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The Reasons why Automatic Gearboxes WILL Work with EV's & how to do it..

212K views 532 replies 84 participants last post by  poprock 
#1 · (Edited)
Who am I?
A gearhead like you are. I now make a living in technology but am a certified journeyman mechanic as well. I'm in my mid-fifties and old enough to know when I'm beat and how to capitalize on other peoples work as well as their mistakes. I currently do racecar fabrication and I drive as well during those hours that Corp. America does not have her hooks in me. Like many gearheads, I have more projects than time.. When I crossed the boundary into my 50's I realized that I was burning hours on the sofa in front of the idiot box that I'd never recover. So I guess now I've traded seats and now spend at least some of that time in front of my PC whilst enriching myself on the Internet. During my years turning wrenches - I've been through many automatic transmissions. Of course I was baptised by fire when thrown into the deep end with a Turbo-400 from a pickup truck was assigned to me. (worked like a charm thank you).. I've a thorough understanding of these myterious slush boxes and have grown to both love and hate each one of them equally.
I've had a dream since I was 10 years old to build a series hybrid. Yes over 4.5 decades ago. It was then that my Grand Pa (a brilliant engineer) and I sat down at the rail yards and he taught me how the "new" Diesel Locomotives worked.
It was that principle that I wanted to use (in essence) in the creation of my own EV. Start out building and refining the car as an EV and adding Waste-oil diesel generator to the mix for a range extender.
I have my own Mill and Lathe and, of course, welders.
Enough about me..

I've read through nearly 30 pages of YES YOU CAN and NO YOU CAN'T on the "other" thread.. I've addressed some of those issues here (if you can stand reading that much)..

I'd ask one thing of the participants to this thread -
Please keep on topic. Those of you that want to say how rediculous the idea is - please see other thread.

On with the show....
I see many people touting the line - "Well if you wanted a standard - why didn't you start out with one, that's what you're making your automatic into anyways!" Guys - read the PROs below - that's why..

PROs -
- Automatic is lighter
- Automatic does have "ParK" selector - Go ahead and use the parking brake on a Northern car that's 15 years old - You'll be calling a tow to the shop to un-freeze your rusted cables.
- Automatics are less intimidating to people that have never driven a std
- Many really good prospective donors have been passed up due to their transmission
- Conversion to a stick requires not only the transmission but retrofitting the shifter from auto to std.

Addressing the Green-ness -
- Automatic trans fluid can be recycled along with regular motor oil.
- ATF can be burned for heat very efficiently with super low emissions (it's done frequently up north here).
- Volume of ATF required is dramatically reduced over what's required with a torque convertor.
- Fire potential of the ATF? yes it will burn but you can pour it on a hot exhaust manifold and it will not ignite. It needs to be vaporized first just like diesel fuel or gasoline for that matter. I also think that the potential for fire and explosion is far greater from batteries not put inside of protective casings with crush-zones around them.

Various Notes made during the consumption of the "other" thread -
- Idling the traction motor to maintain pressure is out of the question in my estimation. Keep reading for more..
- Pressure leakage internally is minimal with a transmission in good condition. I've seen a transmission maintain pressure for as long as 30 minutes.
- Slippage on start-up - I don't think this is as big of a problem as some have stated it to be. Point in fact, you do want "some" slippage between shifts and startup due to the high levels of torque in the electric motor at lower RPM. Slippage and the torque convertor (not needed here) are where the vast majority of heat is created in an automatic trans.
- Most transmissions made since 1984 are controlled by the ECU or ETC (I-E Electronically controlled).
The interface to control it can be made quite simply since the actual control inputs to the transmission are binary (on or off). I would suggest that shifting of the transmission still be kept manual with a 4 positions controlled by the shifter. 2nd gear, Neutral, 4th gear (highest 1:1 rather than an OD) and Reverse. If you want to retain fully automatic controls, you could do that as well but with a higher degree of complexity.

