The Very First Post for the Gaia Cart Project!!!
I don't really know if I am even going to call it the Gaia Cart, but I need a name and that's as good as any for now.
This Blog is going to be about myself and my daughters building a sustainable transportation unit that is good for the planet. I may post one time, or they may post. They are all under 7 so their posts may not be as coherent as mine....or perhaps they will be more so...who knows.
Our premise is to start with the plans for a 'Side Kick' from americanspeedster and modify it. Obviously I need to hold a little more weight in the vehicle as it only holds 2 people and I want to hold 2 people, a few kids, and my groceries.
Stage 1 will be to modify the plans and build it. Simply a pedal car.
Stage 2 will be to add a BionX kit to it. This will allow it to run on electric and pedal energy.
Stage 3 will be to have either a small solar array to charge the BionX unit or solar panels mounted directly on the Gaia Cart to charge.
At the end of stage 3, this will be a completely sustainable vehicle with no power coming from the grid. The only power will come from the sun, the wind, and my leg muscles which may or may not be powered by mars bars....depending on the rumours you here.
I have a number of things to figure out with Stage 1 even.
1. What to name this thing. I want it to be a name that reflects a green lifestyle. I though Gaia Cart is not bad as it reflects green (Gaia) and sounds kind of like 'go cart'.
2. Do I keep the plans as is and try to see what the thing will hold? Or do I modify them where I see structural weaknesses now? Perhaps I will build a model. The trade off is weight vs. Strength. A more sound frame will weigh more and hold more and be more solid, but it will come at a cost of being tougher to pedal and tougher to power with a motor.
3. Do I upgrade from 1.25" PVC to 1.5" PVC. The 1.5 will hold more weight and comes with more interesting connectors.
4. Do I reinforce the frame with steel? I have read online those that have built the sidekick are satisfied with how it holds up....so perhaps the steel is not needed. Maybe I will try it without and rebuild the frame with steel if it breaks. I mean if it ain't broke...it just needs more features. Or so they say at Chrysler.
5. Do I install the hood mounted missile launchers with blue or strap them on? And what sort of missiles are allowed within the city. If I launch a grapefruit instead of a thermonuclear device...is that acceptable?
Just some things to ponder.
Mechanic B, Team Hunt
I don't really know if I am even going to call it the Gaia Cart, but I need a name and that's as good as any for now.
This Blog is going to be about myself and my daughters building a sustainable transportation unit that is good for the planet. I may post one time, or they may post. They are all under 7 so their posts may not be as coherent as mine....or perhaps they will be more so...who knows.
Our premise is to start with the plans for a 'Side Kick' from americanspeedster and modify it. Obviously I need to hold a little more weight in the vehicle as it only holds 2 people and I want to hold 2 people, a few kids, and my groceries.
Stage 1 will be to modify the plans and build it. Simply a pedal car.
Stage 2 will be to add a BionX kit to it. This will allow it to run on electric and pedal energy.
Stage 3 will be to have either a small solar array to charge the BionX unit or solar panels mounted directly on the Gaia Cart to charge.
At the end of stage 3, this will be a completely sustainable vehicle with no power coming from the grid. The only power will come from the sun, the wind, and my leg muscles which may or may not be powered by mars bars....depending on the rumours you here.
I have a number of things to figure out with Stage 1 even.
1. What to name this thing. I want it to be a name that reflects a green lifestyle. I though Gaia Cart is not bad as it reflects green (Gaia) and sounds kind of like 'go cart'.
2. Do I keep the plans as is and try to see what the thing will hold? Or do I modify them where I see structural weaknesses now? Perhaps I will build a model. The trade off is weight vs. Strength. A more sound frame will weigh more and hold more and be more solid, but it will come at a cost of being tougher to pedal and tougher to power with a motor.
3. Do I upgrade from 1.25" PVC to 1.5" PVC. The 1.5 will hold more weight and comes with more interesting connectors.
4. Do I reinforce the frame with steel? I have read online those that have built the sidekick are satisfied with how it holds up....so perhaps the steel is not needed. Maybe I will try it without and rebuild the frame with steel if it breaks. I mean if it ain't broke...it just needs more features. Or so they say at Chrysler.
5. Do I install the hood mounted missile launchers with blue or strap them on? And what sort of missiles are allowed within the city. If I launch a grapefruit instead of a thermonuclear device...is that acceptable?
Just some things to ponder.
Mechanic B, Team Hunt
2 comments:
So cool, mechanic B! I want a cart like this too. I like 'Gaia Cart' for the name. If any other idea's come to mind I'll post them for your concideration. *grin*
Oh, this comment was me, yesterday. I'm not to familiar with blogging,,, *laugh* other than LJ.
:)
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