> I checked out the patent...a recharging method for electric vehicles
> while they are running and braking...interesting....I am looking into a
> device that is claimed to rejuvenate batteries (lead acid) so they will
> last an estimated 200 years instead of having to be replaced every 3-5
> years. I am told it costs from $950-1000 to replace a battery pack in a
> golfcart or forklift. And that has to be done every few years, depending
> on how many times it has been recharged....that's what causes the
> problems....the device is totally fascinating..
I know this ain't related to the electric vehicles or batteries - but it
reminded me of something I forgot to post about earlier. Was anyone
watching NBC Nightly News on 03/02/98 (ie Monday)? There was a report
there on a guy who lives in some place called 'Eel Pie Island' near London
who's pioneered work on mechanical-powered radios, flashlights, and even a
small mechanical-spring generator to power his laptop. The problem?
I didn't catch his name -- and using Altavista and every other search
engine I can think of has wielded nothing. Did anyone catch this guy's
name? The idea isn't totally new -- but using mechanical-motion and
springs to store energy for electrical appliances is really rather
ingenious -- it's one of those "duh, why didn't *I* think of that" things.
The idea of adapting a on-the-spot rechargable spring-battery for powering
a laptop or other portable appliance is fantastic.
It may not be free energy, but you have to admit --- this is some damn
good alternative technology put to use on it's own. The guy said he got
the idea when he had heard about 3rd world african nations who had no
electricity, and thus had trouble listening to radio to keep in touch ---
so he threw together his first mechanical-powered radio... just turn the
crank and it'll trickle a voltage for a few hours as it's internal springs
slowly decompress. How's THAT for genius? :)