehicle owners with liability. For instance, if someone is involved in an accident, most motor clubs will assist him or her in getting their vehicle repaired (painted, bodywork etc). That is exceptional news considering liability just covers the other drivers damages. Rather he or she has full coverage or liability motor club will offer the same grand service.
Motor clubs have relationships with numerous auto repair shops. Just by showing your membership card, you can get up to 20% off repairs. In addition, joining a motor club will provide a person with roadside assistance. Every now, and again people have car trouble that has left them stranded. Rather it was a flat tire or mistakenly locking the keys in the car. Waiting for a Good Samaritan can be dangerous and time consuming.
Motor clubs are convenient and in most cases, cheaper to have when things like that occur. Just think if you use vehicle towing and pop-a-lock services a couple of times per year, the cost can easily skyrocket over $200. Motor clubs memberships usually charge between $9 and $18 monthly. Now with the good service and the peace of mind that vehicle owners receive with the membership, the benefits far outweigh the price.
Included in motor club memberships are immense discounts. As stated earlier, motor clubs have relationships with various industries dealing with traveling. Airplane tickets, lodging, and rental cars are just a few places where motor club members get discounts. Most clubs even offer free trip planning, providing a person with free maps, brochures, and detailed routing. In conclusion, joining a motor club does not replace insurance but it gives it a tremendous upgrade.
Diashawn Williams can get you enrolled in a great motor club Today! To learn more visit: http://www.nmcfs.com/24587
Run Your Car on H2O
Could running your car on H2O be a solution to one of the major headache for most people owning a vehicle these days? With the rapid increase we are witnessing in the oil prices, it is almost sure that these prices might just touch the sky one of these days, putting the public and especially drivers in a horrible state. Vehicle owners are compelled to spend a major portion of their hard earned money on filling up their gas tanks all the time, being forced to cut short their regular budgets and sacrificing many things. Don’t you also think it is time to put an end to these high gas prices?
For the past several years there has been a lot of discussion going on about the qualities and comforts of hydrogen based cars and running your car on H2O. These cars which are supposedly to be pollution-free, are environmentally friendly, helping to keep the atmosphere clean. Apart from this great advantage is the fact that it runs on water which is much cheaper than the gigantic oil prices.
Running a car using H2O may be funny and new to certain people, but it is actually very simple, unlike what many imagine. What is needed is a system to break water into its two components namely water and oxygen and infusing them into the engine as energy. With only a slight technical modification and some logical thinking, you can alter your normal car to into a hydrogen powered vehicle, saving you thousands on fuel costs.
Converting your car to be running on H2O will also increases your fuel mileage greatly. You can now create and install your own hydrogen fuel cells easier than ever before. If you are also wanting to save on fuel costs like I do then I would strongly recommend you consider this option.
You can create your own hydrogen fuel cell cheaply and easily!
Audi A4 – Finally in India!
The Audi A4 Sedan recently launched in India is a luxurious car manufactured by a German based company, Audi. The manufacturing of this car started way back in 1994 and since then this vehicle has gained popularity all over. High quality materials, comfortable seating and superior handling make this car a perfect choice for road trips.
A4 Sedan is the top most selling body style car. Over the years, this Audi model has emerged as the top favorite for all those who look for a compact and luxurious car. It has beaten its competitors in comfort, style and price too!
Engine and Power
Depending on their choice, buyers can buy the one with a 2 liter, 200 horsepower engine or the one with 3.6 liter and 255 horsepower. Its powerful engine makes driving easy even on bumpy roads. It also has a four link suspension in the front. This makes driving a lot more comfortable. Transmissions are also different for different body types. It can have a continuously variable transmission or an automatic one. The six speed automatic transmission helps in achieving good fuel economy.
Its four wheel drive makes the car very safe. Your trip is safe even in harsh weather conditions or damaged and bumpy roads. The car has various other safety materials too like the anti lock brakes. High quality material is used in the manufacturing of this car. Front and side airbags are present to make the car even safer. The side airbags protect the rear and front occupants. All this gets it quite a high safety rating.
