Ask the Car People.SM


Steam Powered Car

13 messages,  Last post on Oct 06, 2008 at 8:14 AM

You are in the Speed Shop Tuning and Modification Forum.

What is this discussion about? Engine, Coupe

Messages Page 2 of 2

#11 of 13 Re: steam power [bernie14] by mrx100

Sep 03, 2008 (9:13 pm)

Replying to: bernie14 (Aug 10, 2008 3:16 am)
While I am not an engineer & do not play one on T.V. . Why is it that a steam car can't be powered by a system of batterys & a electric water heater? Like the water heater to heat ones home shower. With the current technology of batterys in electric cars. And a system of generators & solar pannels the car could run for practically free. Or am I just a dolt?

#12 of 13 Re: steam power [mrx100] by stovebolter

Oct 06, 2008 (7:54 am)

Replying to: mrx100 (Sep 03, 2008 9:13 pm)
A steam car could be powered by an electric boiler, but you'd be limited in range (batteries don't hold nearly as much energy as typical liquid fuels), and you'd be losing a lot in terms of efficiency - it's much easier to start with electricity and convert it directly to motion using a motor than it is to convert the electricity to heat, transfer the heat to water/steam, then run that energy through a steam piston. Each step has losses - particularly when you are dealing with high temperatures, so minimizing the steps helps conserve energy.

#13 of 13 Re: steam power [stovebolter] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 06, 2008 (8:14 am)

Replying to: stovebolter (Oct 06, 2008 7:54 am)
Maybe electricity could be used to PRE-HEAT a boiler but you'd be very late for the party waiting for electricity to create steam.

Messages Page 2 of 2

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement