Author Topic: Hi everyone from FireISHotResearch  (Read 879 times)

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fireishotresearch

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Hi everyone from FireISHotResearch
« on: November 08, 2010, 10:52:37 PM »
Hello everyone,

I am curious what off-road enthusiasts think about a Jeep that runs on alternative energy. This is for a research paper of mine. Hope you guys can help me.

-FireISHotResearch

Offline aka-justin

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Re: Hi everyone from FireISHotResearch
« Reply #1 on: November 08, 2010, 11:10:40 PM »
I think it's a great idea.  Electric motors provide a lot more steady and stable power.  The source of the electricity (fuel) and refuel/recharge times would be a big hurtle.  It would have to start in trophy truck racing, baha 500, rock crawling, mud bogging, etc, type races to really get people interested.  Some alternative energy racers competing would be the stage to show people the limits.  It's all trickle down from there to get it to the aftermarket for average shmo's like us to buy.  I would love to see a high powered electric trophy truck or sand rail.  (Off to youtube I go.  ;))

My 2 cents for what it's worth.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/jHR3a7mCiEk?fs=1&amp;amp;hl=en_US" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/jHR3a7mCiEk?fs=1&amp;amp;hl=en_US</a>
« Last Edit: November 08, 2010, 11:13:41 PM by 1995yj »
[1995 YJ 2.5L with 4" lift on 31" KM2 - Sold] 1995yj
[2003 TJ Rubicon 4.0L with 4" lift on 35" Wrangler M/T - Sold]
To be continued...
--Justin

Offline jfrabat

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Re: Hi everyone from FireISHotResearch
« Reply #2 on: November 09, 2010, 03:48:13 PM »
Hello everyone,

I am curious what off-road enthusiasts think about a Jeep that runs on alternative energy. This is for a research paper of mine. Hope you guys can help me.

-FireISHotResearch

Does Propane count as alternative energy?  If so, it's already in use...  For my type of wheeling, though, electricity would not be the right energy...  We go to too remote locations, so refilling the charge would be a problem.  Also, water fording would pose a challenge...   not to mention that whiching would also drain your main fuel supply.
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Offline sharpxmen

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Re: Hi everyone from FireISHotResearch
« Reply #3 on: November 10, 2010, 12:12:52 AM »
Saw a thread same as this one today... All about alternative energy for 4x4 vehicles...
Seems like an interesting topic to tackle...

I think we're helping with homework :lol: - pretty clever, if you notice the only mention is "alternative energy" but nothing specific so far so that's probably the topic.
'95 YJ, NSG370 6spd / Hurst shifter, Dana 300 + 4:1 Doubler / tri-stick, Custom skid, Super D35 / Auburn LSD / 4.88, 35x12.5x15 BFG KM2, 64mm t/b, 1.7 RollerRockers, MkVIII e-fan, Dual Diaph Booster
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Offline chrisfranklin

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Re: Hi everyone from FireISHotResearch
« Reply #4 on: November 10, 2010, 08:13:32 AM »
Alt energy?  A rig with a diesel powerplant that could handle biodiesel fuel and had a driver-controllable idle stop/start setup -- so if you're off road you can turn it off if you want --  would be "alt" enough of a 4x4 (or at least one I'd go for).

Of course, I'd even go for that Steam-power augmented gas engine design that BMW developed a few years to make power out of typically wasted engine heat.

The steam from it is used to generate electricity for an electric motor that augments the vehicles power

But for off-road vehicles you do a "Mr. Fusion" type thing with the steam setup:  you set it up so that an onboard source other than just the diesel engine -- say a "firebox" in the back of the rig -- lets you produce heat from wood or whatever combustibles you can scrounge up in the boonies.  Maybe this lets you produce steam and then just enough electricity for an electric drive motor on the rig such that it could get you back to the nearest diesel station (when you're on empty), or otherwise let you stay out in the woods (whether you have enough diesel or not).

Of course you'd need to add water periodically to some kind of steam setup which is why the rig's roof would also have a rain catch and fresh water/salt-water processing capacity also

All this doesn't seem "environmentally friendly,"  but it might fit the bill for people in or heading to sparsely-settled, developing parts of the world that have few diesel stations, but ample forests that can spare a dead tree or two.   
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