If you have a transmission that's a bit of an internal bleeder - you could either overhaul it with new seals and gaskets or add an external accumulator. The Accumulator would have a low pressure switch to engage external pump motor to build pressure to a specific level (40 PSI would be enough). Depending upon the weight of the vehicle, you'll need between 40 and 100 PSI to keep clutch packs engaged without slipping. If you want to hot-rod it, you better be looking for pressures double that.

Speaking of Clutch Packs - I don't know of any automatic transmission shipped in a car that has bands any longer. They all use clutch packs now days. Clutch packs have far more friction / surface area than do bands so they require less pressure to operate properly.

Regeneration: Yes, the wheels will backfeed torque through the transmission to capitalize on Regen if using the AC drive system and appropriate controller(s).

Additional issues to be taken into consideration -
The input shaft of the standard transmission locates between the Pilot bearing and the front bearing of the transmission. This would have to be taken into consideration while making an adapter. This noted - the adapter will need to drive the pump of the transmission and be locked to the input shaft of the trans.

Let's have fun!
 
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#3 ·
I was itching to start this thread soon anyways...

I have an Automantic Transmission in my 1996 Civic EV and I have 135 EV miles going for me at the moment. So with that, here is my thoughts so far:

The coupling I have is the same as a clutch-type setup, making any torque converter mods unnecessary. I also found that creating a Torque Converter bypass (i.e. removing it) was a bad idea since it's the main pressure regulator in the Honda Transmission.

I am using a Honda A4RA 4 Speed Automatic Transmission with the following gear ratios, including Final Drive:
1st- 11.31
2nd- 6.38
3rd- 4.02
4th- 2.77

Shifter Selections: D2, D3, D4, N, R, P.

I usually start off in D3 and when it shifts into 2nd, I shift into D2 and the gear stays in second. It's usually good up to 40 MPH with my little 6.7" motor. However, in D2 the torque converter is not locked. It will lock in D3 and D4, and I will be testing those gears once my new 9.1" is installed.

The 1996 Honda Civic does have a PCM that is not too picky about sensors. That said, I would recommend making a new TPS sensor that connects to your POTBOX. It would help acceleration and better shifting vs the limp mode of shifting at different MPH instead of logical data, like throttle position, hill climbing, deaccel, etc.

I do not idle my motor. I throw it into gear and lightly press the accelerator until the cluthes engage, then I step on it. It doesn't do any damage to the transmission since the PCM will not engage the clutches until pressure is built up and a certain RPM is reached. So idling would just be a wast of power.

The only beef I have with the setup is that the Torque Converter doesn't lock in 2nd gear. That will be a simple fix, literally just adding a swtich to activate the 12 volt lockup.

Now for some data/specs:
1996 Civic EV
6.7" K99-4007 Motor
Kelly KDH09401 400 AMP Controller
96 Volts using 8 MAXX29 12 volt 125 AH deep cycles from Wally World.

I live in an extremely hilly area, and my initial Winter tests show I use about 350 WH/Mi doing 35-40 MPH. My motor is about 73% efficient at the RPMs I am using it at (yeah, sucks hence the FB1-4001A upgrade) and I estimate that my WH/Mi should go down to 260 WH/Mi with the new motor and using D3 for locking Torque Converter.
 
#4 ·
Hear hear, thanks for starting this thread. Although I am just starting to learn about transmissions, I am building EV with auto and convinced that it will be great. I agree with all your points, those are all same reasons I picked the auto. However, I decided to keep TC mainly because I am not comfortable enough with innerworkings of the auto transmission to disrupt its fluid path and volume. Perhaps I will learn something from you and remove TC on my next conversion.
 
#5 ·
Awesome post, Big-Foot! It looks like I will be getting a chance to test out some of your ideas/theories with Dimitri here as we merge his automatic Mazda with my new controller. It would be ironic and humorous if it turns out Dimitri doesn't need to idle the tranny at all to maintain crisp off-the-line response!
 
