Engine Modifications

Originally Posted by weasel

I'm definitely interested in sunshine to dollars....or more specifically, getting free solar panels and free fresnel lenses.....

Kinda curious about that 'running your car on hydrogen' thing. I'll probably purchase one of them books down the road. You guys be sure to post anything if you come up with any sites commenting on that thar webpage.

didn't someone get their fresnell lenses in? I had looked into solar and found that Shell has a solar company. Their panels seemed more powerful to the untrained eye. I also liked the fact that they sell complete packages of panels, converters, battery systems, etc. But one of their bigger systems at 12k would only supply about 1/3 of my usage so that is out. Would the Fresnell lens boost the output?

Originally Posted by weishaupt1776

Dang, I am planning on the same thing since you provided this enlightening link. My friend is a gearhead/PHD electronic engineer

Weis, would you consider a joint venture? I've got the plans and I could probably swing the parts. Could your friend check them out, make sure its feasible and we could put our heads together to build one.

Originally Posted by francis

didn't someone get their fresnell lenses in? I had looked into solar and found that Shell has a solar company. Their panels seemed more powerful to the untrained eye. I also liked the fact that they sell complete packages of panels, converters, battery systems, etc. But one of their bigger systems at 12k would only supply about 1/3 of my usage so that is out. Would the Fresnell lens boost the output?

Francis,

I Got'em.

Started several things on fire. Man that was cool. Focus a beam of light on a news paper and in literally a few seconds . . . poof . . . Fire! hehe Fire!

I don't think the fresnel lenses would boost the output of a PV Panel. The fresnel concentrates a light into a very small pinhole shape like a magnifying glass does, only its like having 100 magnifying glasses on one thin plastic sheet. If you had some mirrors that would focus more light onto the PV Panel it would be like having 2 suns shining on it instead of one. Now that would make it more efficient depending upon the angle of the PV Panel, and the Arc of the sun etc. . . .

There we go more math.

What the fresnel lenses might be useful for is generating more heat in a hot water solar panel. Then you could make steam and convert it into some useful motive energy.

As for the solar, I don't think the money spent for a total solar PV system is cost effective. If you add a few panels, a couple of cheap wind turbines, some batteries, inverters, and get some appliances like the Staber Washing Machine (http://www.staber.com/) SunFrost Refrigerator (http://www.sunfrost.com/refrigerator_models.html) [known for being one of the most efficient on the market], 22W Flourecent bulbs that put out nearly the same lumens as a 60w incandecent, then you might be able to justify the cost. The issue is what is it you are trying to accomplish? Reduce a power bill? Get free of the Grid. If it is reducing the power bill the energy efficient appliances are still the way to go. Just do a cost benefit analysis to find the payback period v.s. life of the appliance etc., and you can make an educated choice. I have done these things, and also put in a GeoThermal "Water" furnace. Cut my power bill in half and paid for itsself in about 5 years. Now I need to replace some windows do some insulation work, and get a few solar panels, 2 or 3 windmills, and a diesel backup for days with no sun and wind, and I'm off the grid; Or I can stay on the grid, and sell excess back to the power company. I would still put in the batteries though cause if you connect to the grid and it goes down, you're without juice other than what you are directly generating. You can also look for DC appliances and lights and use these directly off the battery bank being fed from the PV and Wind turbine instead of getting an AC inverter. I think DC is generally more efficient than AC when talking amps which is what you are concerned with when planning this type of system but the limitations are that the DC stuff is not generally available at your local Home Depot. It's mostly all special order stuff. The motor to drive a compressor on a refridgerator can also be ran off of propane. Think RV. I wonder if it could be converted to run on alcohol or hydrogen?

Some of my current projects involve some of the above along with the biodiesel, work, posting here, and other general life stuff, and which is why I don't have the time for your project at the moment; however, I hope you will keep us posted.

[dalrex]

I put about 6 oz of pure acetone in my '03 Expedition when I filled up (approx 90 liters!) I have the instant mileage reader on the truck. So before I filled up, I tested a certain length from point A to point B. Before the fill at 40 MPH (with cruise set) 24.2 MPG. After filling and adding acetone, (same point A to point B, 40 MPH w/ cruise) 25.2 MPG... Not much of a raise, and not much of an accurate test, but that's what I got...

