[geeks] [rescue] Computerfests (was: first real server hardware) -OT

[Sandwich Maker]

" From: Dan Duncan <dand at pcisys.net>
" 
" On Mon, 26 Apr 2004, Sandwich Maker wrote:
" > locomotives aren't strictly -hybrid- -- they just have electric
" > transmissions, with trivial batts that aren't even reliable for
" > cranking the prime mover -every-day-.
" 
" The design is still considered hybrid-electric.

hmmm...

" They primarily use electric because of the immense amount of starting
" torque available from electric motors (face it, you'd KILL a clutch
" in a position like that) but the technology has a well established
" install base.

they were also building - in the early days - on electric trolley
tech.  hydrostatic has also been tried, but it wasn't as successful.

" > " Why not START with a diesel?
" >
" > diesel has its own problems, but i agree.  and then there's
" > biodiesel...
" 
" Biodiesel is nice.  I still want to strangle every drooling cretin
" who suggests hydrogen or ethanol as a currently viable fuel.  They're
" essentially storage mediums at this point.

yup.  but biodiesel doesn't handle low temps well; b20 - 20% bio / 80%
kero - is the best you can run in the winter around here.

" > i would prefer lpg to natural gas - much easier to handle mobile.
" 
" Yeah, the pressures needed to liquefy NG make me a bit reluctant
" to have it under my car, and there's a big leap to getting it
" into your car.

you can't liquefy it at room temps; that's why they talk about 3000psi
tanks, or cryogenic.  and that has its own safety issues.

" Right now, I'm leaning towards diesel because
" the only change needed is to use the green handle instead of the
" black one when I fuel up, and I think people will manage.

definitely the best next step, right now.
________________________________________________________________________
Andrew Hay                                  the genius nature
internet rambler                            is to see what all have seen
adh at an.bradford.ma.us                       and think what none thought