Grandma Ducks car "Detroit"

[aston]

Hi,

I was browsing through the projects page and came across a comment by “drivesafe” regarding electric cars
.
Tim “drivesafe’ mentioned Bill Dorings father his name was “Roy”
I knew “Roy quite well and one of his pride and joys was his “Detroit Electric Car”

I fondly called it “Grandma Ducks” car but; there is reason to believe that her car was a “Baker Electric” in the comic strip.

Roy quite regularly took it out for a spin around the Rockdale, Arncliffe area of Sydney much to the amazement and bemusement of the people.
He often sat at the traffic lights at Rockdale Seven Ways traffic lights and waited for the lights to change to green.

When the lights changed “Roy” pushed the hand lever forward and he was off....!
Nothing could catch him for the first 20 metres in that green 4wheel aquarium (torque of that electric motor)

We haven’t come very far when you realise that we are now looking at the same technology 90 years later:eek:

Thanks Tim for reminding me of some of the wonderful experinces that we have had as young blokes growing up.:D

Cheers Aston

[p38arover]

Interesting thread. I had to look up Grandma Duck's Car - see http://goofy313g.free.fr/calisota_online/cars/grandma.html

It appears it was also a Detroit Electric, not a Baker.

Ron

[wovenrovings]

Talking of electric, here is a landrover converted to electric. http://www.evparts.com/about/roverFaceOffPhotos.html

[crash]

A few years ago Fourwheeler magazine (from the US) had a write up on a landrover that was converted to electric (It may be the same vehicle as fetured in the link). From memory it had an electric motor at each wheel. For remote trips the owner would carry a small petrol generator in which he used to recharge the batteries with.
There is a company in Canada that sells kits to turn a Chevy S10 and I think a Civic into an electric car. The Electric motor replaces the petrol engine. The range and top speed unfortunately are not very high or far, but would be perfect for a commuter car in the city or for short trips only.
There was a guy from SA in the 50's by the name of Blashke that converted a motorcycle to electric. It was featured in an australian motorcycle magazine at the time.
You are right in saying that the technology has been around for a VERY LONG time and now it is being revisisted.

[scrambler]

It's the battery technology that's come a long way, and needs to go further. Theres very little additional efficiency to be gained in electric motors.

Personally, I'd like to see an electric engine-at-each-wheel 4wd setup. Virtually unlimited axle articulation, individual control of wheel speed without overheating brakes. And max torque when stationary - brilliant for that almost-too-steep hill. And no axles or diffs to break.

Someone must have thought of it already. I might need to do some googling!

[crash]

I know that GMC had a concept 4wd where the elctric motors where attached directly to the wheels.

[shorty943]

Want some damned good sealing in the shunt motors.

I have visions of an electrified driver half way through a puddle. No? Maybe some Hollyweird SFX with blue flashing sparks and a dead electric car.

I don't even have a high opinion of electric fork lifts and such.

Grandma Duck's car, hell, that took some remembering. Looked a bit like a Henry A model with a really tall roof. 53 years old and I just found out Granny Duck drove an electric car.
Another gem of useless information, love it.

[Bigbjorn]

Personally, I'd like to see an electric engine-at-each-wheel 4wd setup. Virtually unlimited axle articulation, individual control of wheel speed without overheating brakes. And max torque when stationary - brilliant for that almost-too-steep hill. And no axles or diffs to break.

Someone must have thought of it already. I might need to do some googling!

Most diesel- electric mining trucks have wheel motors. They also have regenerative braking.