On another note... I put in a Fuel Saver 5000...http://www.fuelconcepts.com/
It took a while to install, as we had to tap into return fuel line...
Some pretty good results! I don't think 40% increase though. On that same stretch of road that I got 25.2, I got a heavy wind aided 35 MPG, but going back against the wind on the same stretch, I got 28 MPG, so this thing definitely works! Only problem now, is that my service engine light comes on. When scanned, it says the engine is getting too much gas (too rich). Since the light came on, it has gotten colder outside and my mileage has come down, so I don't know if it is because of the cooler temperature or the (upper right bank?) O2 sensor needing to be replaced. I will report back, when I change the O2 sensor. They say that you should be replacing every 25,000 miles... Anyone do that??

Dale

I'm all over that!!!!!!! how much did it cost? I got online to check the price and you had to e-mail someone so i thought I'd ask you the price. Let us know what your mpg for a whole tank is. How in the world were you getting 24mpgs in the first place? About 2 years ago my wife was driving a 99 Expedition and was only getting about 11 or 12 mpgs. My impression was that Fords suck the gas. Looks like if you got a 10mpg diff one way and 3-4 going the other, you net 6.5 mpg gain.

[dalrex]

Originally Posted by francis

I'm all over that!!!!!!! how much did it cost? I got online to check the price and you had to e-mail someone so i thought I'd ask you the price. Let us know what your mpg for a whole tank is. How in the world were you getting 24mpgs in the first place? About 2 years ago my wife was driving a 99 Expedition and was only getting about 11 or 12 mpgs. My impression was that Fords suck the gas. Looks like if you got a 10mpg diff one way and 3-4 going the other, you net 6.5 mpg gain.

It cost me 160 USD because I am in Canada. It would only be 150USD if you are in the US. I also paid an extra 29CDN for taxes here at the post office. I spent a little extra getting metal fuel lines, 28CDN or something like that. Well worth it...
As far as the mileage goes (truck calculates by US gallons), 24mpg was at 40mph constant speed, no stops. At 65 mph, I was originally getting around 17-18 mpg. On that windy night with a cross wind, it was around 20 mpg. I think I might even get more once I change the O2 sensor, but I will let you know...

Dale

[ndusa]

Originally Posted by dalrex

I put about 6 oz of pure acetone in my '03 Expedition when I filled up (approx 90 liters!) I have the instant mileage reader on the truck. So before I filled up, I tested a certain length from point A to point B. Before the fill at 40 MPH (with cruise set) 24.2 MPG. After filling and adding acetone, (same point A to point B, 40 MPH w/ cruise) 25.2 MPG... Not much of a raise, and not much of an accurate test, but that's what I got...

On another note... I put in a Fuel Saver 5000...http://www.fuelconcepts.com/
It took a while to install, as we had to tap into return fuel line...
Some pretty good results! I don't think 40% increase though. On that same stretch of road that I got 25.2, I got a heavy wind aided 35 MPG, but going back against the wind on the same stretch, I got 28 MPG, so this thing definitely works! Only problem now, is that my service engine light comes on. When scanned, it says the engine is getting too much gas (too rich). Since the light came on, it has gotten colder outside and my mileage has come down, so I don't know if it is because of the cooler temperature or the (upper right bank?) O2 sensor needing to be replaced. I will report back, when I change the O2 sensor. They say that you should be replacing every 25,000 miles... Anyone do that??

Dale

Putting acetone in your gas? Glad my fingers ain't between the rings and cylinders! Bet it helps out your oil and bearings as well.

Changing your o2 sensor won't do anything unless it's bad to start with, and you'll def. know when its bad.

When I went in for auto. tech at wyotech, we talked about all the crazy sh@t people pull. Dump what you want in an engine, you won't make any difference, except to shorten the life of it. Additives, octane boost, gas treatment, what a crock of ****!

Kinda like when people tell you to boost your octane. won't do a bit of good for a engine designed for lower octane. You can try to cheat the system, but it just ain't gonna happen.

[fulltitle]

Originally Posted by weishaupt1776

I would like to discuss / link to various engine mod concepts for fuel eficiency

Sagas rocked it with this link
http://www.knowledgepublications.com...hydrogen_2.htm

Weiss:

The key is coat engine internals: pistons, combustion chambers, valve ports with the likes of ceramic, or thermal barrier coatings to safeguard the block from rust or the heat generated by the hydrogen. Replacing the valves and the pistons with stainless steel is preferred to coating them. But coating the combustion chamber is a must unless you wish for the engine to seize from rust from using straight hydrogen (high temps, lots of water).

Ideally, a car whose ECU you could modify would be a good choice. At this time, I'd say that fuel injected cars arent the ideal candidates for hydrogen only fuel systems.