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My Smart Fortwo Pure

Started by BigWarpGuy, 2008.03.28, 19:31:41

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Saijin_Naib

I hear you Robert, and I agree, I know hybrid drive isn't the solution, but its a good stop-gap and stepping stone. Peoples mentalities are going to have to adjust to a new lifestyle and product, and hybrid cars are enough of a compromise that they should be an easy pill to swallow.

As for asbestos, there are two forms: white and blue asbestos. One is harmful and can cause asbestoses, one is not. Most asbestos was actually the non-harmful one as the other was not as common. Go figure, sensationalism lives on to this day, with people freaking about asbestos any time they hear of it.

There is more to the Smart that I like, rather than just its fuel economy. I like the design philosophy, and the green mandate the company has. Its all available on the global smart website.

BigWarpGuy

I did not realize there would be so many replies to my post. I was just bragging about my little car.  ;D

As a hybrid, I wonder how they would put it in such a little space. There isn't room for a spare. Perhaps they can be like the diesel/electric trains where the engine powers a generator and the electric motors do the actual powering of the wheels.

Gas fuel is way more available than diesel fuel and some times costs more.

saborion2

#17
Got to tell ya "BigWarpGuy" and was curious to know what the heck was "Smart Fortwo" and thought that it could have even one of those "tricks" to get one to click on a link; but, as it turned out you are having to say this now; "I did not realize there would be so many replies to my post. I was just bragging about my little car.  Grin" For sure, I just can't wait to have a go at the "numbers" on a "Spread Sheet" running on OS/2 so that we can have the/some actual figures to show and not rely on other people's assumptions. All in all I think that "Smart Fortwo" is really cool; and, many thanks for the info on it. Now, there are two products on the marketing radar screen - "Cassini", and "Smart Fortwo"   ;D ;) ;D


Saijin_Naib

"I just can't wait to have a go at the "numbers" on a "Spread Sheet" running on OS/2 so that we can have the/some actual figures to show and not rely on other people's assumptions."

What the hell does that even mean, and what does that have to do with anything?

saborion2

"What the hell does that even mean, and what does that have to do with anything?" Now "Saijin_Naib"; are you trying to spoil a rather nice gaff or what. FYI at about 17-18 years old I had a stint at machining a few spare parts for a Rolls Royce that was presented to a training institution which I attended as an apprentice this alone should give an indication of the appreciation of babies like the "Smart Fortwo"; and, the "numbers" and "spread sheet" mention have much to do with the "economics" (energy saving...) of the ownership of a vehicle such as "Smart Fortwo". It may be quite understandable if "numbers crunching" is one of your favorite daily activities.  8). Hey "BigWarpGuy"; just to let you know that I have taken the liberty of forwarding "the link" to a few former colleagues of mine in Canada and South America. Here is what the email said in part; "This does not look like the PMTC's Rolls Royce but I really think that I am going to make my reservation". Quite sure you understand the feeling. ;D. Once again a really nice post and thanks for sharing.  ;)


BigWarpGuy

You are welcome.

http://www.smart.com This is the global link for Smart. :) It would be neat one day to make the Smart Fortwo 'smart' by installing a car computer. I saw a book and site called 'Geek My Ride'. :)
http://www.geekmyride.net/ There is a mini-itx project that is similar. http://www.mini-itx.com/projects/bmwpc/   8)

Saijin_Naib

#21
There are pre-built Car-puters on Ebay (for much too much $ if you ask me) that use mini-itx and the VIA C7 series processors.

Heres a service that will prepare a Liliput Touch screen (http://www.mechatroniks.com/wrx/ordering.html). I saw it in a car tuning magazine over the summer.

Some prepared Double-Din touchscreens (http://www.digitalww.com/store/products.asp?cat=8)

BigWarpGuy

I book marked both sites. Thanks for the links.  ;D

8)

http://www.mini-itx.com/store/?c=39#pxdio
http://www.mini-itx.com/reviews/pico-itx/
The small main board (picot itx) for a small car (computer)?  ??? 8)

Robert Deed

I've built several mini itx computers for cars (more specifically VW Jetta & Golf). Integrating them into the system by installing them inside of the cd changer, and using pre-existing cabling for power.  The mini-itx is a great platform and really fun to work with. 

