Bring back the 3-Cylinder Cars!

The 3-cylinder car. The Geo Metro, the Suzuki Swift, the Subaru Justy. Where are they now? Sure these cars may be small, and scoffed at, but they got 45 to 55 miles per gallon.

In their prime these cars were sold as economic alternatives, or cheap cars. Now a 3-cylinder car is packaged as a smart car, and sold for a higher price. Why is it that these cars, manufactured largely in the late ’80s and early ’90s aren’t back on the market. With the high price of fuel, the market is definitely ready for an affordable car with good mileage.

I have heard many reasons why these cars aren’t manufactured anymore, none of them satisfactory. I’ve been told they break down too easily. I’ve been told they aren’t safe enough. I’ve even been told they don’t go fast enough for the freeway.

These excuses are ridiculous. If you see a 3-cylinder car driver in a parking lot, inquire about their car. These cars easily outperform any U.S. speed limits. I have owned Geo Metro for 3 years now. This year it turned 15. I changed the timing belt, $12, and the alternator. That is all the repair it has needed, and it is still running strong, with over a quarter-million miles on it.

Car manufacturers should consider releasing some simple economical 3-cylinder cars again. The problem is, a car with no fancy add-ons, doesn’t pull as much of a profit. It is the extras that make the manufacturers money. Unfortunately, this model of business has been giving the big companies a hard time.

There may be more of a reason too. Consider that VW makes a 3-cylinder car, Der Fox, but it is not sold in the U.S. Consider FORD is planning a 3-cylinder car, the line is also called “Fox”, but it is for the European market. Why is it other countries can buy these economical cars, but not us?

I find it silly when car commercials claim “Better MPG,” with something like 25 miles per gallon. Not everybody needs a car that can go faster than is legal anywhere in the U.S., so just increase the fuel mileage, even if it means rereleasing the Geo Metros.

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Before you learn how to how to build an electric car, you will of course want to know what kind of benefits electric cars get. There are several — you don’t have to worry about spending tons of money on gas, for a start. Gas prices recently fell below $4/gallon (they were rising for a long time before that) but there is no telling whether or not they are going to go up again. With the lack of supply and growing demand, it definitely would not be surprising of gas prices go back up again. With an electric car you don’t even need to worry about this. Also, you’ll find that electric cars have far lower greenhouse gas emissions, so you’ll be doing your part for the environment. This entitles you to IRS refunds - if you do the necessary paperwork, you can get benefits from driving a more environmentally friendly vehicle. And finally, electric cars tend to be more efficient, and way more quieter.

So far, there are very few mechanics and auto shops where you can take your car in and have them convert it to an electric. Therefore, you’ll need to make your own DIY electric car (DIY of course standing for Do-It-Yourself). This is where a good online manual really comes in. Before you download anything, make sure to check for reviews of the product, to see if it actually works. The last thing you want is to get the wrong guide and risk damaging your car. Look for testimonials, proof, and everything else. Of course, the hard part is actually converting your car. Remember that it will take a lot of parts and time to put it all together.

An electric car conversion doesn’t necessarily have to be really difficult. Sure, it will take a reasonable amount of money and time, but you’ll also save quite a lot in the long run. Before putting together an electric car, you’ll need to get some advice. There are very few people that actually know how to convert a car into an electric vehicle. There are a few online guides that can help you. Typically, these will tell you what parts you need, and what to do with them. It’s still up to you to actually put the system together. If you are not mechanically minded, or you don’t like working with cars, then it is going to take some time. But it will most likely be worth it in the end.

Industrial Ovens are used in many different applications, including chemical processing, food production, and even in the electronics industry, where circuit boards are run through a conveyor oven to attach surface mount components.

Some common types of industrial ovens include:

Curing Industrial Ovens - Designed to cause a chemical reaction in a substance once a specific temperature is reached. Powder coating is one common curing oven use.

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Industrial Ovens for Drying - Designed to remove moisture. Typical applications are pre-treating and painting. Such ovens are also sometimes known as furnaces, though they do not reach the same high temperatures as are used in ceramic kilns.

Industrial Ovens for Baking - Combines the function of curing and drying ovens.

Batch Industrial Ovens - Also called cabinet or Walk-in/Truck-in ovens, batch ovens allow for curing, drying or baking in small batches using wheeled racks, trucks or carts. This type of Industrial Oven is often found in large-volume bakeries in places such as supermarkets.

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Conveyor or Continuous Industrial Ovens - Typically part of an automated conveyor processing line, conveyor ovens allow for higher volume processing.

Clean Room Industrial Ovens - Designed for applications requiring a cleanroom, such as biotechnology or semiconductor manufacturing processes.

Ovens Designed for Inert Gas Applications - Designed for applications that require an inert environment whilst heating to prevent oxidation of process.

Laboratory Industrial Ovens - Typically any of he above types of ovens, but normally bench-top and designed for laboratory use.

Vacuum Industrial Ovens - Ovens in which a vacuum can be created. Typically used for potting and certain types of drying processes.

Items to consider when purchasing an Industrial Oven are:

The Temperature Controller to be used - Single Setpoint or Programmable

Airflow - Horizontal or Vertical. Forced Convection or Gravity.

The Range of temperature required for the process to be performed.

Power Required - Normally laboratory ovens run on 120V whilst larger ovens will require 208,230,480V 1PH or 3PH.

Brands of Ovens Available - There are quite a number of Industrial Oven manufacturers - Some of the more popular Brands of Ovens Available are:

Blue M
Despatch
Grieve
Yamato
CascadeTek
Hotpack
Precision Quincy
Gruenberg

A Certified Refurbished Industrial Oven is a good alternative to a brand new unit provided it is purchased from a reputable company. LR Environmental Equipment Co. Inc. has offered Certified Refurbished Industrial Ovens for Over 40 Years and is the largest dealer of this type in the World. They also offer a range of Brand New Industrial Ovens, including low cost, high quality Laboratory Ovens. Their Certified Used Refurbished Ovens are sold with a Warranty and 100% Money Back Guarantee should

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