free home-charging station

Pugsley · Post by **Pugsley** » Mon Jun 21, 2010 11:06 pm

Lmandrake wrote:GM has serious engineering talent and actually has a history of implementing technological innovation.

Yea, Like killing the ideal of a diesel in a car. That 350 diesel they made was a hunk of junk. And because of it America has a stigma about diesels in cars. What gets me is my VW TDI gets 40-55mgp. Why cant they make a small pickup that gets 35-50?

Lmandrake · Post by **Lmandrake** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 7:24 am

Yes, those GM diesels were crap. Also, from about the same era, the equally crappy V8-6-4. But what about the Northstar? Damn good engine. Even after the V8-6-4 fiasco, GM went back to cylinder deactivation and got it right. How many GM engines have had the chronic sludge issues that Chrysler, Toyota and VW have had?

The marketplace is unforgiving. Like a a lot of bosses, it doesn't remember the things you did right, only the things you did wrong.

GM is to blame for a lot of the resistance to diesel in the US. Of course, EPA standards represent a technical hurdle as well.

If it were a little larger and (to me) a little better looking, I would be in a Jetta Sportwagon TDI in a heartbeat.

Don't know why NOBODY makes a little diesel pickup for the US. Why can't Toyota?

Pugsley · Post by **Pugsley** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 12:07 pm

Yeah you would think that who ever made it would sell millions.

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Sun Jul 04, 2010 10:49 am

Now we're talking. 30 minutes for a full charge at a "filling station" is a heck of a lot more practical. These are 400 volt charging stations which allow a faster charge than you can get at home, unless you pay to have your house rewired for 3-phase (commercial buildings use 3 phase but residential homes in the US use single phase).

If it takes 6 - 8 hours to get a full charge at home but I can "top off" in 30 minutes at a charging station, then electric cars become practical.

First Electric Highway in US to be I-5 from Canada to Oregon
http://inhabitat.com/2010/07/02/first-e ... ore-133204

normalicy · Post by **normalicy** » Sun Jul 04, 2010 12:45 pm

Never thought about the fact that a station could do a quick charger. Yeah, I could handle a 30 minute charge during a trip.

You don't know how much I wish I had 3 phase at my house. I need a decent motor for my compressor & 3 phase is so much more economical.

Pugsley · Post by **Pugsley** » Sun Jul 04, 2010 3:16 pm

Just get a rotary phase converter. you can find them cheap used. not the most efficient way to do it, but it works.

normalicy · Post by **normalicy** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 12:35 am

Oh believe me, I've considered that. You must have better luck than I at finding them cheap though. I need one to drive a 5hp motor & those get up there.

Pugsley · Post by **Pugsley** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 1:31 pm

Well I live near the steel mills in NW Indiana. Tons of industry and tons of spare parts. Lots of converters in lots of smaller shops.