I however do not use touchscreens.  I've found the quality of the screens to be too hit or miss to be worth the effort.  My systems were using a bluetooth keyboard with a custom dongle which I made (so that it supports OS/2).  The systems are running ecs, w/ firefox a os/2 compatible wifi and z! on one of the systems, while the others use xp w/ a custom shell which I wrote.

The only thing I am not sure of on the smart is if the smart uses standard sized din's for the radio.  This can hurt your avility to use over the counter displays, you may need to custom fabricate something.

Quote from: BigWarpGuy on 2008.03.31, 02:05:53
You are welcome.

http://www.smart.com This is the global link for Smart. :) It would be neat one day to make the Smart Fortwo 'smart' by installing a car computer. I saw a book and site called 'Geek My Ride'. :)
http://www.geekmyride.net/ There is a mini-itx project that is similar. http://www.mini-itx.com/projects/bmwpc/   8)

Robert Deed

BTW... BigWarpGuy... let me know this winter how it is in the snow =)  I have plans to buy something slightly more economical then my modded 270hp turbocharged 1.8 Jetta..  I'm looking for something in the 40+ range since my car currently gets about 30-32.  Chances are I am going to take the jump to a rabbit or jetta tdi (~50mpg) or a Tiguan (new compact VW SUV) tdi which will be about 49mpg.  There is a service station near me which sells biodiesel quite a bit less expensive thenthe premium fuel my jetta drinks.

BigWarpGuy

There isn't a lot of snow that comes down in New Jersey. The last winter was really mild with little snow coming down. There might be more snow this fall but it is a wait and see type of thing. To drive in the snow, I might have to drive north to find some to drive in.  ;D  It handles well in the rain. We get a lot of rain in New Jersey. I think we might change our logo from the Garden State to the Americas Rain Forest since we get a lot more rain than snow.  :D When and if we get some snow in the fall, I will let you know how well it handles.  8)

It is neat that you have a place where bio-diesel is available and at a low(er) price. I think that is cool.

If you go to the Smart international site at http://www.smart.com , there is a photo of a Smart that has 'micro hybrid drive' on it. I guess it would have to be a micro version of they hybrid drive system since the Smart is so small.  ;D

Saijin_Naib

Weird, I didnt know you were in NJ too BWG. How does it handle the potholes on 287 and 78? :P Have you been highway cruising yet?

saborion2

Re: "I think we might change our logo from the Garden State to the Americas Rain Forest since we get a lot more rain than snow. :D  When and if we get some snow in the fall, I will let you know how well it handles.  8)

It is neat that you have a place where bio-diesel is available and at a low(er) price. I think that is cool...." How about running the "thing" on "ETHANOL".  ;D ;D ;D

BTW "BigWarpGuy"; Is there an OS/2 User Group currently active in New Jersey?


Saijin_Naib

Eep, Id suggest against ethanol. Nearly all ethanol is currently produced from food-grade corn, wasting food that could be used for human consumption. Not to mention ethanol has miserable efficiency, and it puts undue strain on all the engine internals as well as all the liquid transport mechanisms.

BigWarpGuy

Quote from: Saijin_Naib on 2008.04.02, 21:12:25
Weird, I didnt know you were in NJ too BWG. How does it handle the potholes on 287 and 78? :P Have you been highway cruising yet?

I live in East Windsor New Jersey - Mercer County. I consider it central Jersey. I have read of an OS/2 group in the north eastern part of New Jersey but have not really got a chance to go their meeting. It is at least an hour north of me.
http://www.njlinux.org/ It says it is a Linux group but also lists OS/2. http://www.njpcug.org/
It would be nice if there was an address or e-mail to contact them with.