Just had new Genshock shocks installed. New technology. All four shocks
are wired to a voltage regulator feeding into the main battery and two
under the back seat. The shocks are constructed as a wire coil and
movable magnet, so that as the strut works up and down it generates a
current that is ultimately stored in the battery.All four shocks
contribute their share. The new wiring harness for this contributes to
reducing the engine power required to operate the alternator, thereby
increasing engine fuel economy. Designed at MIT, they are new on the
market. They really work well.  Also, hopefully, shortly there will be a
retrofit of a regenerative brake kit that will convert Vanagon motion
into  electricity as well.

Heh, heh, heh!

Alright - I'm joking - I don't have new shocks - but I do need them. And
when I get them, maybe it will be the new Genshock. They really do
exist, and they really are from MIT. The shocks are going through the
commercialization process now to bring them to the market. The
regenerative braking kit is already being produced by Toyota. Hopefully
some of that technology will come to the Vanagons in the form of Kits.
There is also a kit to convert engine heat to electricity as well.

Regards,

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver