Future power plants <OT?>
 

I got in a discussion about hybrids and got to thinking (always
dangerous <G>).

All the current hybrids use a gasoline engine along with an alternator
to power the vehicle, that's fine for small cars and little SUV's like
the Escape.

However a more serious vehicle would need a more serious power plant,
and I got to thinking about a diesel hybrid. Seems like that would be a
natural for a big SUV or truck. Whoever offers a good setup first would
have a good marketing edge... say a full size SUV like a Commander or an
Escalade that gets 25 MPG?

So am I nuts?

If not who do you think will come up with one first?

I'm betting on GM, they need it badly for their big SUV's and the GMC
trucks.

Of course what do I know, I push a mouse for a living <G>.

Jeff DeWitt

Re: Future power plants <OT?>
 

Jeff DeWitt did pass the time by typing:
> I got in a discussion about hybrids and got to thinking (always
> dangerous <G>).
>
> All the current hybrids use a gasoline engine along with an alternator
> to power the vehicle, that's fine for small cars and little SUV's like
> the Escape.
>
> However a more serious vehicle would need a more serious power plant,
> and I got to thinking about a diesel hybrid. Seems like that would be a
> natural for a big SUV or truck. Whoever offers a good setup first would
> have a good marketing edge... say a full size SUV like a Commander or an
> Escalade that gets 25 MPG?
>
> So am I nuts?

Nope. Diesel engines are better for constant load situations
which makes them ideal for running generators.

> If not who do you think will come up with one first?
>
> I'm betting on GM, they need it badly for their big SUV's and the GMC
> trucks.
>
> Of course what do I know, I push a mouse for a living <G>.

http://www.ttnews.com/members/topNews/0003729.html
http://www.popularmechanics.com/blog...e/2674491.html
http://www.gizmag.com/go/1720/

Re: Future power plants <OT?>
 

Jeff DeWitt did pass the time by typing:
> I got in a discussion about hybrids and got to thinking (always
> dangerous <G>).
>
> All the current hybrids use a gasoline engine along with an alternator
> to power the vehicle, that's fine for small cars and little SUV's like
> the Escape.
>
> However a more serious vehicle would need a more serious power plant,
> and I got to thinking about a diesel hybrid. Seems like that would be a
> natural for a big SUV or truck. Whoever offers a good setup first would
> have a good marketing edge... say a full size SUV like a Commander or an
> Escalade that gets 25 MPG?
>
> So am I nuts?

Nope. Diesel engines are better for constant load situations
which makes them ideal for running generators.

> If not who do you think will come up with one first?
>
> I'm betting on GM, they need it badly for their big SUV's and the GMC
> trucks.
>
> Of course what do I know, I push a mouse for a living <G>.

http://www.ttnews.com/members/topNews/0003729.html
http://www.popularmechanics.com/blog...e/2674491.html
http://www.gizmag.com/go/1720/

Re: Future power plants <OT?>
 

Jeff DeWitt did pass the time by typing:
> I got in a discussion about hybrids and got to thinking (always
> dangerous <G>).
>
> All the current hybrids use a gasoline engine along with an alternator
> to power the vehicle, that's fine for small cars and little SUV's like
> the Escape.
>
> However a more serious vehicle would need a more serious power plant,
> and I got to thinking about a diesel hybrid. Seems like that would be a
> natural for a big SUV or truck. Whoever offers a good setup first would
> have a good marketing edge... say a full size SUV like a Commander or an
> Escalade that gets 25 MPG?
>
> So am I nuts?

Nope. Diesel engines are better for constant load situations
which makes them ideal for running generators.

> If not who do you think will come up with one first?
>
> I'm betting on GM, they need it badly for their big SUV's and the GMC
> trucks.
>
> Of course what do I know, I push a mouse for a living <G>.

http://www.ttnews.com/members/topNews/0003729.html
http://www.popularmechanics.com/blog...e/2674491.html
http://www.gizmag.com/go/1720/

Re: Future power plants <OT?>
 

As I think Bill first pointed out here, energy conversion in any direction
always means loss of energy. If you convert a lot of energy, you lose a lot
of energy. For that reason, hybrid technology is a lot like the Emperor's
New Clothes. Lots of people know it is wrong, but lots of people want it to
be right too.

