Update: Developing electric vehicle battery technology

By Bob Difley A lot of hype and optimism attach to press releases and news reports on not only the future growth of electric vehicles (inevitable) but also in what will be the jump start to propel them  fully into the mainstream. Though electric vehicle market saturation is only in the single digits, we hear a lot about the Nisson Leaf and Chevy Volt (photo), and it seems that every other automobile and light truck manufacturer – including dozens of start-ups around the world – are jumping on the bandwagon and trying to catch up with the market leaders. For RVers, we can hope for development of electric dinghys that will re-charge from the main RV engine while towing or from a plug-in at campgrounds and public re-charging spots while on the road. Light trucks must have enough torque to pull a small trailer or carry the weight of a small motorhome.  And of course, range and cost are currently the problems. Hybrids, where you have the power and range of a supplemental gasoline engine such as in the Prius and Volt, are the logical interim step to full electric like the Tesla or Leaf. But they will not become a hit with most mainstream car buyers until a battery–or other energy storage system–can deliver on reduced size, lighter weight, lower price, and a range of at least 300 miles. Progress is being made by research institutions such as Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LAL) in Berkeley, California, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.... Read more

Tips to a Long Lasting Generator

If a generator is properly maintained and cared for it is quite possible it will last longer than the RV itself. Here are some of my tips to a long lasting generator. 1)      Carbon Monoxide Poisoning:  My first tip won’t extend the life of your RV’s generator, but it could save someone’s life. Carbon Monoxide gas is invisible, odorless and deadly. If for any reason your RV does not have a functioning CO gas detector you need to purchase and install one designed for use in Recreation Vehicles (follow the manufacturer instructions for proper installation). Test the CO detector for proper operation prior to each RV trip. Inspect the generator exhaust system before starting the generator, and never run the generator set with a damaged or leaking exhaust system. Do not leave windows open when running the generator and do not park in close proximity to obstacles like buildings or other RVs when running the generator set. Be cautious of other RV owners running their generators close to where you are parked, and never sleep while the generator is running.  2)      Preventive Maintenance: The key to a long lasting generator set is periodic maintenance. When it comes to generator sets we are primarily concerned with two types of maintenance, preventive maintenance and routine maintenance. Both can add years of life to your generator set. Preventive maintenance is maintenance you perform on your generator before a problem exists. These checks are designed to prevent... Read more

Vintage Trailer Restoration Project Captured on Video

  Earlier this year video producer Mark Polk, of RV Education 101, decided to produce an online RV series, titled “Mark’s RV Garage.”  Polk explained the goal of the show was to help educate and entertain RV consumers and RV enthusiasts. When considering a feature segment for the new RV series Polk decided to tackle a vintage trailer restoration project. Little did he know at the time the scope the restoration project would entail.  Unforeseen damage, below the surface of the exterior metal, would result in dismantling the project trailer down to the bare frame and rebuilding it from the ground up. Adding to the complexity of an already daunting challenge Polk’s plans included upgrading the old trailer with modern day RV equipment and amenities. As season one of the new RV series progressed each step of the vintage restoration project was captured along the way. What initially began as a 10 episode season evolved into 17 episodes, culminating in the season finale where the finished product was revealed to viewers for the first time. When asked to recap season one of “Mark’s RV Garage” Polk responded, “I think anybody who likes RVs, or is thinking an RV might be in their future would not only enjoy watching the vintage restoration project unfold, but could learn a great deal from the series too. To view season one episodes of Mark’s RV Garage visit this You Tube link Happy RV Learning, Mark Polk RV Education 101 RV Consumer  Read More →

Mark’s RV Garage Season One Finale Released

RV Education 101 releases the season finale of the new Internet based RV How-To series titled “Mark’s RV Garage.” The new episode is available for viewing at www.rvconsumer.com and on You Tube            After 16 bi-monthly episodes the highly anticipated season finale is released, revealing the completed vintage trailer restoration for the very first time. Season finale highlights:  * The Old Yellowstone trailer gets a fresh coat of paint. * Polk installs a new 3,500 pound Dexter axle. * The electric brakes are converted to disc brakes with the addition of new brake rotors, calipers, and a Actulink electric/hydraulic brake actuator. To complete the new braking system Polk adds a DirecLink Network Enhanced brake controller. * Before the trailer can hit the road for the first time Polk installs an Equalizer hitch. * Mark Polk reflects back on season one through a series of Q&A. * All of this and more on the season finale of “Mark’s RV Garage”   If you missed previous episodes of Mark’s RV Garage they are archived at www.rvconsumer.com for easy retreival and viewing Happy RV Learning, Mark Polk www.rvconsumer.com www.rveducation101.com  Read More →

New battery design could be game changer for electric vehicles

By Bob Difley A radically new approach to the design of batteries, developed by researchers at MIT,” reports Physorg.com, “could provide a lightweight and inexpensive alternative to existing batteries for electric vehicles and the power grid. The technology could even make ’refueling’ such batteries as quick and easy as pumping gas into a conventional car.” The new battery uses a method called a semi-solid flow cell, where solid particles are “suspended in a carrier liquid and pumped through the system. In this design, the battery’s active components — the positive and negative electrodes, or cathodes and anodes — are composed of particles suspended in a liquid electrolyte. These two different suspensions are pumped through systems separated by a filter, such as a thin porous membrane.” The report states that “one important characteristic of the new design is that it separates the two functions of the battery — storing energy until it is needed, and discharging that energy when it needs to be used — into separate physical structures. (In conventional batteries, the storage and discharge both take place in the same structure.) Separating these functions means that batteries can be designed more efficiently . . . ” If this design works out as tests have indicated, it will have the effect of reducing the size of EV batteries to half their size. It will also reduce the cost making EVs more competitive with gas or diesel... Read more