Design and Style
The car’s interior is very well done with pleasant colors. The cars electronics are placed in the center. All other controls are designed and placed properly. The interior materials are of supreme quality. Interior has a dual zone climate control. The seats are comfortable and spacious which makes long drives easier. It also has a powerful stereo system. To make your drive exciting, Audi has a sport option. In the sports mode, the upshifts occur at about 3000rpm. This mode is good for city driving.
The car has a classy look. It has elegant cut lines. Its front ends are also done nicely and are quite unique. Its high belt lines are distinct. The A4 which is set to be launched in India is a medium sized sedan measuring around 4.7 meters in length. The company expects to achieve a sale of at least 1000 cars by the end of this year.
Audi A4 in India
In India, A4 will be priced at Rs. 29,00,000 and Audi hopes to lure the premium car customers in India with its new sedan. The company is already accepting offers from dealers all over the country; especially from big cities like Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, Chandigarh and Gurgaon.
It’s a joy to drive the Audi A4 sedan. The car offers some of the latest technologies like the Bluetooth and navigation. If you are looking for a luxurious and classy car, then look no more! Audi A4 Sedan is the one for you!
Satish Kalepu has been an avid auto fan and reporter for many years. He frequently writes about new car launches in India and researches trends in the Indian auto market.
His articles are published in various media, among which http://www.CarTradeIndia.com
Parallel Parking Mistakes During the Road Test
Parallel parking is one of the hardest, if not the hardest, skill to master for the driving test. It involves backing up, coordination, understanding the proper use of side mirrors, and precise distance estimation. When these don’t join together well, a bad parking comes up, which sometimes lead to a bad test result.
One tiny mistake is not signaling before beginning to park. Before any parallel parking the student should signal to let other drivers know what he is doing. However, some students forget to signal. It is only a minor error, but it can make the difference between a pass and a fail.
Another mistake, much bigger, is wrong distance estimation. Instead of being close to the car the student parks behind, he stands far from it. This often leads the parking into a dead end, since he needs more parking space for that, and if there is also a car behind, the parking is doomed to fail.
Hitting the curb is a major mistake in many areas and an automatic test failure. When backing up, some students don’t know when to turn their wheel, so they get too close to the curb. When they do turn the steering wheel it’s already too late, and the car hits the curb. When this happens, the test is almost always a failure.
There is a more serious mistake than hitting the curb, and that is hitting a car, or even worse, a pedestrian. This happens when the examinee doesn’t look back or just stares forward. It is a definite failing score in the test and a very bad feeling for the student. If the student hits a pedestrian, it can also be dangerous.
Not looking back, even without hitting anything, is another serious error during the driving test. When backing up, the student should look in the rear window and the mirrors. Failing to do so is also a reason for the examiner to fail the student on the spot.
Parallel parking requires many hours of practice. In some places, it is not a required skill for the parking test, but any driver should be able to do, especially if he lives or works in a big city. The practice must be with the proper guidance, or else any student would face hardships when practicing this skill.
You can find a suitable guide for passing the driver’s license test on the Pass Your Road Test area of Great-Info-Products.com.
About the author:
Nadav Snir is an experienced driver, driving since the age of 15.5. He passed his first driving test in California at the age of 16. You can see more information about the driving test at his site: http://Great-Info-Products.com/DriveTest/index.html
EV Basics I – A Tale of Two Hybrids
Important acronyms:
ICE: Internal Combustion Engine – The standard drive train of cars way back in the 20th Century.
PHEV: Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle – A car or truck with an ICE and a battery pack that can be charged straight from a typical electrical outlet.
VVT: Variable Valve Timing – A system which allows an ICE to open and close cylinder valves with at least some degree of independence from crankshaft position. Such systems can be used to depressurize engine cylinders, removing “compression braking” from the system.
Looking to buy a hybrid car and wondering about your options? Or perhaps you already own one and want to find out more about it. Maybe you are just curious… There are many good reasons to be curious about hybrids, but learning about them can be a daunting process. There are so many terms being thrown around, “mild hybrid,” “full hybrid,” “series hybrid,” “parallel hybrid,” “plug-in hybrid,” and the list goes on. What do these words mean? Which one is best for you? Read on, intrepid researcher, and I will try to find you a path through the jargon.
