FAQs

At Envirolytics® we create, design, and deliver customized patented mobile lab platforms, using clean, renewable wind and solar energy to power electronics and instruments in the cargo area.  Our vans are called SciArks® and our trailers/containers are called SciLabs®, both are protected by US Patent #10,753,833.  Our related inventions include an auxilliary heat exchanger called the AHE™, issued US Patent #10,962,451, and our atomic molecular vapor collector called the  AMVC™, granted US Patent #11047773.  Our products are designed for researchers, scientists, and governments through sales, leases, services, consultations, and licenses.

The van or truck turn-around time is approximately 3-5 months for delivery to our factory.  Once delivered, Envirolytics begins the build-out to customer specifications.  The van must be specially built by Ford in Kansas, so production is dependent upon seasonal fluctuations in demand, as well as model year production schedules. Generally, new model year production occurs in the Summer.  Once completed, the platform is sent by rail to Dallas for alt-fuel (propane) conversion by the Westport Corporation (www.westport.com), which also has the same constraints.  Generally, Westport completes the conversion within a month.  EPA certification of the vehicle occurs only on select engine platforms.  With no major changes in the engine, year over year, an EPA certification is issued upon completion of the alt-fuel conversion.  With major changes in the engine model-line, a new EPA certification process is required, which may cause additional delay.  In consideration of all discussion above, the van or truck can usually be delivered between 8 and 10 months from time of order.

Trailer and container platforms are not dependent upon an automotive manufacturer, so the build timeframes are less.  The trailers take 6-8 weeks from order to delivery at our factory.  Shipping containers take approximately 2 weeks to deliver. 

Prices vary depending on client customizations and options selected, as well as the numbers and types of platforms ordered in standard build times.  The base price without any option packages or customizations is $300,000, not including taxes, licenses, or delivery.

A confidential quote is provided upon request with a signed mutual NDA.

Prices vary depending on client customizations and options selected, as well as the numbers and types of platforms ordered in standard build times.  The base price with out any option packages or customizations is $250,000, not including taxes, licenses, or delivery.

A confidential quote is available upon request with a signed mutual NDA.

Custom build prices are dependent upon many factors.  Some include, but are not limited to: (1) the the different types and amounts of professional labor used, (2) the cost of building materials, (3) the type and size of platform desired, (4) the patented power system needed, (5) charges from various sub-contractors, (6) certifications needed, (7) warranties requested, (8) royalties, (9) instruments and electronics supplied, (10) atypical design features, (11) drawings and schematics desired, (12) research required, (13) supplies needed, and (14) reasonable profit margins. 

Consequently, there is no established price for custom builds, as each varies based upon client requirements and platform costs. However, the upcharge for components of custom builds, effective January 1, 2024, will increase from 30-35% to 35-40%, depending on the items purchased and the volume discounts available from various manufacturers, as well as the time and effort in researching, ordering, paying, handling, inspecting, installing, integrating, testing, consulting, certifying, delivering, training, monitoring, troubleshooting, and warranting every custom build.   

Yes, the minimum 6 month lease for the van is $15,000 per month, while the trailer is $12,500 per month, normal wear and tear provisions.  Modifications to the van or trailer require the prior written permission of Envirolytics®.  This lease option is typically reserved for academic researchers on grant proposals or for government projects.  Lease options are not available outside the U.S.  The client is responsible for service maintenance and liability insurance.

The accessory Trailer Package includes a white or black trailer (4' wide, 6' long, 4' high) Wells Cargo trailer, or equivalent, with a rear ramp door when available.  The cost of this accessory is $10,000.

The trailer includes four 7-gallon DOT approved propane tanks arranged in series and in parallel with gauges and individual shut offs to accommodate "hot swapping."  An easy to read and manually adjustable pressure regulator is located inside.  Quick disconnects are provided on all tanks and hoses.  Additionally, the trailer comes with an aluminum ramp.  The floor of the trailer contains a rubber, non-skid surface.

Alternatively, the trailer can be outfitted with auxiliary batteries to provide extended power for equipment in the cargo area.   

A convenient switch in the driver’s compartment allows for manual selection "on-the-fly" from gasoline to propane fuel and vice versa.  No stops or other procedures are required.  The van or truck always starts on gasoline, then can be switched to propane if desired.  When combined, the range of the SciArk® exceeds 600 miles.

Any gasoline station can supply the regular unleaded fuel needed.  Propane can be procured from any retailer or commercial supplier.  No special tools or attachments are necessary.  Both fill ports are located on the driver’s side for easy, no-hassle fills.