#6 ·
Bigfoot,

WOW ! ! ! it's great to see someone else who beleives that an automatic is a good answer to EV conversions. You sure covered the ground better then I did.

Your personal history sounds a lot like mine, except I have 10 years on you and went tractor pulling indtead of racing. I am a certified Master Technician and was a licensed aircraft tech. I also went into the tech world (automotive specification databases). Got away from the BOOB tube (haven't turned it on in about 10 years. I left it in the corner so I could snear at it ocassionaly. Went to computers in the late eighties and love it.

I have started a couple of threads about automatics in EVs, but I think I was too specific in concintrating on the powerglide to really build general interest.

One problem with EV converters, is a lot of them are fixated on the BIG torque at low RPM of electric motors and seem to resist the idea of a transmission, finally, in the end, settling on a manual transmission because it is in the end easier to install the motor and that is the way everyone does it.

I have been reading these threads for a long time and a lot of people keep saying they want a two speed because all they normally use and need in their 5 speed manual is 2nd and 3rd or 4th.

I kept promoting the powerglide because it is probably the most flexible, strongest, easiest to modify transmission out there that I am comfortable with, AND it,s a two speed with the perfect ratios for electrics motors when used with differential ratios in the mid threes, 1:82 to 1 and 1 to 1, plus it has a Park.

I have pushed the glide in versions from a fully automatic torque converteless replacement for any RWD transmission, to a fully modified shorty turned sideways without bell housing to be used in three wheelers using chain drive.

Ouch, here I go again ranting on about the powerglide.

I mostly got just mild O hum interest and back to "you don't need a transmission if you motor is big enough".

It seems that there are two groups using automatic, those who thought it out and saw the value and those who were forced into it because of circumstances and later became believers.

I know that a lot of the people who have responded to this thread under stand that torque multiplication throught gear reduction allows the use of lighter, higher voltage more efficient motors and battery packs.

Another factor that is addressed by using automatic in conversion is that a vehicle is produced that is more of a "just get behind the wheel" drivable vehicle. No special instruction and scarry procedures.

A lot easier to promote EV that way.

:rolleyes:I got to admit that the other way of adapting stuff can be more fun to the DIYer though.:D

When I started the EV conversion of my tractors, I made a decision not to build a street vehicle because my health precluded the effort. I get the impression that some here brush off what I say because I haven't done a car, plus I'm a bit wordy and not too politic (plus a very poor typest and speller) in my response to comments. I hope not.

Anyway you all have my support and any ideas and information I have available as you go forward.

Good Luck and make believers.
 
#7 ·
I think it may also have a lot to do with the fact that most of us have enough to deal with in a conversion besides trying to make an automatic work, and the prevailing thought of those who came before us is that autos are less desirable. Not saying that's necessarily correct, but I, (and I suspect others), am not willing to go spend money on an auto to replace the manual I already have, for potential unknown results.
I appreciate your ideas and would like to see some people make these work, I'll let others work out the kinks :D
 
#8 ·
I think it may also have a lot to do with the fact that most of us have enough to deal with in a conversion besides trying to make an automatic work, and the prevailing thought of those who came before us is that autos are less desirable. Not saying that's necessarily correct, but I, (and I suspect others), am not willing to go spend money on an auto to replace the manual I already have, for potential unknown results.
I appreciate your ideas and would like to see some people make these work, I'll let others work out the kinks :D
Yeh, I understand where you'er coming from.

I have always been one to go ouside the box and sometimes I don't understand why others wont go there as well. You are a bit of an outside the box thinker yourself (not everyone would do a conversion on a six wheeler). But I think you have a tighter hold on reality then I do.

