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Old 11-28-2007, 09:58 AM   #4 (permalink)
MetroMPG
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,513

Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 52.71 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 60.16 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,058
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For this approach to make sense financially, you would neither either (or both) of:

1) fuel that is much more expensive than it is now;

2) a supply of free or cheap batteries.

Fortunately, I've found (2).

Today, with two 6v "junk" batteries (from the forklift company) in series to make 12v, then in parallel with the existing 12v starting battery, I did a 46 mile / 74 km alternator-less round trip.

Starting voltage: 12.68
Ending voltage: 12.40 (batteries resting for 1 hour)

11.7v is "empty", so I used 26% pack capacity in that trip, with light accessory load: wipers occasionally; heater fan occasionally; lights; occasionally; plus engine overhead, turn signals & brake lights.

Assuming similar electrical loads, my total range to 100% depth of discharge is about 177 miles / 285 km.
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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
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