The patent-pending vapor collector, AMVC®, is a method and a device for capturing atomic and molecular vapors in air, solids, and liquids.  The collector is comprised of simple components, all fabricated into one piece. Its major design features include an Outer Vapor Collector, which is a hollow tube with perforations of various sizes toward the bottom.  Its purpose is to sample atomic and molecular vapors, while capturing detritus, like dust, leaves, rain, body fluids, and the like.  The second design feature of the device is the Inner Vapor Collector.  It, too, is a hollow tube, but with perforations of various sizes at the top.  Its purpose is to capture the air sample without any associated detritus. Finally, a connector at the base of the Inner Vapor Collector allows for the attachment of a vacuum line. This vacuum line is typically the air sampling line which leads to an appropriate mass spectrometer or other analytical device to quantify and qualify the vapors collected.  The vapor collector can be constructed of rigid, flexible, disposable, sterile, and/or reusable materials of various lengths, as long as the materials do not interfere, contaminate, interact, or compromise the air being sampled.  The vapor collector  easily attaches to the end of the auxiliary heat exchanger™ (AHE), which can be installed in the van, truck, or trailer platforms. 

Wherever or whenever atomic or molecular vapors sampled need an uncontaminated source of uncondensed air for evaluating the quality of air in any sampled source, the vapor collector (AMVC) is the solution.

We are not presently a GSA contractor or supplier.  However, our partners are.  Platforms can be ordered through them.

Through professional services contracts, Envirolytics® has the ability to connect the customer to experts in the field.  Envirolytics® does not directly provide this service.

See your local Ford dealer, or go on-line at www.ford.com for a color palette.  The Transit van can be ordered in different lengths and heights, but the engine will remain the same – a 3.7 liter gasoline platform, EPA certified, to also run on propane.  The trailer can be configured to client requirements, as it has no engine.  The basic components inside the van and trailer platforms remain the same.

Yes, there are several engines and platforms which can be converted and certified to run on alt-fuel, including the F-150/250/350s.  See the Westport Corporation (http://www.westport.com/contact/locations) in Dallas, Texas for the full line of conversion ready vehicles.

The portable inverter is a CARB and EPA certified electric start alt-fuel platform, using either gasoline or propane.  You choose which fuel is used on start-up.  Once the preferred fuel source is depleted, the other fuel source can be manually switched to power the portable inverter.  The portable inverter is connected to the SciArk® or Scilab® through water proof cables. The inverter automatically starts and stops once client selected set points are reached in the battery bank.

The portable inverter can be safely transported either in the SciArk®, on a carrier (with a ramp) attached to the back of the SciArk®, or in the tow-behind trailer.  The portable inverter CAN NOT run from inside the tow-behind trailer, or within the SciArk® or SciLab®, for safety reasons.  A 25 foot propane hose and waterproof cables are provided with each portable inverter.

The portable inverter will run as long as there is a fuel (gas and/or propane) supply.  The number, type, and load requirements of instruments used will determine the number of hours the portable inverter will run on gasoline, as well as the availability supplemental fuel supplies.  At quarter load, the inverter will run for 15+ hours on a full tank of gas.  When the portable inverter is running on a propane, the tank supply in the pull-behind trailer determines the run time, which can be significantly longer, but produces less organic emissions.  A breaker inside the AC panel of the SciArk® or SciLab® can be adjusted to limit the run time of the portable inverter.  Finally, the portable inverter is equipped with an auto-start feature whenever the battery array inside the SciArk® or SciLab® reaches low charge of 11.4 VDC.  Once the battery array has reached full charge of 13.4 VDC, the portable inverter automatically shuts down until needed again - power on demand.

The client determines the size of the trailer and, therefore, the number and size of propane tanks to supply the portable inverter. With the auxiliary Trailer Package, there are four 7-gallon propane tanks, arranged in series and in parallel. Each tank has a gauge and all connections have quick disconnects. Any or all of the tanks can be put in service at client discretion. If used in series, empty tanks can be "hot-swapped" without interrupting the operation of the portable inverter. The trailer is insulated to minimize tank expansion during high heat operations.

The portable (pure sine wave) inverter/battery charger provides 4500 Watts of maximum output with 4000 watts of continuous output, producing 37.5 amps @120 volts.  Two independent circuits rated at 20 amps and 30 amps provide a sufficient supplemental power supply to the van, truck, or trailer platforms when conventional shore power is unavailable.  The inverter is an electric start, low decibel (52-60), brushless, air-cooled, 4-stroke, EPA and CARB certified, alt-fuel powerplant. 

