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Automotive News & Views Gas Saving Gizmos & Gadgets
332 messages, Last post on Jul 20, 2009 at 12:19 PM
You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires
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Replying to: shipo (Feb 07, 2009 6:13 am)
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Replying to: gagrice (Feb 07, 2009 6:21 am) To which he replied: "Aha! Yes, it defies the laws of physics as we presently understand them! To which I replied that "if something defies all known laws of science and nature, we call that by definition a 'miracle', so I'm wondering if I could bring my ailing mother to your HHO generator to be cured"?
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Feb 09, 2009 12:09 pm) Ahhh, yet another fine example of a non-scientifically trained mind. 
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Replying to: shipo (Feb 09, 2009 12:16 pm) |
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OK, I thought maybe this would fall into this category and wanted to get some input from some of you engineering-types. Besides, its been dead here. Saw an ad for a lightweight pulley set for an engine. Now, of course, this idea has been around for a long time, but I gotta wonder what the gains are here. This particular set claims, although all stock sized, they are a total of 5 pounds lighter than stock, netting a total of 11 hp and 6 lbs-ft (amazing how all bolt-ons seem to add ~10 hp). I figure this MUST save fuel, too.  So... it just had me thinking. How does shaving weight off the pulleys add power? I mean, sure, its less for the engine to rotate, but 5 lbs? The engine is being asked to accelerate and maintain speed of 3500 lbs. Even if we multiply that 5 by the final drive ratio, we're still talking next to nothing in comparison to the whole picture. So what is it I'm failing to understand?
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Replying to: qbrozen (Apr 21, 2009 3:34 am) And yes, it's amazing what $2/gallon gas does to scammers. Some of you might be amused by the blog storm created by a poorly-researched article in the Dallas Morning News: Scammer dupes a reporter As part of that discussion I came up with these warning signs that you might be dealing with a scammer: 1. The claims, if true, would change the auto industry as we know it. 2. The claims as presented ignore basic scientific principles (pass them by a physics teacher at a nearby university or high school to check). 3. When those issues are noted, the inventor claims that the real reason it works is secret. 4. The inventor claims to have applied for, but not received, a patent (anyone can do that). 5. The inventor claims to be in negotiations with a major automaker, investors, or both, with no documentation. 6. When pressed, the inventor likens himself to the Wright brothers or Edison, saying 'people doubted them, too.' 7. When further pressed, the inventor (or his wife, defender, or supposed stranger, there's no way to tell in cyberspace) states that the folks asking the reasonable questions are ignorant naysayers. |
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Replying to: qbrozen (Apr 21, 2009 3:34 am) But this change would also have a downside; anything you do to reduce the inertia of the engine's rotating mass will result in a loss of idle smoothness, as well as making it somewhat more difficult to start from a standstill with a manual transmission. That is why engine manufacturers use heavy flywheels on engines which have a small number of cylinders (and also on engines which are cammed for high rpm power; when the engine's low speed responsiveness has been sacrificed to achieve that power). There was a very successful drag racer who improved his quarter mile times by installing a heavier flywheel on his engine. This worked particularly well in that venue; because drag racing performance is very dependent on how fast you can start off from the line. Since these vehicles are permitted to rev the engine to a high speed in neutral before engaging the clutch; is is not as important to have instantaneous throttle response as it is to have the greatest possible amount of torque when the clutch is engaged. |
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thanks for entertaining my curiosity. zaken - your mention of smoothness is why I've never tried one of these myself. I have read (possibly just rumors) that the difference in pulleys' weight/balance could be detrimental to the life of the bearings, as well. |
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Now that the HHO thread is (rightfully) gone, I figure this is the best place to post this link. It describes how the FTC has required Dennis Lee to stop making any claims regarding HHO. They froze his assets, too
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