On Sat, 4 Jul 2020 at 04:47, Dudley transitconsult@...> wrote:

> Slight misconception , I think. It takes exactly the same amount of

> energy to go from zero to 60 kph with an acceleration of 1.3 m/s2, as it

> does with acceleration of 0.6 m/s2. In fact, if air and rolling

> resistance are taken into account, due to the length of time that these are

> encountered during acceleration, it takes slightly less energy at the

> higher acceleration.

>

>

>

Not just rolling resistance, there are considerable power losses in the old
resistance control and the efficiency of series-DC motors vs 3 phase
induction motors.
The PCC has starting resistances, gearboxes and a DC motor that at best is
85% efficient. The Variotram has an electronic switching drive that has
very low loss, 3 phase induction motors that can be 95% efficient and no
gear losses.

I suspect if both were set to the same acceleration rate and tested, the
larger Variotram would come out quite a bit ahead of the PCC for maximum
demand.
There is about 60 years of technological change in traction control between
them. I would expect the field has learned a few things over that time!.

What will be the absolute killer on the 'total KWhr consumed over time will
be the 12kw of airconditioning on the Variotram that the PCC doesn't have,
2107's airconditioning currently doesn't work and the quote for overhaul by
the OEM means they will be 'ventilate only' for some time as there are
other priorities.

You don't want to look at 2107 too closely - the advertising vinyl trapped
pockets of water behind it - particular along the panel seams - so there
are small spots of corrosion and damaged paintwork all over the car. The
ends with their complex curves in fibreglass are covered with score marks
were the AOA people cut the vinyl 'in situ' around the curves,

Some bus people told me the AOA covered buses suffer body damage as well
and at least one operator tries to rotate the AOA covered buses instead of
re-applying new advertising to the same bus each time till its body ends up
with actual rust holes in it.

As part of the work on 1014, it had the rust cut out and a new coat of
paint, so it's looking really good.