January 2006
The Las Vegas Electric Vehicle Association (LVEVA) will meet on the third Saturday of each month during 2006. Meetings will be held at the Clark County
Library on 1401 E. Flamingo Road from 10:15 AM to 12:15 PM. Members will be displaying their own electric cars and answering questions before and after the meeting.
February 18 Monthly Meeting March 18 Monthly Meeting April 15 Monthly Meeting May 20 Monthly Meeting June 17 Monthly Meeting July 04 Boulder City 4th of July Parade August 19 Monthly Meeting September 16 Monthly Meeting October 21 Monthly Meeting November 18 Monthly Meeting December 08 Boulder City Christmas Parad Richard Furniss, President Newsletter Editors and Contributors: Las Vegas Electric Vehicle Association web site Address Correspondence to: Call for Information: 1. LVEVA Board of Directors' Elections for 3 Positions at December 17th Monthly Meeting
LVEVA Board of Directors' Elections for 3 Positions at December 17th Monthly Meeting The Las Vegas Electric Vehicle Association, as a chapter of the international Electric Auto Association, conforms to rules of governance
determined by the parent non-profit organization. Each chapter is governed by a Board of Directors that, in turn, elects the officers for the chapter—President, Vice-President, and Secretary Treasurer. Board of Directors members
have seniority positions within each chapter due to their record of activities and are elected by their peer LVEVA members. There are seven Board Member positions for this LVEVA chapter. Each Board Member serves a three-year term
and re-election for at least two positions is scheduled in December of each year. Also at the end of the year, the Board of Directors convenes on its own after these elections to install new officers for the upcoming year.
Current LVEVA Board Members are: Al Sawyer, Al D'Inzillo, Adam Howard, Bill Kuehl, Bill Yule, Richard Furniss and Jan Himber. The positions held by Al Sawyer and Al D'Inzillo have reached the end of their terms and the two Board
Members are up for re-election during this cycle. In addition, Board Member Adam Howard has chosen to resign his position, leaving 3 seats open for election. This year's nominees for those three positions were: Al Sawyer, Al
D'Inzillo, Danny Gersten, Don Sepka, Jon Hallquist, Stan Hanel and John Bullis. Voting was performed by secret ballot from all registered members attending the December 17th LVEVA meeting at the Flamingo Public Library as well as
from absentee votes submitted to President Richard Furniss and Secretary/Treasurer Bill Kuehl. The newly elected LVEVA Board of Board of Directors for the three seats now include:
All LVEVA members are encouraged to attend the meetings posted in this newsletter and to support the continued growth of the LVEVA community and projects throughout 2006. Thank you for all your help! (From NASA Tech Briefs) TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS BRIEFS Cathode Material Designed for Use in Lithium-Ion Batteries
One of the factors limiting the rapid development of electric and hybrid-
The proposed LiFePO4 cathode material allows lithium-ion technology to meet The Technology Business Briefs portray licensing or selling opportunities The online Technology Exchange launched by NextTechs Technologies, LLC New Maxwell 48-Volt Boostcap UltraCapacitor for Evs Maxwell
Technologies' Boostcap™ UltraCapacitor technology has been featured in many issues of the LVEVA "Watts Happening" newsletter since the use of this technology by the BYU Electric Racing team during "Wicked Watts 2003", an
annual Electric Drag Race event supported by the LVEVA at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in conjunction with the National Electric Drag Racing Association: During "Wicked Watts 2003" the BYU Racing Team established a new electric racing class in NEDRA by
replacing the GM EV-1's battery pack with 160 Ultracapacitors wired in series to provide a 400-volt power system to the vehicle's AC electric motor and inverter/controller. The UltraCapacitor Pack was charged from a stationary
412-volt battery pack with 650 Amps, before being pushed to the starting line of the drag strip. In 2003, the team achieved respectable ¼-mile times averaging 70 mph with a single-speed transmission and standard differential. In
2005, at the Maryland Power of DC race, the team modified its mechanical drive train to reach ¼-mile speeds exceeding 90 mph on just Ultra-Capacitor Power alone. Although the range of the pack dropped off quickly and the EV-1