The terms “mild hybrid” and “full hybrid” are defined differently by different people and organizations, depending on what information they are trying to convey. The terms are used more by marketing departments, less by technically-oriented people. Generally speaking, a mild hybrid uses a small motor and battery pack to provide a modest amount of extra power and/or efficiency to a drivetrain dominated by an internal combustion engine (ICE). There are a few large trucks being sold with optional mild hybrid drive trains, such as the Chevrolet Silverado. Benefits of a mild hybrid include a small increase in fuel economy, the ability to shut down the engine when the car comes to a stop (such as at a traffic light) and the ability to run power tools and other electric/electronic devices from energy stored in the battery pack.
A full hybrid vehicle can produce a significant amount of driving force from its electric drivetrain components. Most people limit this category to cars that can drive for at least a short distance on electric power only.
The terms “series hybrid” (or “serial hybrid”) and “parallel hybrid” are clearly defined, with meanings that are agreed-upon and accepted by virtually all people who are conversant on electric cars. In a series hybrid, the electric motor is connected directly to the drive-line. The output shaft of the motor drives the transmission, which drives the wheels of the vehicle. The ICE, on the other hand, is NOT connected directly to the drive-line. It is connected only to a generator which produces electricity, just like the old generator Uncle Earl uses to run his beer ‘fridge when he goes camping. Instead of cooling beer, however, the generator in a series hybrid uses the electricity to charge the car’s batteries and power the motor.
The recently-introduced Chevrolet Volt E-Flex concept car proposes to use a series hybrid architecture. According to GM, it will have a large electric motor and a small ICE. It will be capable of going roughly forty miles in electric only mode, after charging the battery pack from a plug-in connection. The Volt is a good example of a “typical” series parallel application in which the vehicle relies most heavily on its electric drive system. The gas engine only comes into play when the batteries are drained.
A parallel hybrid includes an ICE that IS directly connected to the drivetrain. All of the hybrid vehicles sold by Honda fall into this category. We can simplify the concept of a parallel hybrid drivetrain as being a “standard” ICE drivetrain with an electric motor inserted, providing additional power to the overall drive system. The ICE is usually, although not necessarily, connected to an electrical generator as well, which produces electricity used to power the motor and charge the batteries. All of the parallel hybrids available today get most of their power from the ICEs, with smaller electric motors and battery packs providing extra power during acceleration.
Some parallel hybrid drivetrains allow the ICE to be mechanically disconnected from the rest of the drive-line at times. In recent years, this architecture has come to be called a “series/parallel hybrid.” The Toyota Prius is one example of this layout. The details of the Prius’s design are relatively complicated, so I contacted two Prius experts to help fill in the gaps in my knowledge. First, I spoke with Ron Gremban, technical lead for the group CalCars and the primary source of engineering expertise for their Prius+ plug-in hybrid (PHEV) project. Gremban explained the fundamentals of the Prius drivetrain to me. He told me that the Prius has two electric motor/generators and one gasoline engine. All three of these units are attached to a planetary gear system, which Toyota calls a ‘Power Split Device.’ At any point, two or three of these units can be spinning simultaneously, so the larger motor/generator can be driving the car while the ICE is not running. Alternatively, the ICE can be driving the wheels along with the larger motor, or it can be providing electrical power to charge the batteries.
I had also heard that the Prius can de-pressurize the cylinders in the ICE to decrease mechanical losses during all electric operation, but Gremban did not know the details of this function. Undeterred, I called Peter Nortman, president of EnergyCS, a company which is developing a kit which will allow Prius owners to retrofit their cars to make them PHEVs. Nortman was quite familiar with Toyota’s design to eliminate compression braking. “They use VVT, variable valve timing, to open the valves when compression would normally be occurring. Since there is no compression, the engine spins freely, with very little friction. This comes into play during periods of rapid deceleration, when the large motor generator is spinning quickly. If the engine were not allowed to turn as well, the smaller motor generator would over-spin beyond its 10,000 RPM redline and burn out.”