I think what we need is more efficient engines, of whatever fuel type, and
more modest transportation requirements. Take my 1999 Honda Civic HX, which
gets 45 mpg, and has room for five and a trunk too. I consider it the equal
of any hybrid on the market, in terms of usefulness. Or take my neighbor
who drives everywhere, the only passenger in a full sized Suburban, in a
town you could walk across in ten minutes.

Earle

"Jeff DeWitt" <JeffDeWitt@nc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:Ccsfg.11667$Qg.1616@tornado.southeast.rr.com. ..
> I got in a discussion about hybrids and got to thinking (always
> dangerous <G>).
>
> All the current hybrids use a gasoline engine along with an alternator
> to power the vehicle, that's fine for small cars and little SUV's like
> the Escape.
>
> However a more serious vehicle would need a more serious power plant,
> and I got to thinking about a diesel hybrid. Seems like that would be a
> natural for a big SUV or truck. Whoever offers a good setup first would
> have a good marketing edge... say a full size SUV like a Commander or an
> Escalade that gets 25 MPG?
>
> So am I nuts?
>
> If not who do you think will come up with one first?
>
> I'm betting on GM, they need it badly for their big SUV's and the GMC
> trucks.
>
> Of course what do I know, I push a mouse for a living <G>.
>
> Jeff DeWitt

Re: Future power plants <OT?>
 

As I think Bill first pointed out here, energy conversion in any direction
always means loss of energy. If you convert a lot of energy, you lose a lot
of energy. For that reason, hybrid technology is a lot like the Emperor's
New Clothes. Lots of people know it is wrong, but lots of people want it to
be right too.

I think what we need is more efficient engines, of whatever fuel type, and
more modest transportation requirements. Take my 1999 Honda Civic HX, which
gets 45 mpg, and has room for five and a trunk too. I consider it the equal
of any hybrid on the market, in terms of usefulness. Or take my neighbor
who drives everywhere, the only passenger in a full sized Suburban, in a
town you could walk across in ten minutes.

Earle

"Jeff DeWitt" <JeffDeWitt@nc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:Ccsfg.11667$Qg.1616@tornado.southeast.rr.com. ..
> I got in a discussion about hybrids and got to thinking (always
> dangerous <G>).
>
> All the current hybrids use a gasoline engine along with an alternator
> to power the vehicle, that's fine for small cars and little SUV's like
> the Escape.
>
> However a more serious vehicle would need a more serious power plant,
> and I got to thinking about a diesel hybrid. Seems like that would be a
> natural for a big SUV or truck. Whoever offers a good setup first would
> have a good marketing edge... say a full size SUV like a Commander or an
> Escalade that gets 25 MPG?
>
> So am I nuts?
>
> If not who do you think will come up with one first?
>
> I'm betting on GM, they need it badly for their big SUV's and the GMC
> trucks.
>
> Of course what do I know, I push a mouse for a living <G>.
>
> Jeff DeWitt

Re: Future power plants <OT?>
 

As I think Bill first pointed out here, energy conversion in any direction
always means loss of energy. If you convert a lot of energy, you lose a lot
of energy. For that reason, hybrid technology is a lot like the Emperor's
New Clothes. Lots of people know it is wrong, but lots of people want it to
be right too.

I think what we need is more efficient engines, of whatever fuel type, and
more modest transportation requirements. Take my 1999 Honda Civic HX, which
gets 45 mpg, and has room for five and a trunk too. I consider it the equal
of any hybrid on the market, in terms of usefulness. Or take my neighbor
who drives everywhere, the only passenger in a full sized Suburban, in a
town you could walk across in ten minutes.