needed to be towed back to the Pit after each run, it showed the sheer power that UltraCapacitors can provide on a short-term basis. UltraCapacitors that can store and buffer kilowatts of electric power have many applications in
Electric Vehicles as battery and motor supplements for efficiently boosting vehicle acceleration with less overall power consumption. Any high-powered electric motor subsystem can benefit from the use of Ultracapacitors as
transient current buffers or for localized storage, including regenerative braking. Distributed subsystems with localized power sources can allow automotive electronics designers to diminish the size and quantity of wires needed in
a vehicle's cabling harness. The BMOD2600-48 modules are encased in a rugged, water-resistant, aluminum chassis. They weigh 13.5 kilograms and are 13.4 liters in
volume (420 x 200 x 160 mm). The individual MC2600 cells have a power density of 10.4 kilowatts per kilogram and an energy density of 5.6 watt-hours/kilogram. The Ultracapacitors are designed to deliver 10 times the power of
batteries, require no maintenance and operate relably at temperatures between –40 degrees Celsius and +65 degrees Celsius. These modules are currently priced at $1,900 in low-quantity purchases but drop to $1,077 for mid-volume
purchases. In large-scale, multimillion-unit volume production, Maxwell's long term goal has been to deliver pricing to large scale integrators and vendors at 1 cent per farad. For more information, visit the company's web site at:
Alternative Energy Predictions for 2006 From Thomas Net.com Industrial Market Trends: It stated: Resources:
US145 Batteries Available at Factory-Direct Prices---currently $62.10 This "Factory-Direct Price" is available to LVEVA club members if they use a trailer to pick up these batteries while purchasing directly at:
US Battery For more detailed information, contact LVEVA Vice-President Bill Yule at Telephone No: (702)566-0794
EV Parts For Sale: One 8-inch Advanced DC used motor-- asking price $800 Auburn Scientific model PC600-144 air cooled motor controller Contact William Kuehl, Email: For Sale: Chrome "Electric" Emblems for EV's
Mike Chancey - Posted 06/25/00 Chrome
"Electric" car emblems, just like the OEM factory lettering. Okay, so you own a beautiful electric vehicle, but does the world know? Show them with these profession quality "ELECTRIC" emblems. Fabricated from
weather resistant thermoplastic, these signs feature a bright chrome like finish on the letter faces with a subtle matte black background. They mount easily with the self adhesive HighTack backing. Simply peel off the protective
cover, and press the sign into place. Each sign is approximately 1.25" in height and 7" in length. Only $6.00Each or four for $20.00, plus $1.75 shipping and handling per order. Discounts for larger orders available. Send
check or money order to: Mike Chancey, 1700 East 80th Street, Kansas City, MO 64131, or order online at: EV For Sale: For Sale: Electric 1985 Pontiac "Fiero" --Record-Holding Race Car This 1985 Pontiac "Fiero"
Conversion currently holds four National Electric Drag Racing Association (NEDRA) Class Records at: 1. Class MC/F (Modified Conversion 97-120 volts) The 1985 Pontiac Fiero has been converted with: 2. A DCP T-REX 1000 Water-cooled Controller with an Input Voltage Range of 96 to 336 Volts 3. The
Battery System is at 192 Volts. The battery pack consists of sixteen 12-volt sealed ODYSSEY 5. Battery Charger is a 120- to 240-volt Variable Transformer with a heavy-duty full bridge rectifier. Contact: William Kuehl 1. New US 125 Batteries (18 six-volt batteries in series for a 108-volt System) 2. Battery Management System (Charge
Regulators on each battery prevent High-Voltage threshold overcharging allowing equalization of all batteries in the pack; Low-Voltage Battery Monitor circuitry and LED's on each battery indicate when Low-Voltage threshold reached
during battery pack discharge and Electric Vehicle operation) 3. CableForm Controller 5. Re-conditioned Prestolite ™ Motor
6. Power Disc Brakes (Electric Vacuum Pump Assist) 7. Electric Motor-Powered Air Conditioning System 8. Power Steering 9. Power Windows 10. AM/FM Radio with Automatic Antenna Extension 11. 5-speed Transmission
12. Range: Approximately 40 miles per charge 13. Speed: 70-plus miles per hour Email: ajev@earthlink.net
Month Date Activity
January 20 Monthly Meeting
April 22 Earth Day Exhibits
July 15 Monthly Meeting
December 16 Monthly Meeting
LVEVA Board of Directors:
Bill Yule, Vice President
Bill Kuehl, Secretary/Treasurer
Al Sawyer
Jan Himber
Al D'Inzillo
Stan Hanel
Richard Furniss
Bill Kuehl
Al Sawyer, P.E.
