Quote:
Originally Posted by rmay635703
Actually given the average duration of a cop stop, the actual cost is in the neighborhood of $0.35-$0.65 cents idling, also remember many police sit on the sides and between roads idling to a tune of roughly $2 an hour depending of coarse on which motor and which local we are talking.
Good reason to develop instant on gasoline motors for NON hybrids, like the old spring start diesel prototype from many years ago.
Also the police camera can likely function regardless of the motors operation, I have one that only uses about a half watt.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by comptiger5000
I agree. Good deep cycle batteries, instant start ability, and a charger to make sure the batteries stay topped off while the car isn't being used, and they should be able to idle a good bit less. There will be times when it's still better to have it running, but it certainly won't be necessary as often.
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Ok, so tha camera can probably work a while without idling... But how about the other 1-2 cameras, the radio, the computer, the GPS, the lights... And the list is most likely twice as long...
No... Deep cycle batteries won't help... For one you would then need to have a system that keeps all accesories on regardless of the car is on, and lets you start the car without things re-starting... And you would need to charge the deep cycle batteries during running so it has enough juice for the next non-idle situation... That add's fuel consumption...
Then add to that the fact that lugging around the additional weight of that battery adds to the consumption... With the fact that most police vehicles are already loaded with a pretty large list of tools/first aid/whatever that the officers need...
As a matter of fact, a lot of police vehicles have uprated generators and electric systems to handle the loads... So no... There are no efficient solution available that will let them reduce idling... Adding the time and safety aspects, the money spent on that fuel and the environment impact becomes a non-issue if you ask me...