I love pushing the envelope, Look at a rear engined pulling tractor built from a FWD axle, a twin water cooled motorcycle engined pulling tractor using a powerglide with high stall converter. Now I'm converting to electric. All of them "Just Because" someone said it won't work. I've done the required research (you guys all helped with the research) and now know that it will, I just don't tell them yet.:D

Still . . . If someone in my area want's to do a powerglide, I'll give as much help as I'm phisically able. Just PM me. Big foot can tell you that switching out a trans is a lot easier then you might think.

PS
If it's OK with you (please respond), I would like to PM you with some specific questions about what you recommend on six wheelers (you already gave me some general stuff). I'll be out and about and will start looking for a donor.
 
#13 · (Edited)
Other then the Torque converter (which better not be causing vibrations) there are no other fluid connections in an automatic. All planetaries, overunning clutches, clutch packs and yes even bands (in old stuff) are fully mechanically connected. Even the torque converter at hydraulic lock up (stall speed) has only a few percent slippage. Lock up converters on the new stuff gets rid of even that much slippage. they are solidly locked front to rear with no hydraulic connections.

Modern automatics are pretty efficient. Even less gear backlash then a full manual.

Wait till you guys get a look at the new dual shaft automanuals.
 
#14 ·
Thanks for the welcome guys..

AeroScott - If you tack on the weight of the clutch, flywheel, and all the other peripheral "stuff" it takes to accommodate a std trans, the weight usually comes in with the automatic slightly less. The housings, gear and shaft sizes of the stds are usually much beefier as they have to be able to withstand more abuse than do automatics.

TheSGC (Curious handle) - Very interesting project!! I spent some time looking over your blog and pictures. Looks like you've had a lot of fun.
I take it that you'd already tried running without the convertor hence the lack of pressure regulation. Curious if you had maybe thought of an external regulator tied into one of the high pressure lines?
You say you start out in D3 and then shift to D2 when the trans shifts to D2. I presume that's because the programming forces it to start in D2 if you start out there.
I've not had much practical experience with the internals of the Honda trans other than changing fluid and filter. Interesting that the controller doesn't throw too many fits with the lack of inputs from the ICE. I suppose you could spoof some of them like RPM and Temperature.
Speaking of temperature - convertors are real horsepower wasters when they're cold because the amount of work they have to go through to circulate the fluid. I'm curious if you have measured the operating temp of the trans at any point in time. Your profile doesn't indicate where you live but you spoke of cold weather at one point. Minneapolis area has some hills but a LOT of cold.. -8 here yesterday morning.

Dimitri - WoW - What a good looking donor car you started with!!!
I am still working out many of the kinks in my planning. I hope that I can share more as I go along. First I have this other little project in my shop that's about 40" tall that I need to finish and move out..

Tesseract - I'm very interested to hear (read) more about your controller!

Jimdear2 - Good to read you too! I've a lot of time in the saddle with the old Gliders.. I rebuilt an old Iron glide for a 59 Chevy once.. Darned thing cost me a hernia getting it up onto the bench. Finished it and was about to put it in the car when the owner called and said he wanted to have us convert the car to a 4 speed ((sigh)).. We had that transmission sitting around for the next 5 years and could not give it away because it didn't fit into anything newer than a 61... But - I've also been inside a number of the later alloy boxes and knew that they weren't the POS that a lot of people called them. So to get to business - yes, exactly - part of the rationale behind using the auto is to make the overall experience more of a "turn-key" one.. I'd like to hear more about your tractors sometime!

JRP3 - I have taken my hat off on dozens of occasions now to people who have taken themselves well out of their normal element and jumped headlong into EV conversions.. Yes, you're right - until the pioneers of the automatic EVs get enough of the groundwork laid to make it a less daunting proposal, it does not make sense for some people to add that to the list of things to do..

Jimdear2 JRP3 - Yes, the conversion from a std to an auto is a piece of cake in a Rear Wheel Drive application. The biggest task is just in getting the right driveshaft yoke to mate to the U-Joint. Now in the Front Wheel Drive - it's a whole 'nuther ball of whacks... Many times, it means swapping out of the axle/CVs as well..