No.  For safety reasons the 21-gallon propane tank installed in the van or truck is only used as a clean fuel option to propel the vehicle on roadways.  The auxiliary trailer, which can be towed behind the van or truck, or purchased separately with the trailer platform, provides DOT approved propane tanks with fuel for the portable inverter.

The optional, the adjustable height weather stations and sensors can be roof mounted, side mast-mounted, or free-standing.  All three options permit the easy and quick removal of the weather station sensor head.  Total extended height of of the telescopic mast, including the weather station sensor, is 10 feet.  Additionally, the telescopic mast can be mounted to the auxiliary trailer, or to the receiver hitch on the van or truck.

Depending on client requirements, the SciArk® can be configured with two (2) inverters each producing 3200 Watts (125 volts, 60 Hertz, 30 amps) of pure sine wave power.  The surge capacity of each unit is 6400 watts and 53.4 amps for 3 seconds.  Additionally, the inverters are also battery chargers, keeping the battery bank, inside the van, truck, or trailer platform, with operating charge at all times.

Alternatively, the SciArk® or SciLab® can use a single 5kW inverter/charger or two (2) 5kW inverters/chargers, depending on client power requirements.

Most custom builds are now using lithium iron phosphate batteries (LiFePo4), since their depth of discharge approaches 0%  and their cycle life is in the 3000-5000 range.  They are lighter than AGM batteries.  Custom builds can string 4, 6, 8, or 10 batteries in parallel to produce a 12V system, or they can be configured in series and parallel to produce a 24V system.  These batteries are heated to operate in cold climates and are rated at 270Ah.  Each battery has a battery management system (BMS) microchip to automatically regulate even charge, discharge, and temperature amongst all the batteries. 

Depending on the client requirements, SciArks® also use AGM battery technology. In these configurations, there are 10 AGM batteries, enclosed, insulated, and protected in an aluminum case, inside the cargo area of the van, truck, or trailer platform.  Each 6-volt telecom battery is connected in series and in parallel, producing a 12-volt system which is used to power 12V sensors and the 125 volt inverters.  Each of the 10 batteries is rated at 400 amp-hours of output, more than sufficient to power the inverters under load from multiple pieces of 125 volt electronics.  Battery charge is maintained by traditional shore power supplies, on-board inverters, portable sine wave inverter, and solar panels, or an optional 2nd alternator, or an optional wind turbine should environmental conditions dictate.  For example, winters in Antarctica may benefit more from a wind turbine.  In any case, sufficient, redundant, and continuous power is always available when needed.  Additional batteries compliments can be added to the SciLab® or SciArk® upon client request.

The SciArks® use monocrystalline solar panels including three (3) 170W panels on the roof, as well as a 170W and a 115W panel on the driver's side, all rigidly attached to the body of the van or truck.

A maximum of 795 watts (66 amps/hr. at 125 volts) can be generated from this array.  The roof panels and the side panels each have their own dual battery charge controller.  Cargo batteries (AGM or LiFePo4)  are charged on one circuit of the dual battery charge controller, while the two (2) AGM batteries for starting the vehicle are kept charged on the other circuit of the dual battery charge controller – never a dead battery when you turn the key to start the van or truck.  Additionally, free-standing solar panels can be daisy-chained to the existing van or truck configuration.  Larger models of the Ford Transit can accommodate more solar panels.  The trailer and container platforms can incorporate large numbers of solar panels due to increased surface area. 

Custom built SciLabs® often utilize an array of 370W, 24 V monocrystaline solar panels  on the roof and sides of the trailers or shipping containers.  

Two ultra-high efficiency air conditioners are used in the SciArks® and some versions of the SciLabs®.  At 13,500 BTUs,  each 120V unit draws 10.2 amps at 95 degrees Fahrenheit, with +1 amps for each 5 degrees of increase.  Start-up of the AC unit is regulated at 14.3 amps.  Under extreme high heat conditions, the AC units are amply sized and sufficiently powered to cool the 357 cubic foot cargo area in the SciArk®.  SciLabs® on the other hand typicall employ a Senville 12000 BTU Mini Split Air Conditioner /Heat Pump  on the front fork of the trailer with the condensor located inside. 

All SciArks® and SciLabs® will be weighed on certified scales, prior to delivery to the client.  The client is responsible for ensuring their vehicle can tow the weight of the platform safely.  As a rule of thumb, standard builds for the trailer can be towed with some F-150s, many Ford F-250s, and with all F-350s.