Handicap Vehicle for Playa Touring: The Babe

[lectroPOP]

Goood for Cris. Have fun. we are.

[ranger magnum]

Hey all you lovely people. Sooooo my bro Chris stock has done something awesome.... Bought a massive bus for everyone to enjoy at bm 2015 and beyond! He has suck grand plans this thing ain't gonna be cheap... Roof top dance floor, dj booth, top shelf bar fully stocked, firemans pole, slide, full lazer and psychedelic light show going on inside. Basically it's gonna rock...

Cool. It will look great parked next to the dozens of other similar MV's.

[playastewart]

Yeah! So glad to see more mobility on playa. I'm just about to post my fundraising efforts for simple taxi services to get the alternatley abled to your art cars. Will be in touch I'm sure. Thanks!

[lectroPOP]

Sent a message to playastewart about their last post.

[Elderberry]

I found on the playa that I tend to use very little fuel while driving around. My artcar has a older VW engine that probably gets 20mpg. I have a 6 gallon marine gas tank in it and use only around 2 gallons a day. It may be overkill to get a very large tank for an artcar. I also carry a tiny 1 gallon gas can with me in the car just in case--and I can offer some gas to a stranded artcar if they need it.

I was thinking about this and then reading your comment caused me to decide to post. What would be the backup plan say you were out on the playa and the vehicle broke down?

[lectroPOP]

Good question.
Our reply is that we have radios. In case of a breakdown, we call camp and they come rescue the passengers...along with support from Rangers and others. The difficult thing can be pin-point locating the disabled vehicle as the playa is a very large space.
We may carry GPS, too.
This is certain to be a topic of discussion as time draws nearer The Burn. We can assure that we will do everything possible to handle every contingency.
Thanks for the thread...one that perhaps some others may add or detract from. It's all good.

[lectroPOP]

Kimmie has made a Facebook page for The Babe. Find it with a Friends search on Facebook: The Babe: an art car for the mobility challenged
Comments are welcome and encouraged. We will still monitor this thread. Thanks for all the support so far.

[Jovankat]

Good question.
Our reply is that we have radios. In case of a breakdown, we call camp and they come rescue the passengers...along with support from Rangers and others. The difficult thing can be pin-point locating the disabled vehicle as the playa is a very large space.
We may carry GPS, too.
This is certain to be a topic of discussion as time draws nearer The Burn. We can assure that we will do everything possible to handle every contingency.
Thanks for the thread...one that perhaps some others may add or detract from. It's all good.

You might want to talk to the redditor Madsci about getting touch with the people he's talking about here. It could be helpful.

[lectroPOP]

OK, if you want to catch up on the latest, search "The Babe" on Facebook. Latest photos from The Generator Reno...work goes on 6 days a week from noon 'till we're too pooped to go on. Today, an all out assault on the toilet/shower was begun. Still need help and your money. HA!
Tim
Aka 'lectroPOP

[Captain Goddammit]

I'm a wrench-turning car building guy like Ranger Magnum (although his are shinier... )
Here's my advice: If you aren't fully versed in mechanics, DON'T remove the 402 Chevy and try to repower with some ridiculous drive system, especially if you are going to drive this thing to the playa and back. It already has the best thing for it.
One vehicle idling around at Burning Man isn't going to make a bit of difference in the world, and you're cracking into a very big project if you try.
You'll spend tons of money and create lots of work for yourself.

Electric is only "green" if all your charging is done with solar, and that will get VERY expensive for a setup that can handle the huge amount of power you would need.

Forget applying freeway MPG numbers to idling around in the playa. Different world.
A big block Chevy (such as your 402) is going to idle through a lot of gas. I know there was on-playa mutant vehicle gas refueling available last year, perhaps this year as well. Otherwise, plan on bringing a lot. the best thing is to test it beforehand and get real data on your fuel burn.

I'm also going to recommend you don't do a fuel injection conversion. That's way too involved to be worth it, especially for someone who doesn't play with cars regularly and already knows exactly how to do it. I agree with Ranger Magnum, use an HEI distributor and an Edelbrock carburetor, or if the Quadrajet carburetor it probably came with is working, just leave it alone.

[lectroPOP]

Captain,
Thanks for the input. We are about to embark on the mechanical as the bodywork (except for the foam shot) is pretty much done and the interior only needs upholstering (basic to cover repairs and reinforce walls). I roger everything you said; the conversion idea has been abandoned, the carb will remain, the ignition will be changed, and we are going with a 12-gallon fuel tank backed up with several 5 gallon plastic tanks or a WalMart special.
I will take your advice about tooling around at idle to get some idea about gas consumption. I have the information about fueling on the playa; althoough not opened an account yet; just like not getting a ticket.
Work this week is on the toilet/shower. Having taken out the water system, the idea is for sun shower bags mounted outside witht he tube through a hole in the wall. Sound like Burning Man?

[Elliot]

When you upgrade to the H.E.I. distributor, be sure to run a new wire from the "run" position on the ignition switch to the input on the distributor. The H.E.I. needs full 12 Volt power all the time, as opposed to the breaker-point setup which runs on reduced voltage from a resistance wire which is hidden in the wiring harness.

