Go Back   EcoModder Forum > Introductions
Register Now
 Register Now

Now available from EcoModder: ScanGauge II fuel economy gauge.  Click for details.  

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 02-27-2008, 06:08 PM   #1 (permalink)
Master Modifier
 
MD2000's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: NE CT.
Posts: 34
Thanks: 0
Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts
Hi ecomodders

A forum for modifiers, sounds like my type of people.

I have been modifying my cars for improved efficiency since I had a Subaru FE coupe back in 1979. My latest car is a Honda Insight, which I have modified a bit:
http://www.99mpg.com/Projectcars/mikesinsight/

Once the weather warms up a bit, I will be resuming my Saturday Hybrid electric workshops, where we work on various hybrid and EV related projects. If you live in the NE CT area, and want to come over and play, watch this events calender to see when a workshop will be held.
http://www.99mpg.com/events
The workshop blog:
http://www.99mpg.com/workshops/mikessaturdayhybri/
Mike


(Support Ecomodder.com & get rid of these annoying ads!)      
 
__________________
Mike Dabrowski
http://www.99mpg.com/
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2008, 06:12 PM   #2 (permalink)
Batman Junior
 
MetroMPG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 12,537

Blackfly - '98 Metro
Team Metro
90 day: 67.07 mpg (US)

ForkenSwift - '92 Metro EV
90 day: 125.37 mpg (US)

U.F.O. - '00 Insight
Team Honda
90 day: 85.75 mpg (US)
Thanks: 302
Thanked 1,020 Times in 568 Posts
Welcome!

Quote:
My latest car is a Honda Insight, which I have modified a bit:
There's an understatement if I've ever read one! For anyone who's not familiar with Mike's car, I highly recommend a visit to his site. Lots of really interesting reading.
__________________
Latest project: removable Geo Metro boat tail
Latest test: Massive cardboard air dam on a Geo Metro


www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2008, 06:51 PM   #3 (permalink)
EcoModding Apprentice
 
H4MM3R's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mackinac City, Michigan
Posts: 235
Thanks: 0
Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Welcome to the community Mike!
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2008, 07:12 PM   #4 (permalink)
XFi
Driving NOW
 
XFi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Perkasie, Pa
Posts: 189

Now - '07 Accent GS

Xspire - '97 Aspire
90 day: 47.9 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Welcome aboard Mike!
__________________
----------------------
XFi
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2008, 08:04 PM   #5 (permalink)
Dartmouth 2010
 
SVOboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hanover, NH
Posts: 6,421

Vegan Powa! - '91 CRX DX
Team Honda
90 day: 66.52 mpg (US)
Thanks: 92
Thanked 81 Times in 67 Posts
Send a message via AIM to SVOboy Send a message via MSN to SVOboy Send a message via Yahoo to SVOboy Send a message via Skype™ to SVOboy
Extremely sweet! I look forward to hearing much more about your insight,
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2008, 08:28 PM   #6 (permalink)
Wannabe EcoModder
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Boston, MA; Nashua, NH; Houston, TX
Posts: 405

Epic Wins - '07 Masi Vincere
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Send a message via AIM to GenKreton
Thanks for joining us. If I am working in New England and not in Texas with NASA I will definitely attend some events. You should post some notices up as they get scheduled. It's going to take me a bit to digest your website.
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2008, 09:22 PM   #7 (permalink)
Hybrid Student Driver
 
RH77's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Kansas City Area
Posts: 1,715

Teggy - '98 Integra LS
90 day: 33.02 mpg (US)

IMA - '010 Insight EX
Team Honda
90 day: 45.43 mpg (US)

Tessie - '06 TSX Base
90 day: 28.83 mpg (US)
Thanks: 22
Thanked 20 Times in 19 Posts
Love the 5th wheel! I recall coming across your car a year or so ago. Great work!

Lucky to have you aboard!

RH77
__________________
Supporting those devastated by the Joplin Tornado
EF5 / 22-May-2011


_
_
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2008, 09:24 PM   #8 (permalink)
Pokémoderator
 
cfg83's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 5,724

1999 Saturn SW2 - '99 SW2 Wagon
Team Saturn
90 day: 43.05 mpg (US)
Thanks: 385
Thanked 459 Times in 315 Posts
MD2000 -

Welcome to EM!

I was reading your "Plugging into the Sun" blog and you were asking for suggestions on attaching the 2.4" square solar panels. Assuming the Insight isn't using aluminum body panels and magnets don't interfere with solar panel electricity, you can use the flat magnet sheets/tape that people use to make business cards and stuff :

15 mil - 10 pack of Self-Adhesive Business Card Magnets
http://www1.ecxmall.com/stores/lyt/Detail.bok?no=48

I think I got mine at Staples or Michael's or a similar joint.

If you are worried about it flying off, have a neodymium magnet attached to the leading edge of the solar panel. The rest of the flat sheet magnet will have to be cut flush to this magnet and have the same thickness. Here are examples of the magnets I would use :

1/4" x 1/2" x 1/16" Thick NdFeB Plate Magnet, Ni-Cu-Ni plated.
http://www.amazingmagnets.com/index....ROD&ProdID=122

44221-1 N42 rectangular magnet, 5x2.5x1mm
http://www.indigo.com/magnets/gphmgn...e-magnets.html

I am using the magnet business card sheets to hold some airtabs on my car (http://www.airtab.com/). I put a neodymium magnet in the "volume" of the airtab to insure that it doesn't fly off. Haven't lost a single one since 2007/12/02.

CarloSW2
__________________

What's your EPA MPG? Go Here and find out!
American Solar Energy Society
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2008, 11:10 PM   #9 (permalink)
Giant Moving Eco-Wall
 
DifferentPointofView's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: The Dale, IL (or A-Dale)
Posts: 1,120

The Jeep! - '95 Grand Cherokee ZJ Laredo
90 day: 23.75 mpg (US)

The Caliber - '07 Caliber R/T
90 day: 30.6 mpg (US)

The 'Scort - '98 Escort LX
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Welcome!!!
__________________


Yea.. I drive a Jeep and I'm on a fuel economy site, but you just wouldn't understand... "It's a Jeep thing!" *Jeep Wave*

Did I Use Too Many Abbreviations? Here's The Abbreviations List
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2008, 11:25 PM   #10 (permalink)
I'd rather be biking
 
boxchain's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: New Orleans, LA, US Minor Outlying Islands
Posts: 126

Beater Hauler - '92 Pickup

Lexie - '98 Civic LX
90 day: 39.46 mpg (US)

Rentaclipse - '08 Eclipse ?
90 day: 28.28 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Brilliant work Mike, glad you're here!


(Support Ecomodder.com & get rid of these annoying ads!)      
 
__________________

My bike runs on dihydrogen monoxide.
I like to use these acronyms
  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread

Thread Tools


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
A Basic EcoModder's Tuneup SVOboy EcoModding Central 2 05-06-2010 10:34 PM
Ecomodders featured on CNET news.com MetroMPG Forum News & Feedback 9 02-20-2008 10:25 PM
Ecomodders participating in the NY to Paris Great Race 100th anniversary bestmapman Forum News & Feedback 33 02-19-2008 09:34 AM




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2012, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com