Silly n00b Questions about the Prius

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(coloradospringsprius\";p=\"84370)</div>

Exactly. An electric motor will actually generate 100% of rated torque at 0 RPM. This is maximum power consumption, called "locked rotor amps."

That's why in the industrial process control field, variable frequency drives are so popular. When you start up a screw conveyor, or a pump, you instantly have maximum torque.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimXugle\";p=\"84339)</div>

Like any other car. You roll to a stop and hitchhike to the nearest gas station. You really shouldn't try to continue on the electric motor, that event may be recorded by the onboard computer and the dealer may get angry.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimXugle\";p=\"84339)</div>

Well, they're not as big as those you'll find in a newer Dodge Ram pickup, but for a car they're plenty big. My insulated coffee travel cup fits just fine. Both front and rear cupholders appear to be well thought out.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimXugle\";p=\"84339)</div>

About an inch protrudes when they're lowered. Again, for a car that isn't bad. Most cars the rear windows stay up a good 2-4 inches.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimXugle\";p=\"84339)</div>

If you're expecting a tactical nuclear strike against us, please let us know so we can cower somewhere.

Most vehicles with metal car bodies are well protected - as far as the occupants are concerned - from direct lightning strikes. The lightning will flow over the exterior of the car body.

This is known as The Faraday Cage Effect. Note that sensitive electronics may still be damaged, and sometimes after a strike a car will go dead:

http://www.lightningsafety.com/nlsi_pls/ve...cle_strike.html

Are you afraid of Calculus and Integrals? If the answer is "no," then see if your library has the following title:

"EMP Environment and System Hardness Design," by Dr. Rabindra N. Ghose, ISBN 093226316X.

Dr. Ghose was involved in a lot of high altitude nuclear weapons studies for the U.S. government. He is considered one of the leading authorities on the subject.

Long story short: there is nothing special about the Prius that gives it immunity to EMP. Like any other vehicle not specifically "hardened" to resist EMP, at the very least the onboard CANBus will latch up. More than likely, some sensitive IC's will fry.

So if you're looking for something to flee an impending ICBM strike, look for an ancient car/truck with breaker point ignition, or a diesel-powered vehicle with mechanical rotary injection pump.

BTW: you *are* aware that the former Soviet Union developed very high yield weapons, up to 100 MT and test-dropped at Novaya Zemlya as 57 MT, just for use as high altitude EMP generation? The purpose is to disrupt all electric utilities and telecommunications systems in North America.

So you won't even get a warning. Suddenly the power goes out, the phone goes dead, and the car won't start. Depending on Time To Target and Circular Error Probability, you'll be vaporized anywhere from several minutes to 20 minutes later.

So don't dwell on that. You can't do one bloody thing about it anyway.

 

One does not have to touch the car for the doors to unlock.