12 Oct
2000
12 Oct
'00
11:33 a.m.
On Thu, 12 Oct 2000, Tony Duell wrote:
> On Thu, 12 Oct 2000, Fred Cisin (XenoSoft)
wrote:
> [running comptuers from an automobile]
> > Adding major mass of batteries can sink much of the variation.
> > Power CAN be cleaned up.
THAT part was mine. But the discussion of modifying the front end to
bring out a drive shaft was from Mr. Davis:
> It seems that the obvious solution is being
overlooked. Modify the
> radiator so that it has about a 2" to 3" hole in the middle (which
Then, both Tony and I pointed out the obvious solution of using the PTO:
Real vehicles [1] have assorted ways to drive
mechanical accesories, like
a power take off option that fits into the transfer gearbox. Now, add
that, add a sensibly-sized generator, and have a proper in-car computer.
[1] do I have to say 'Land Rover' :-)
REAL vehicle/Land Rover is redundant. Surely there can't be anyone who
doesn't already know that. But most of us drive the automotive equivalent
of a Windoze box. I wrote the book on Honda car repair [literally], but
I'm currently driving a 4WD Toyota van. I sometimes miss my old Jeep
FC170 (Forward Control, front is like a van), that had a real PTO, a real
transfer case, a real overdrive; but not the right shift linkage, so
there were 4 levers to move when shifting (16 forward speeds, 4 reverse).
More seriously (but only slightly more seriously), why
not add a second
alternator next to the standard one (there's probably enoug room to
kludge something in and run an extra drive belt to a pulley piggy-backed
onto the existing one). Use that to charge a second battery (which
needn't be that large). Yes, you've still got the spikes from the
alternator to worry about, but at least you don't have the electical
spikes put there by the ignition system, assorted motors, etc.
Allison makes a good point:
if you tap the power both before AND after the diodes, then you have three
phase AC, AND DC.
Also, change out the decades old spark plugs and plug wires - those can
create a lot of RF? noise.
--
Grumpy Ol' Fred cisin(a)xenosoft.com