article thumbnail

A DIY E-bike Conversion on the Cheap

Cars That Think

I'd read about such friction-drive arrangements and had followed the work of a cyclist in Australia known as Kepler who had devised a clever articulated mount that allows the motor to retract from the wheel when not applying power. I next needed to decide on an electronic speed controller (ESC) to power the motor. James Provost.

DIY 145
article thumbnail

A DIY E-bike Conversion on the Cheap

Cars That Think

I'd read about such friction-drive arrangements and had followed the work of a cyclist in Australia known as Kepler who had devised a clever articulated mount that allows the motor to retract from the wheel when not applying power. I next needed to decide on an electronic speed controller (ESC) to power the motor. James Provost.

DIY 98
article thumbnail

False Starts: The Story of Vehicle-to-Grid Power

Cars That Think

It occurred in the wake of the California electricity crisis of 2000 and 2001, when mismanaged deregulation, market manipulation, and environmental catastrophe combined to unhinge the power grid. If too much or too little electricity is present in the power grid, the network can suddenly become unbalanced.

Grid 138
article thumbnail

Stuff We Use: Under Pressure (Washers)

The Truth About Cars

For ages, this writer used a gasoline-powered pressure washer, firm in the belief it ran better and more reliably than any cheap electric plug-in unit ever would. battery-powered household tools have come a long way from the Bad Old Days – and are even light years ahead in terms of performance than those on sale just a few years ago.

Juice 105
article thumbnail

Stuff We Use: External Speakers

The Truth About Cars

We’ve used this speaker and it is decently robust with good sound, clearly designed to weather a few knocks and scrapes in typical Jeep environments whilst also able to provide a bit of juice to devices via its USB port. The battery is more than enough for an evening’s party.

Jeep 116
article thumbnail

We’re the New Renewables

Cars That Think

JUICE BOX For many years, environmentalists have looked forward to the coming of net-zero-energy buildings. But the net-zero target would never have been reachable without innovations in renewable- energy generation that let structures generate power on- site. Enjoy the latest images, and if you have suggestions, leave a comment below.

article thumbnail

2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon Review – Charged-Up Jeep

The Truth About Cars

Now you can run it solely on electric power for up to 21 miles and plug it in to charge. Speaking of warning, we can’t say we didn’t warn you that this Jeep doesn’t come cheap. Then again, one can argue that a 392 Wrangler is also better than a standard one – it too offers prodigious power, and a V8 soundtrack is great.

Jeep 98