Here is a picture of the kit installed in a bug. Two of the six batteries sit inside the engine compartment with the other four behind the rear seat. The full post is at http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=478041. Check it out.
The downside is that it only has a 35 - 40 mile range on a single charge and, since our land is about 30 miles from my work, I would have to charge it at work to be able to return home. But, being the inventive soul that I am, I have come up with some solutions to overcome that issue.
First, I can get a solar panel designed for rvs and mount it to the top of the bug. This would allow me to recharge the batteries while my car sits in the parking lot without having to explain why I am running an extension cord from my cubicle, out the door, and into the rear of my car.
photos courtesy of: http://www.fiberglassrv.com/solar.phpSecond, I could get a couple, small windmills to mount to the top of my car. These would spin in the wind as I drive and recharge the batteries. I could also mount them on pivots so they will spin in the parking when the wind blows. One or two of these mounted on the roof would be spiffy.
Third, I could mount an alternator at each wheel to feed electricity back to the batteries. This is Blaine's idea. I don't think I would have come up with this one. I am not sure what all would be involved in that process but I'm sure Blaine has it under control.
So I figure with all of these accessories I would be able to squeeze a few more miles out of a charge. Now I just need to find a bug and convince Lesley that I need an electric bug.
I also thought it would be fun to start buying old, engineless bugs, mounting these electric kits in them, painting them green, and marketing them as "Green Bugs". Sean thinks we should call the "project" Bug-N-Out. The name is a work in progress, but I think I could be on to something.
Anyone want to buy an all-electric bug for $6000. The solar, wind, and alternator options will be extra. Start placing your orders today.
3 comments:
i smell money to be made! Hey man now you have a hit from bountiful......I will be your network manager.
I'm hoping Jer doesn't see this. He has always wanted a bug. I actually had to drive one (a '68 I think) when I was first learning to drive and it was not a fun experience. There were holes in the floorboard so you could see the street as you were moving along. My brother would go through rain puddles on purpose when he had to drive me to high school in the dumb thing. But I don't know, with gas prices being what they are, maybe this would be a good idea. If you do the green in that lighter metallic green I've seen a few times, we just might have to place an order. :-)
Just get a Smart! In the long run you would definetly save money. And you don't have to charge them. I want one to drive to work but Deryk doesn't think a five mile trip qualifies me for a seperate "work" vechile :-(
But the Bug thing does sound interesting.
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