Earle

"Jeff DeWitt" <JeffDeWitt@nc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:Ccsfg.11667$Qg.1616@tornado.southeast.rr.com. ..
> I got in a discussion about hybrids and got to thinking (always
> dangerous <G>).
>
> All the current hybrids use a gasoline engine along with an alternator
> to power the vehicle, that's fine for small cars and little SUV's like
> the Escape.
>
> However a more serious vehicle would need a more serious power plant,
> and I got to thinking about a diesel hybrid. Seems like that would be a
> natural for a big SUV or truck. Whoever offers a good setup first would
> have a good marketing edge... say a full size SUV like a Commander or an
> Escalade that gets 25 MPG?
>
> So am I nuts?
>
> If not who do you think will come up with one first?
>
> I'm betting on GM, they need it badly for their big SUV's and the GMC
> trucks.
>
> Of course what do I know, I push a mouse for a living <G>.
>
> Jeff DeWitt

Re: Future power plants <OT?>
 

Hybrids are a cruel hoax! What happens in 5 to 6 years when the replacement
batteries will cost what the car is worth? My last Jetta tdi averaged 49.6
mpg for over 100k miles. Liberty CRD's are getting 20 to better then 30 mpg
and can run on clean burning vegetable oils!

JoBo

"Jeff DeWitt" <JeffDeWitt@nc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:Ccsfg.11667$Qg.1616@tornado.southeast.rr.com. ..
>I got in a discussion about hybrids and got to thinking (always dangerous
><G>).
>
> All the current hybrids use a gasoline engine along with an alternator to
> power the vehicle, that's fine for small cars and little SUV's like the
> Escape.
>
> However a more serious vehicle would need a more serious power plant, and
> I got to thinking about a diesel hybrid. Seems like that would be a
> natural for a big SUV or truck. Whoever offers a good setup first would
> have a good marketing edge... say a full size SUV like a Commander or an
> Escalade that gets 25 MPG?
>
> So am I nuts?
>
> If not who do you think will come up with one first?
>
> I'm betting on GM, they need it badly for their big SUV's and the GMC
> trucks.
>
> Of course what do I know, I push a mouse for a living <G>.
>
> Jeff DeWitt

Re: Future power plants <OT?>
 

Hybrids are a cruel hoax! What happens in 5 to 6 years when the replacement
batteries will cost what the car is worth? My last Jetta tdi averaged 49.6
mpg for over 100k miles. Liberty CRD's are getting 20 to better then 30 mpg
and can run on clean burning vegetable oils!

JoBo

"Jeff DeWitt" <JeffDeWitt@nc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:Ccsfg.11667$Qg.1616@tornado.southeast.rr.com. ..
>I got in a discussion about hybrids and got to thinking (always dangerous
><G>).
>
> All the current hybrids use a gasoline engine along with an alternator to
> power the vehicle, that's fine for small cars and little SUV's like the
> Escape.
>
> However a more serious vehicle would need a more serious power plant, and
> I got to thinking about a diesel hybrid. Seems like that would be a
> natural for a big SUV or truck. Whoever offers a good setup first would
> have a good marketing edge... say a full size SUV like a Commander or an
> Escalade that gets 25 MPG?
>
> So am I nuts?
>
> If not who do you think will come up with one first?
>
> I'm betting on GM, they need it badly for their big SUV's and the GMC
> trucks.
>
> Of course what do I know, I push a mouse for a living <G>.
>
> Jeff DeWitt

Re: Future power plants <OT?>
 

Hybrids are a cruel hoax! What happens in 5 to 6 years when the replacement
batteries will cost what the car is worth? My last Jetta tdi averaged 49.6
mpg for over 100k miles. Liberty CRD's are getting 20 to better then 30 mpg
and can run on clean burning vegetable oils!

JoBo

"Jeff DeWitt" <JeffDeWitt@nc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:Ccsfg.11667$Qg.1616@tornado.southeast.rr.com. ..
>I got in a discussion about hybrids and got to thinking (always dangerous
><G>).
>
> All the current hybrids use a gasoline engine along with an alternator to
> power the vehicle, that's fine for small cars and little SUV's like the
> Escape.
>
> However a more serious vehicle would need a more serious power plant, and
> I got to thinking about a diesel hybrid. Seems like that would be a
> natural for a big SUV or truck. Whoever offers a good setup first would
> have a good marketing edge... say a full size SUV like a Commander or an
> Escalade that gets 25 MPG?
>
> So am I nuts?
>
> If not who do you think will come up with one first?
>
> I'm betting on GM, they need it badly for their big SUV's and the GMC
> trucks.
>
> Of course what do I know, I push a mouse for a living <G>.
>
> Jeff DeWitt