Now that we know the basic definitions of parallel, series, and series/parallel hybrid drivetrains, it is logical to ask the question, “Which is best?” All three architectures have benefits and problems. Each works well under certain conditions but not others.
A pure parallel system is the easiest for a major automotive company to put into production. Simply attach an electric motor to an existing drivetrain, add a battery pack and controller, and PRESTO! It is easy to achieve substantial gains in both performance and fuel economy. However, in order to drive a car with a parallel-only drivetrain, the ICE must be operating at all times. There is no option to drive on electric power alone.
In many ways, a series/parallel layout gives drivers the “best of both worlds.” These cars can operate in electric-only mode and the efficiency of their electric drivetrains approaches that of series hybrids. Additionally, they benefit from an efficient mechanical connection between the ICE and the drive-line. But these benefits come at a cost in terms of complexity. There are more mechanical connections to the drive-line, and the different power sources need complicated electromechanical controls in order to work together effectively. This added complexity creates added weight and additional areas in which mechanical or electronic problems could arise.
In contrast, a series hybrid is remarkably simple. For starters, an electric vehicle drivetrain has far fewer moving parts than an ICE-powered drivetrain. Now add an ICE that does not need any messy transmission or torque converter; all it needs is an output shaft connected to an electrical generator. Simplicity embodied! Unfortunately, this simplicity does not equate with efficiency.
“Wait a moment!” you might now say, “I thought electric cars were more efficient than ICE-powered cars!” And you would be correct if you did! However, in order to calculate the overall efficiency of a series hybrid, we must look at the product of all the inefficiencies in the system. Let us look at the drivetrain “downstream” of the ICE, assuming that we are using very efficient components throughout, a motor that operates at 90% efficiency, a generator/battery charging system that also operates at 90% efficiency, and mechanical drivetrain components that operate at 85% efficiency.
0.9*0.9*0.85 = 0.69 = 69% total system efficiency!
A non-hybrid drivetrain typically operates at or near 80% efficiency for a standard transmission, once again looking at components downstream of the ICE. With the additional low-end motor torque and other benefits of a parallel hybrid system, the efficiency could be driven up even higher. Clearly, once the ICE comes into play in a series hybrid system using “typical” components now available to auto manufacturers, the efficiency drops to levels substantially below some other options. Of course, inefficiencies coming from the ICE are not a factor when a series hybrid is in electric-only mode. If the ICE is used only rarely, efficiency numbers become quite impressive, relating only to motor and battery charging losses.
So what is the ultimate answer to our automotive needs? Well… both parallel and series/parallel hybrids could go a long way to decreasing our dependence on liquid fuels. Both could dramatically increase the fuel economy of the cars and trucks we drive. However, at some point in the near future series hybrids will emerge as the best choice. They are the simplest option that would allow us to get the vast majority of our transportation-related energy from the utility grid. Furthermore, efficiency concerns may be eliminated in the very near future. Certain modern single speed transmissions are used in drivetrains with claimed efficiencies of up to 97%. If such a transmission were used with a state-of-the art motor operating at 95% efficiency and a generator/battery charging system which had similar efficiency, overall system efficiency, not considering the ICE efficiency, would be:
0.95*0.95*0.97 = 88%!
Additionally, such a series architecture could allow for the use of an Atkinson cycle ICE operating only at peak power. Such an ICE could have an average efficiency of 35%-40%, twice the average efficiency of a typical car engine on the road today. Alternatively, a series hybrid could replace the gasoline engine with an engine running on biodiesel. Some diesel engines have achieved peak efficiencies in the 50% range!
Yes, series hybrids appear to be the most promising candidate to become the vehicle of the future. But don’t let that stop you from making your next car a parallel or series/parallel hybrid. As CalCars founder Felix Kramer is fond of saying, “The perfect should not be the enemy of the good!” Cars like the Toyota Prius or Honda Civic hybrid are marvelous examples of engineering ingenuity, and they are available today at your local dealerships. Don’t wait for some point in the foggy future to buy a car that is as green as you can imagine; get the greenest car that is available right now.
Forbes Bagatelle-Black
West Coast Contributing Editor, EVWorld.com
http://www.evworld.com
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