Re: Traction (was Re: OT: Debian Mailinglist server slow?)
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On Thu, Sep 04, 2003 at 01:59:03PM +0100, Pigeon wrote:
> Fascinating. How do they compare on raw bhp and power-to-weight ratio?
The diesel-electrics and fuel-cell busses are taller by about a foot
and a half due to a very large unit on the roof, but it doesn't seem
to be an issue since they still come in shorter than most semi's.
> What kind of generator and motor technology are they using to get the
> weight down? Do they have a bank of auxiliary batteries for
> regenerative braking and starting boost?
They don't do regenerative braking and the engine's always running,
just remains idle or nearly idle except when accelerating hard, and
then it's still not running anywhere near as hard as the
diesel-hydraulics.
> Fuel cells? Already? Cool. I want one for my bicycle.
No, you don't. Mopeds aren't allowed to run on power in bicycle
lanes, and tend to go slower than anybody commuting for more than two
weeks can maintain comfortably on their own when on power. Mopeds
weigh a good two to three times as much as a normal bicycle as well;
they're mostly worthless machines. Which is why you don't see many of
them except at car lots that sell electric mopeds to look
environmentally friendly (never mind most of them still have models
five years old unsold on the showroom floor).
- --
.''`. Paul Johnson <baloo@ursine.ca>
: :' :
`. `'` proud Debian admin and user
`- Debian - when you have better things to do than fix a system
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