Jan Himber
Adam Howard
Brent Singleton
Kent Singleton
Stan Hanel
WATTS HAPPENING
is published monthly by the
Las Vegas Electric Vehicle Association,
a chapter of the Electric Auto Association
Electric Auto Association web site
http://www.eaaev.org
LVEVA
2515 Hightree Street
No. Las Vegas, NV 89030
Richard Furniss (702) 453-6196
Jan Himber for Al Sawyer (702) 642-4000
Bill Kuehl (702) 636-0304
Contents:
2. Li Polymer Battery Cathode Improvement for EV batteries (NASA Tech Briefs)
3. New Maxwell 48-Volt UltraCapacitor Module for EVs
4. Alternative Energy Predictions for 2006
5. EV Parts and EV's For Sale
Al Sawyer, Al D'Inzillo and Stan Hanel.
New Improvements to Li-Polymer Battery Cathodes:
electric vehicles (EV/HEV) is the cost and performance of batteries. Lithium-
ion battery technology represents the state of the art for portable electronics,
but in order to meet the demands of EV/HEV, further development is required,
especially in the area of cathode materials.
the demands of the EV/HEV application.
included in NextTechs' $2.0 billion Technology Portfolio. Access this brief
and others at:
contains 140 research disciplines in 26 technology sectors, representing
352 companies and 41 industries. Search NextTechs' Technology Portfolio at:
Maxwell Technologies continues to refine its Boostcap™ product line by improving the power and storage capacity of its UltraCapacitors for EV, Industrial Motor, and Wind Power generation
with the introduction of the new BMOD2600-48 module. This 48-volt UltraCapacitor module consists of eighteen 2.7-volt MC2600 cells that are balanced together in a serial electrical circuit to total 48-volts. Each 48-volt pack can
also be balanced with other 48-volt packs to create a scalable building block power platform.
These modules are also designed to work in demanding transportation and industrial environments, and will
perform reliably for more than 1 million discharge-recharge cycles. The modules include temperature and voltage monitoring.
January 04, 2006
Clean Tech & Alternative Fuels: Apathy Turns to Opportunity
By David R. Butcher
High-priced oil and
environmental disasters of 2005, as well as growing arguments for global warming, will perhaps usher in a new year that sees vague concern turn into serious business opportunity among companies that will thus provide cleaner
technologies and alternative fuels.
"The growing evidence of global warming, the stubbornly high price of oil and environmental disasters such as the chemical spill [last month] in China's southern Guangdong province,"
reported the Mercury News, "are all forces driving demand for cleaner energy, better monitoring of energy and other chemical use, and easier ways to clean water."
The Associated Press (via Wired News) informed us that, in
Geneva last month, the World Meteorological Organization reported that "2005 thus far [as of AP's Dec. 20 reportage] is the second warmest year on record [...]" Similar, NASA's Goddard Institute projected that "2005 will surpass
1998 to end as the hottest year globally in the 125 years since reliable records have been kept. It said warming has accelerated and is now boosting the mercury every decade by more than 0.3 degrees Fahrenheit," the NASA
researchers said.