Mark’s RV Garage Episode #15 RV Intenet Show Released

RV Education 101 releases Episode #15 of the new Internet based RV How-To series titled “Mark’s RV Garage.” The new episode is available for viewing at www.rvconsumer.com and on  You Tube            * Polk installs the exterior metal and windows in the vintage trailer restoration project.  * Watch the installation of a Voyager Digital Wireless Observation System with WiSight technology  * Find out what Polk considers to be RV Maintenance Mishaps and see what you can do to avoid them.  *All of this and more on this episode of “Mark’s RV Garage”  If you missed previous episodes of Mark’s RV Garage they are archived at www.rvconsumer.com for easy retreival and viewing Episode # 16 will be available for viewing on 05 September 2011. Happy RV Learning, Mark Polk www.rvconsumer.com www.rveducation101.com  Read More →

Mark’s RV Garage Episode #14 RV Internet Show Released

RV Education 101 releases Episode #14 of the new Internet based RV How-To series titled “Mark’s RV Garage.” The new episode is available for viewing at www.rvconsumer.com and on  You Tube          On this episode of Mark’s RV Garage: * Mark installs a new RV 500 tankless water heater and tests the electrical system on the vintage trailer restoration project.  * Discover a product that will keep your motorhome wheels going straight even if there is a blowout.  * Get some preventive maintenance tips on how to check the air pressure in your tires.  * All of this and more on this episode of Mark’s RV Garage.  If you missed previous episodes of Mark’s RV Garage they are archived at www.rvconsumer.com for easy retreival and viewing Episode # 15 will be available for viewing on 22 August 2011. Happy RV Learning, Mark Polk www.rvconsumer.com www.rveducation101.com  Read More →

Mark’s RV Garage Episode #13 RV Internet Show Released

RV Education 101 releases Episode #13 of the new Internet based RV How-To series titled “Mark’s RV Garage.” The new episode is available for viewing at www.rvconsumer.com and on You Tube            On this episode of Mark’s RV Garage: * Mark installs a new Dometcic refrigerator, Hamilton Beach Microwave and finishes wiring the vintage trailer with some GFCI outlets.  * Discover how to keep your RV battery topped off with a Sunforce solar battery charger.  * Get some preventive maintenance tips on how to increase the life of your tow vehicle or motorhome engine.  * All of this and more on this episode of Mark’s RV Garage.  If you missed previous episodes of Mark’s RV Garage they are archived at www.rvconsumer.com for easy retreival and viewing Episode # 14 will be available for viewing on 08 August 2011. Happy RV Learning, Mark Polk www.rvconsumer.com www.rveducation101.com  Read More →

The Future Is Here: Escape the Earth

The future is officially with us. Well it is almost upon us. Another flying car attempts liftoff—alert the staff at Popular Mechanics. (Credit: extremetech.com) When pigs fly! That’s the conclusion you’d draw from 75 years of magazine covers promising that the flying car was just around the corner. But hope springs eternal. Welcome to the future our forefathers were dreaming about: the world’s first flying car is finally here! Well, you still need a runway, or at least, sort of. Flying Car Cleared for Highway Use The first flying car has come closer to lift-off after being granted road safety exemptions that will allow it to be used both on the road and in the air—and that brings delivery to the first customer closer to reality. That’s right—the only flying car you can buy today has just been approved for highway driving by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The organization granted a special exemption for the Terrafugia Transition, under the provision of “roadable aircraft.” Terrafugia (ter-ra-FOO-gee-ah), Inc., of Woburn, Massachusetts was founded in 2006 by award-winning MIT-trained aeronautical engineers and MBAs who also happen to be private pilots. Terrafugia is derived from the Latin for “Escape the Earth”. The company’s mission is to provide innovative solutions to the challenges facing personal aviation. The result is the Transition® Roadable Aircraft. Terrafugia flying car gets road-safety exemptions. (Credit:... Read more

Mark’s RV Garage Episode #10 Released

RV Education 101 releases Episode #10 of the new Internet based RV How-To series titled “Mark’s RV Garage.” The new episode is available for viewing at www.rvconsumer.com and on You Tube           On this episode of Mark’s RV Garage: * Mark installs a shower surround, tile and toilet, and starts wiring the power center in the Yellowstone restoration project. * Learn how to install and use a Tire Minder Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) in your RV * Discover a quick tip on a spray lubricant and rust remover you need to keep available in your shop or garage. * All of this and more on this episode of Mark’s RV Garage If you missed previous episodes of Mark’s RV Garage they are archived at www.rvconsumer.com for easy retreival and viewing Episode # 11 will be available for viewing on 27 June 2011. Happy RV Learning, Mark Polk www.rvconsumer.com www.rveducation101.com  Read More →

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