The original setup has a bypass wire that supplies full voltage during cranking, and you may be able to use that one, but you are probably better off just running a new one.

The interweb is awash in instructions for this conversion, so you shouldn't have any trouble if you just pay attention.



Edit to add: With a second-hand distributor, you ought to test the vacuum advance diaphragm, as these don't last long. But it is a ten dollar part that is easy to change.

[Elliot]

And then....
If the original carburetor has a "Curb Idle Solenoid", then I suggest you keep that carburetor, even if it needs professional overhaul. Those solenoids were installed for good reason, and the otherwise famous Edelbrock Performer (modern Carter AFB) carburetor is not available with this solenoid.

You want a skilled tune-up man to make sure the Curb Idle Solenoid works and is correctly adjusted.

There is a way to reduce the need for this solenoid, by connecting the vacuum advance to a different port, but again this is a job for a skilled technician. (Note I said "reduce" the need for a Curb Idle Solenoid -- not eliminate it, as there are factors such as cam timing and compression ratio that can not be changed externally.)

Why is the Curb Idle Solenoid so important? I thought you would never ask.... Have you ever heard an engine that would not stop cleanly when the key was turned off -- but instead chugged on for a couple seconds, often backfiring, hissing, and rattling something awful? That was a disease brought on by the early attempts at exhaust pollution control, and the Curb Idle Solenoid was the cure.

The problem gets worse if the engine is hotter than normal, which can easily happen on Playa, so....

Edit to add:
If the Quadra-Jet needs rebuilding, including throttle shaft bushings, I can refer you to a specialist in Sacramento.

[lectroPOP]

Eliot~
We are soon approaching the time to begin concentrated mechanical work. Your suggestions are on our To Do list. Being at The Generator Reno, we have access to several excellent mechanics. I will depend on their opinions in making decisions regarding carb rebuild, upgrade of ignition, etc.
Thanks for your input. It is valuable to us and we sincerely appreciate your thoughts.
Tim
aka 'lectroPOP

[Elliot]

...we have access to several excellent mechanics. I will depend on their opinions...

Glad to hear it. Carry on!

[Shaolinskunk]

As a chair user I prefer staying in my chair vs transferring into a theater seat...

[lectroPOP]

Shaolinskunk~
Agreed.
One set of 4 seats that are being made removable to make space for chairs, both wheeled and powered. This is for those, like you, who prefer to remain in their chairs. This use will depend on demand that changes all the time.
Apologies that we have not mentioned this before; you offer the first Comment in this regard.
I might add that chair tie-downs are an issue we have that is unresolved. The standard medical equipment industry has priced these "out of the park." Since the safety of our riders is paramount, we hope to find a solution that is effective and affordable. Any input on this will be greatly appreciated. Keep in mind that we will be traveling at about 5 mph on the playa.
Thanks for your Comment.

[Shaolinskunk]

Ahhh the chair tie downs...honestly I wouldn't use them. Some might prefer them to feel safe but with the brakes on my wheelchair and at that speed it'd be really hard for anything to happen . I'm assuming by the sketch it will have an edge/half wall to prevent anyone from rolling overboard. Maybe just some D hooks spaced 36" apart and a ratchet strap for those that prefer to be anchored?

[Captain Goddammit]

Huge electromagnets...

[ranger magnum]

Regarding the curb idle solenoid, one of the ways to handle dieseling (more commonly known as engine run on) is to turn the steering wheel to one side, and shut the motor off while in drive. This usually purses big enough load on the engine to overcome dieseling. Not always, but usually.

[lectroPOP]

OK everybody~
Been looking at the tiedowns for pickup truck sides instead of standard D-hooks. Seems like they would be less of a tripping hazard. I like the ratchet straps. I have yet to find some straps short enough to be practical. Looking for 6 footers. Seems a shame to cut the long ones. Also, the hooks seem bit overdone when a loop will do the same work. I may even teach our volunteers how to do a trucker's hitch knot and use plain rope. Simple seems best at everything Babe.
Please check out https://www.facebook.com/thebabeartcar? ... page_panel (or search "The Babe" on Facebook) for a good look at what we are building, rather than depend on a long-ago-now SketchUp model. Since Grant Imahara (of Mythbusters fame) didn't want to come onboard with a remote driving rig, we have had to make some changes in the basic idea. Maybe next year we can go with a vehicle more like the model. Or just ride The Babe until impractical. That ought to be sometime in the 2020's.
Good tip on the dieseling (run-on). I will use it and see. BTW we do not have a problem, but it is good to know a quick solution if one develops. As for electromagnets, you joke, right? Thanks for the comments anyway, Cap'n.
Today is Low-Income Ticket Application Day at noon Pacific. Good luck.

[playastewart]

Just checked progress of your build on flickr, looks like it's coming along! See you in two months! I'm partnered with Mobility Camp as well, but just a simple pedi taxi.

[lectroPOP]

How time flies! Look forward to seeing you on the playa.
Meanwhile, the Facebook Babe page is best for updates. Search "The Babe: Art car for the physically challenged" less the quotes of course.