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Old 02-27-2008, 06:08 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: NE CT.
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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

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Old 02-27-2008, 06:12 PM   #2 (permalink)
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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)
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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.
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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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Old 02-27-2008, 06:51 PM   #3 (permalink)
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Location: Mackinac City, Michigan
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Welcome to the community Mike!
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Old 02-27-2008, 07:12 PM   #4 (permalink)
XFi
Driving NOW
 
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Perkasie, Pa
Posts: 189

Now - '07 Hyundai Accent GS

Xspire - '97 Ford Aspire
90 day: 47.9 mpg (US)
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Welcome aboard Mike!
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Old 02-27-2008, 08:04 PM   #5 (permalink)
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hanover, NH
Posts: 6,447

Vegan Powa! - '91 Honda CRX DX
Team Honda
90 day: 66.52 mpg (US)
Thanks: 92
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Extremely sweet! I look forward to hearing much more about your insight,
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Old 02-27-2008, 08:28 PM   #6 (permalink)
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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.
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Old 02-27-2008, 09:22 PM   #7 (permalink)
Depends on the Day
 
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Kansas City Area
Posts: 1,761

Teggy - '98 Acura Integra LS
Sports Cars
90 day: 32.74 mpg (US)

IMA - '10 Honda Insight EX
Team Honda
90 day: 34.76 mpg (US)

Tessie - '06 Acura TSX Base
90 day: 28.2 mpg (US)
Thanks: 31
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Love the 5th wheel! I recall coming across your car a year or so ago. Great work!

Lucky to have you aboard!

RH77
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Old 02-27-2008, 09:24 PM   #8 (permalink)
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 5,864

1999 Saturn SW2 - '99 Saturn SW2 Wagon
Team Saturn
90 day: 40.49 mpg (US)
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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
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Old 02-27-2008, 11:10 PM   #9 (permalink)
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: The Dale, IL (or A-Dale)
Posts: 1,120

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

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

The 'Scort - '98 Ford Escort LX
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Welcome!!!
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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*

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Old 02-27-2008, 11:25 PM   #10 (permalink)
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: New Orleans, LA, US Minor Outlying Islands
Posts: 127

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

Beater Hauler - '92 Isuzu Pickup

Rentaclipse - '08 Mitsubishi Eclipse ?
90 day: 28.28 mpg (US)

Fahrt - '83 BMW R80 ST
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Brilliant work Mike, glad you're here!

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