And Mark Anderson, publisher of the Strategic News Service newsletter, recently began his prognosticating remarks to about 65 tech luminaries by "lambasting…global-warming deniers."
Whether you
believe in global warming or not, in a corroding environment or not, it's clear the price of fuel jumped dramatically in 2005, as did the number of U.S. and worldwide natural disasters. Accordingly, one thing is very likely in
2006: We will see a continued interest and stronger push to invest in clean technologies and alternative fuels throughout the year, which will present great opportunity for businesses.
According to Forbes editor/writer
Daniel Fisher's 2006 prediction, "Global warming will shift from vague concern to serious business opportunity, as local and national governments worldwide use taxes, regulations and incentives to push less carbon dioxide-intensive
technology." Fisher further said that companies that will significantly benefit would include those like General Electric and Siemens, which make advanced generating equipment, as well as companies that can reduce emissions and
sell the excess on markets like the Chicago Climate Exchange.
To wit, the International Business Forum noted that emerging growth companies delivering clean-tech products and services "represent the next big wave of
innovation." The New York-based company further noted that clean-tech investing is at an all-time high and is expected "to flourish in a range of sectors, including renewable and distributed energy, advanced materials,
transportation, and water purification and management." According to Cleantech Venture Network, venture capital firms poured a record $425 million in investments into clean-tech start-ups -- including those in fuel cell, battery
and solar technologies -- during 2005's third quarter. And in fact, many clean technologies are experiencing double-digit annual growth rates.
Most venture capitalists expect the clean-tech investment wave to continue into
2006, according to the Miami-Herald last week, in part because oil prices have stayed high long enough for many investors to consider this a long-term trend, rather than simply a passing fad.
Moreover, consider this: After a
year of record prices for oil and natural gas, noted the Miami-Herald, the world's energy companies are stepping up spending on exploration and production. "Flush with cash, they'll spend 2006 hunting for both oil and opportunities
to expand their businesses." In addition, global oil consumption is forecast to grow from 82 million barrels per day now to 111 million barrels per day over the next 20 years, so much more fuel must be found simply to keep prices
from rising dramatically. Buyers will have to pay more for crude oil in 2006 than the record prices paid in 2005, according to a poll of 30 industry analysts by the Reuters News Service.
This could be viewed as good news. In
fact, Strategic News Service's Anderson claimed the high oil prices as "the best thing that has happened in the last few years."
Whaaa!?! You read correctly. In Anderson's view, high oil prices will lead to more research
into alternative energy. It means both private and state-owned oil companies will be hunting for supplies to replace what is consumed and to meet surging global demand for oil and natural gas. Global demand for natural gas, which
is generally cleaner-burning than other fossil fuels, is soaring, according to another recent New York Times article.
As well, the Trends Research Institute, the New York-based trend-forecasting think tank, released its "Top
Trends 2006" on Dec. 15 with favorable predictions for environmental concerns.
It's taken more than thirty years after the first energy crisis for it to happen, but now, with steadily rising fuel prices and oil
companies raking in their highest on-record profits, the necessity for alternative and economic fuels (not only clean air) will be the mother of new energy inventions. While there will be steady advancements in wind, water, solar,
fuel cells, geothermal and other energy producing sources, we forecast that the greatest [earth-changing and climate-friendly] developments will be found in breakthrough technologies that explore true new sources of energy.
It helps that some of the most impressive performances among initial public offerings this year have been for solar companies, e.g., China's Suntech Power and Silicon Valley's SunPower, noted the Mercury News. Silicon Valley
venture capital firms lately have stepped up the pace of their investments in the sector, including fuel cell, battery and solar technologies.
So 2006 will bring a U.S. population of consumers, researchers and provisioning
companies that is either more aware of or more open to the idea of global warming and the related environmental impact of unclean technologies and damaging fuels. Perhaps this year will be the one to commit to and apply cleaner
technologies and greener fuels. Vague concern to serious business opportunity? Is it too soon to throw a going-away party for environment-related national apathy?
