The Tour de Sol Reports, 2004
Sponsored by The AutoAuditorium System

Tour de Sol 2004 Photos

This is the main page for collections of photographs from the 2004 Tour de Sol.

Images at http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2004/photos_001.html

Lining up for technical testing.

Rear view.

Under the hood. The engine is on the left, electric motor on the right. The case between them is the custom transmission that mixes the power from both.

Images at http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2004/photos_002.html

Notice the semi-circular side window and the rear-hinged door.

The hexagonal carbon fiber crush tubes are visible under the hood. There is a an aluminum plate between the two assemblies to prevent them from knifing through each other.

The engine is mounted forward of the gas cylinder.

Rear view.

Images at http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2004/photos_003.html

A signature of the SunPacer is its clamshell driver's door.

Another signature is the panel of solar cells on the sloping back.

With the skin off, you can see the drive wheel.

The driver's cockpit. The meters on the dashboard show the voltage from each of the 8 nickel metal hydride batteries, the pack voltage and current. 4 switchable temperature gauges also monitor the 8 batteries.

Images at http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2004/photos_004.html

Viking 23 with the air conditioning on MAX.

One of two battery strings, in the arm-rests.

Access to the diesel engine in the rear is by lifting the back ...

while you can take off the front to get to the electric motor.

A view of the cockpit.

Images at http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2004/photos_005.html

Notice the semi-circular side window and the rear-hinged door.

The hexagonal carbon fiber crush tubes are visible under the hood. There is a an aluminum plate between the two assemblies to prevent them from knifing through each other.

The engine is mounted forward of the gas cylinder.

Rear view.

Images at http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2004/photos_006.html

The solar panels total 96 Volts and trickle charge the traction battery pack.

Under the hood is neatly layed out and looks very professional.

Ready to roll!

Images at http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2004/photos_007.html

Vegginator with some of the Fuel Masters.

The new, removable fuel tank makes getting accurate milage data much easier.

The new fuel port.

Cleaning the solar panels used for the fuel making demonstrations makes them work better at generating electricity.

Everybody say "Cooking Oil!".

Images at http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2004/photos_008.html

The RunAbout Cycle pre-production prototype.

Another view that shows the extendable crank arm in the center.

The Etek motor that drives the rear wheel.

The rear gear-changing system.

The Valence K-Charge module is the white box under the seat. More energy and less weight will be quite appealing.

Images at http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2004/photos_009.html

Images at http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2004/photos_010.html

It isn't obvious from this picture, but the smaller diesel engine takes up a less space in the engine compartment. Also since all the pumps run on electricity, they don't have to be clustered around the engine, also making for less clutter.

Another view.

Images at http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2004/photos_011.html

Ready for a pleasant drive around the Burlington Festival site.

A little young to be driving, don't you think?

Somehow I keep hearing the opening theme from "The Prisoner".

Rear view. Just one wide tire.

Images at http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2004/photos_012.html

Just back from a satisfying acceleration run.

Rear view.

The Saturn engine in a Chevy body.

The battery pack and controller in the trunk. The motor is below the controller.

Images at http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2004/photos_013.html

Nancy Hazard taking the GEM out for a spin.

The fuel cell system on the back. The fuel cell itself is in the upper-right quadrant, as viewed from the rear, with the compressor mounted at the upper-center rear. The up-converter is the aluminum box on the upper-left. The radiator is lower-right. The carbon fiber wrapped fuel tank is between the seat back and the lower half of the system frame.

Images at http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2004/photos_014.html

Ready for dynammic testing.

Faculty advisor Oliver Perry and the Olympian.

Images at http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2004/photos_015.html

Ready for the dynamic tests.

In this shot you can see the new, solid aluminum front wheels.

With the nose cone removed, the front suspension and some electronics are easy to inspect and work on.

The panels come off for the Batteries and Electrical Safety inspection.

Images at http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2004/photos_016.html

A Ford F250 6.0 liter running on B100. The yellow GE ElecTrak is in the back.

Images at http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2004/photos_017.html

The METRO. The vertical guides for a pair of Quick Change modules are directly behind the front wheel, with a slanted support tube between them. The front wheel is the one with the motor.

Another view of the METRO, with the modules in place.

The Bamboo Bicycle. The electric motor is built into the front wheel. The idea is to use more native materials in the construction and bamboo is naturally strong. There is still some steel in the construction, but considerably less than normal.

The LaBomba Road Ski. It isn't obvious in this picture, but when in a turn, the whole bike leans over. There are two separate assemblies for the rider's feet, with one wheel on each one. As it leans all three wheels stay in contact with the road.

Another view of the LaBomba Road Ski.

Images at http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2004/photos_018.html

Also known as the Zero Carbon Car, the UW H2 Sparrow is striking.

The wind tubine is stowed on the right with the blades in the pouch. The fuel cell is on the left.

The Zero Carbon Car with the wind turbine deployed.

Images at http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2004/photos_019.html

Mike Strizki brought the NJ Genesis to the Tour de Sol and talked about how he is using solar energy to extract hydrogen from water and putting it in the car.

A shot of the fuel cell stacks under the hood.

And where does the energy to make the hydrogen come from? Solar panels!

Images at http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2004/photos_020.html

Woodstock's solar panels are above the truck bed.

Matt Flagg (far right) explains how a battery electric truck works, and the role of the solar panels.

Images at http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2004/photos_021.html

Tilting the solar array towards the sun maximizes the energy captured.

The solar array can be tilted to either side. It is lowered flat when the truck is driven.

Removing panels from the truck bed gives access to the batteries.

Another view of the batteries.

Images at http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2004/photos_022.html

Say Ahhh!

A picture from the rear shows the cargo space.

The battery pack is mounted below the cargo space. Cooling fans can be seen on the cover.

Images at http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2004/photos_023.html

The paint scheme on the bus tells the cleaner-air story.

Another view. See the 2003 Tour de Sol Reports for the full story of the Allison Bus. http://www.autoauditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2003/#Report16