Solar Propulsion or Solar Fantasy?

[DonWatson3558]

clett,

I was planning (and still plan) to write a longer post to you later regarding the last couple posts you have made. I wanted a bit of time to think it all over first. But, based on your last post, I just couldn't wait!

First, I want to let you know how very much I appreciate the wisdom you have passed along. I just don't know what to say. Without real knowledge, the best most of us can do is make sweeping assumptions about the cost/benefits of any technology. Usually we are wrong, and in this case, all but a couple have been. I don't mind being wrong, and I am sure in order to advance the technology, nobody else minds either.

Peter Perkins's solar car looks great! As soon as I get home from work tongight I'll be on the computer checking it out even more!

While I've taken a couple minutes out of my work day to write quick note, I just wanted to throw out an idea I received from a private message on this forum. Not only could we add solar to the roof, but we could add solar louvers in the back window, and solar backs to the sun visors. I like this idea because it helps us keep a clean look to the car.

The louvers really sounded interesting. After all, the rear window on the Insight is almost as big as the roof! Also, with louvers, there could be a 25%-33% overlap louver to louver where at certain times of the day (or programatically controlled), they could be oriented such that the square inches of solar collections space is even greater. I previously tossed around the idea of a rear window electric blind (computer controlled) to respond to temperature, car in/out of use, time, etc. I could still make it act as a computer-controlled smart blind, and it could generate more electricity at the same time.

I wonder if a mechinized/computerized way to adjust the solar louvers/blinds would not allow you to aim them directly at the sun, thereby achieving high-noon charging for at least 5 or 6 hours per day? Same with the roof panels? If we used a palm/pocket-pc as a primary controller, it could mathematically determine the best orientation of the panels every minute of the day (without any sun sensors). For that matter, when you are ready to park the car after a trip, you could tell the computer when you plan to return, and after a few calculations, it could tell you the best orientation to park the car in order to achieve the maximum charging capactiy while you are gone! Anyway, not all this is not a big deal, but thought I would pass that along.

As you know, I was trying to develop a list of everything one could do with some extra free power -- from topping off the battery to adding a series of peltier thermoelectric devices. I wanted to think about even the nuttiest ideas ... and I know I have included a couple! I suppose it's my attempt to let my mind thoroughly explore every aspect of a problem, and see what exciting places it might take me.

Our recent discussion is a prime example; previously, the thought of using solar energy for anything more significant than topping off the battery seemed out of reach. I think lots of people on this forum had probably labeled me a "mad man" too! I don't mind the label; it's not the first time somebody thought that and won't be the last! LOL

I will write again later after I have a chance to explore further the great links you have included, and the info you have given. Again, thanks so much! (BTW, that 400W wind turbine is incredible!!!)

Talk soon,
Don

[james]

Don,

"I just get a little disappointed because I feel the car has very incorrectly assumed that I want to slow down. I feel it's bad a bad error in judgement!"

Well, if Honda had designed the Insight especially for you, you might have a point. However, you need to remember that you're in Massachusetts, a part of the world that doesn't have much in the way of long steep downhills. Other people live & drive in hillier places

I would imagine that Honda looked at what are the steepest downhills that could reasonably be expected, which seems to be around a 5-6% grade (at least for roads without a lot of sharp curves), and designed the charging system so that with neither gas nor brakes applied, it would hold about 60 mph. Otherwise the driver would have to be braking constantly, risking possible brake failure from overheating, and consequent lawsuits...

[DonWatson3558]

Originally Posted by james

Well, if Honda had designed the Insight especially for you, you might have a point. However, you need to remember that you're in Massachusetts, a part of the world that doesn't have much in the way of long steep downhills. Other people live & drive in hillier places

Actually, I'm a dual resident of Atlanta and Boston. I own a home in Atlanta, but work in Boston. About 60% of my time is spent in Boston. While driving the Insight in Atlanta, it had the same problem. I spent 3-1/2 months in Loma Linda, CA late last year. Didn't have my Insight at the time, but rather a rental car the whole stretch True, the San Bernardino mountain range covers the north and south sides of the San Bernardino valley. But, from San Bernardino all the way into and around Los Angeles, as well as westward to Palm Springs, I didn't drive on the kinds of mountains you are talking about. I made a couple sightseeing trips into the mountains, but that was a rare exception. If Honda designed the car for the San Bernardino mountain type people, I would be astonished -- I would be wrong but neverthless astonished.

It's obviously a moot point. Perhaps we are both right ... different regions vary... my only point is that while the mountains where you live may be common for most Insight drivers, I had never thought of Boston, Atlanta, and Los Angeles being out-of-the-ordinary.

Since my car only uses 2-3 bars of the battery anyway, it' probably only using less than 10% of the entire battery capacity. While that seems like a big waste of battery (I won't argue with Honda's engineering here!), all I can do is end the downhill problem by simply topping off the battery with solar power.