Alternative Fuels Data Center
U.S. Dept. of Energy
Energy Information Administration
www.eia.doe.gov
Annual Energy Outlook 2006
http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/index.html
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
www.ipcc.ch
U.S. Global Change Research Program
www.usgcrp.gov
Pew Center on Global Climate Change
www.pewclimate.org
References:
Industry Expert's Predictions for 2006
by Jim Louderback
PC Magazine, Dec. 19, 2005
2005 May Be Warmest Year Ever
Associated Press (via Wired News), Dec. 20, 2005
http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,69873,00.html
Top 10 tech trends for 2006
by Mercury News staff:
Jessie Seyfer, Steve Johnson, Dawn Chmielewski, Matt Marshall and Michael Bazeley
The Mercury News, Dec. 25, 2005
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/business/technology/13486960.htm
Sneak Peek 2006: Daniel Fisher On Energy
by Daniel Fisher
Forbes, Dec. 20, 2005
http://www.forbes.com/2005/12/12/energy-2006-predictions-sneakpeek_sp06_11_dfisher_ene rgy.html
International Business Forum Conferences
http://www.ibfconferences.com/ibf/viewdetails.asp?lstconfname=159
Oil companies to spend more on exploration
by Kevin G. Hall
The Miami-Herald, Dec. 27, 2005
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/business/national/13490763.htm
Analysts: Oil to rise further in '06
by editorial staff
Purchasing, Dec. 27, 2005
http://www.purchasing.com/article/CA6294121.html
Alternative Energy Movement
The Trends Journal, Winter 2005
http://www.trendsresearch.com/journal06.html
A Dispute Underscores the New Power of Gas
by Simon Romero
The New York Times, Jan. 2, 2005
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/03/business/worldbusiness/03gas.html
Related:
No More Denying It: The Planet IS Getting Hotter
by Katrina C. Arabe
Industrial Market Trends, July 06, 2005
Global Warming I: Journalism Breakdown
by Mark Devlin
Industrial Market Trends, July 08, 2005
http://news.thomasnet.com/IMT/archives/2005/07/attention_usa_t.html
EV Parts For Sale
1675 Sampson Avenue
Corona, CA 92879
Contact: Christy Delario
Telephone: (951) 371-8090
Input voltage 72-144 volts
Motor current 600 amps max
Battery current 600 amps max
dimensions 17.75 L X 7.0 W X 4.3 H
Price $1200.00
4504 W. Alexander Road, North Las Vegas, Nevada 89032
Tel: 702-636-0304
My
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Checked: 07/13/03
http://www.austinev.org/evalbum/signs.htmlhttp://www.austinev.org/evalbum/signs.html
2. Class MC/E (Modified Conversion 121-144 volts)
3. Class MC/D (Modified Conversion 145-168 volts)
4. Class MC/C (Modified Conversion 169-192 volts)
1. A new Netgain Warp-9 Electric DC Motor coupled to a 5-speed manual transmission.
and Motor Current Rating at 1000 Amps.
PC-680 batteries with the capability of increasing battery pack capacity and voltages to compete in the NEDRA MC/B Class (Modified
Conversion 193-240 volts) or to a maximum capacity of 336-volts to compete in the MC/A Class (Modified Conversion 241 volts and higher).
4. Tires are B.F. Goodrich G-Force T/A Drag Radials P215/60 R14 that connect the
Electric Motor torque to the road for "no slip" acceleration.
Additional cables and connectors are installed for Dump Charging from a DC battery pack.
Asking Price: $10,000 or Best Offer.
Address: 4504 W. Alexander Road, North Las Vegas, Nevada 89032
Telephone: 702-636-0304
EV For Sale: 1981 Lectra Centauri (4-door sedan) $5, 700 or Best Offer
4. On-board Lester "Lectronics" Battery Charger
Call: Al Sawyer
Tel: (702) 642-4000
