The Smart Drive » Quickpost

Introducing the 2001 Golf TDI SVO

Drew — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 05:34:00 +0000

Well, I didn’t really plan on getting two alternate fuel vehicles within a month, but life is funny sometimes. Yes, after way too many months in the shop, the 2001 Golf TDI SVO vehicle is up and running. It has become clear to me now that this car was on it’s last legs when I purchased it back in March. Not only was the engine a 10 mile drive away from blown and injectors hosed, it turns out the turbocharger was destroyed. On a test drive of the final install the turbo gave way and shredded itself :-/. So, tack $300 onto the bill for a new (used) turbo and we are done; hopefully this used one lasts for a while, new ones are expensive!

While the car is up and running right now it’s only running on normal petro-diesel to break in the engine and work out any kinks. I spent the weekend cleaning up the car (it was covered in dirt and crap, but I have to say is in damn good shape) and going over the Greasecar SVO system. I shouldn’t be suprised, but the SVO install that was done to the car is absolutely horrid. There are ground wires everywhere, building wire nuts joining wires, solid guage wire crimped to blade connectors, overheated barrel joints, and fuel lines looped everywhere. Being an engineer I always look at things and try and figure out a better way, this is no exception. Since I now have first hand experience with what a so-so SVO system can do to a car, over the next few weeks I am going to hook up the ideal SVO system. Of course I will post my findings here for all to read.

That’s about it, check back soon for some video of the car in action and any updates on the modified Greasecar SVO system.

Quickpost: Using biofuels to power electric cars?

Drew — Fri, 08 May 2009 17:20:41 +0000

Here is an interesting article about the efficiency of converting biomass into liquid fuel, vs using it to generate electricity for EVs. http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2009/05/biofuels-can-power-more-miles-if-used-to-charge-batteries.ars

Quickpost: The US Smart Grid

Drew — Mon, 04 May 2009 23:43:08 +0000

Take a alook at this video about plans for a US “Smart Grid”

Quickpost: Chrysler ENVI video

Drew — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 05:06:20 +0000

This video demos the latest developments from Chrysler in their electric vehicle hybrid R&D. I have to say I agree that a hybrid with secondary gas engine (rather than electric as secondary) is the next step in hybrid evolution.

Also, check out the Chrysler ENVI site for another overview. ENVI Site and More about the ENVI Fleet

Quickpost: Advanced SVO/WVO filter setup

Drew — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 05:33:24 +0000

Check out this advanced SVO filer setup on youtube. This guy uses two 55 gal drums and six (6) filters! I like the site level idea.

Quickpost: Best SVO conversion engines

Drew — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 05:36:45 +0000

Will your engine work with SVO? Take a look at this post on the best SVO engines.

http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/voconversionbasics/vpost?id=3208523&pid=30965449#post30965449

Quickpost: Biodiesel and SVO forums

Drew — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 04:39:18 +0000

I am going to try and make quick posts about things I find on the net. That way I can remember the info and you the reader can check out the info!

These forums look like a really cool source for biodiesel and SVO discussion!

http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/eve/forums