TJ4FA - Not too sure I follow with the notion that the fluid medium would dampen out driveline vibrations. When the automatic is in gear, it's a physical "hard" connection all the way to the torque convertor. When the TC is locked - again it's a hard interface to the crankshaft of the engine.
I think for dampening out driveline vibration, we should be looking into more compliant motor/transmission mounts..

Guys - I think we're going to have a good time here...

Now - I need to go work on updates to a website so I can earn some money to help feed the habit... The habit in my shop that is.. :)
 
#18 ·
Thanks for the welcome guys..


TJ4FA - Not too sure I follow with the notion that the fluid medium would dampen out driveline vibrations. When the automatic is in gear, it's a physical "hard" connection all the way to the torque convertor. When the TC is locked - again it's a hard interface to the crankshaft of the engine.
I agree, but the fluid inside the torque converter is where torsional driveline vibrations are dampered. Until there is some direct physical connection like when the electric lock-up comes into play, there is some varying amount of slippage and fluid compression between the opposing TC turbine vanes.
 
#15 ·
I have very little knowledge of automatic transmissions as I have owned Manual Trans Vehicles most of my life.
So forgive me if this seems like a dumb question:
How do you plan on cooling an automatic transmission in an EV?
 
#20 ·
Big-Foot,

lets get into details of TC vs. no-TC and idle vs. no-idle approach. Lets look at power loss in numbers, not fiction. Lets look at cost and complexity of additional components required, such as pumps, shaft adapters, etc.

Can we assume that we want to retain 100% OEM functionality, i.e. no startup delays waiting for ATF pressure? If I am on the hill with car behind me 5 inches away, I need to take foot from brake and onto throttle and start moving forward, not backwards. Those are my safety and convenience requirements. Let's see if we can meet those while also meeting cost and complexity requirements.

IMHO, and I am no expert by any means, if TC is gone then I can't idle, and if I cant't idle I need electric ATF pump, right? Which also means I need electric PS pump as well, since I want my power steering at startup when motor can't spin the OEM PS pump.

Also, if I take TC out, how can I make shaft adaptor, other than chopping up the TC to get those splines and then weld them together? That's pretty heavy work for average guy like me.

OTOH, if I keep TC and minimum idle, say 300-400 RPM, which would put minimal load on the motor ( I can even turn it by hand right now, with everything in place ), then all those questions suddenly disappear, and the only one is left, how much energy am I actually wasting here? Let's try to put that in perspective...
 
#23 · (Edited)
Big-Foot,

OTOH, if I keep TC and minimum idle, say 300-400 RPM, which would put minimal load on the motor ( I can even turn it by hand right now, with everything in place ), then all those questions suddenly disappear, and the only one is left, how much energy am I actually wasting here? Let's try to put that in perspective...
dimitri,

I agree, there is one thing that appears to continually get lost in these manual versus automatic transmission discussions.

The original and only reason for an automatic, is driving convieience. Generally you give up some efficiency for convenience. That convienience comes from and only from the torque converter and its associated hydraulics. Since you have chosen an automatic that energy use is NOT A LOSS; it is the PRICE OF THE CONVENIENCE.

Sorry about the shouting . . . but we need to firmly establish that information before we can discuss this any further. I'm sure that the converted know this. the shouting is for all those who don't understand what an auto really does or who have pre concieved notions of slush boxes and internal slippage that we have to educate.

If you want the convienience of an automatic you WILL pay an energy price. You accepted a 1 or 2 MPG loss when you bought the car as an ICE you should accept a loss of energy as an EV.

To figure what the price is should be simple

Do your normal drive cycle in an ICE and count the time that you are not moving but are idleing. Figure how many watts you will use to maintain Idle pressures, either using main motor idle or an auxillary pump (your choice) for that peroid of time. Watts x Time = watt hours.

That is you cost of convience. If you don't want to/can't pay that price you are in the wrong forum.

The idea that a coupler and adapter for an auto is more difficult to make is ridiculious. The only difficulty is deciding to go with or without converter. Anyone who can make up an adapter/coupler for a manual, can do it for an automatic. (there are many converterless adapters available now in the racing world, right off the shelf). A machinist will have no more difficulty with an auto then doing one for a manual.

Where the oppertunities lie is in the newer electronically controlled autos. This is where the main focus of this thread should lie.

Automatic transmission planetary geartrains are very simple, Henry Ford used a planetary in the Model T. It is in fact less complex in part count then many manual transmissions.

The real complexity/scarry part was in control.

The old hydro mechanical valve bodies are best left to experts, but they can in most cases just left alone and they will work fine fo an EV.

The electronic transmissions leave the field wide open for customizing.

Have Fun,

PS it thake me a loooooong time to type out onre of these. I appologise to those who also answered, Im not stepping on you answers.
 
#22 ·
Yes, the D2 setting forces the transmission into 2nd and only second, where as D3 and D4 use all gears up to 3rd or 4th. The only code the PCM throws is my missing TPS sensor, which I have been too lazy to rebuild. BUt other than that, it works just fine.

I have not tested the ATF temp since it became an EV, but when it was an ICE the temp was about 95-145F on the hottest summer days going up hills. Usually it stayed around 60-75F when cruising.

For Dimitri's Idling- I hold the hand brake when at hills, and the time is takes is no different than it takes me on my stick shift to get going. I have also figured out how much power my tranny needs if I idles it. It sucks up a whopping 9 amps at 96 volts to keep it up, or 846 watts. That makes the same RPM and torque that the OEM ICE engine produced, so if I took my foot off the brakes, the car would creep forward. In the grand scheme of things, not a whole lot of power.

One more thing, my first EV test run was extremely frustrating for me. I have everything wired up, $3K into this project, I hit the pedal and the motor spun up and I didn't more at all. After hours of checking couplings, connections, cursing and getting a OBDII scanner, I found out the Fuel Pump fuse I removed also controlled the ECU/PCM. But none of the documentation in the fuse box, service manual or car guide listed the PCM/ECU sharing the same fuse as the Fuel Pump.
 
#33 ·
One more thing, my first EV test run was extremely frustrating for me. I have everything wired up, $3K into this project, I hit the pedal and the motor spun up and I didn't more at all. After hours of checking couplings, connections, cursing and getting a OBDII scanner, I found out the Fuel Pump fuse I removed also controlled the ECU/PCM. But none of the documentation in the fuse box, service manual or car guide listed the PCM/ECU sharing the same fuse as the Fuel Pump.
Not that I'm a fan of his, but I think this was a Homer Simpson moment - DOH! :)

I absolutely abhor HAYNES manuals.. Everytime I went to reference one it seemed like they would tell me that this part should be serviced by the factory or a professional or.... :mad:
 
#24 ·
- Most transmissions made since 1984 are controlled by the ECU or ETC (I-E Electronically controlled).
The interface to control it can be made quite simply since the actual control inputs to the transmission are binary (on or off).
This sounds interesting. I looked in my Haynes for my Jeep Cherokee to try to find out more about this interface, but either the automatic transmission in that one is a too old construction or the Haynes is not very detailed on the subject (has happened before) or, possibly, I'm blind (has also happened before...). Could you elaborate more about this part? How would the controller do to choose gears and does this differ much between brands or do most gear boxes look the same about this?

Oh, and I'm the software guy that's responsible for the program that runs the hardware Tesseract is building. Hence my interest.
 
#25 ·
Usually an Automatic transmission changes gears by activating 4-5 12 volt solenoids in different configurations, allowing for the different clutches to engage. My Civic has the configurations for changing the gears, and I have been tempted to build my own PCM to allow for better gear selection, I just don't know the different signal patterns from the transmission's main shaft, counter-shaft, etc. How ever, I could just bypass them and shift according to MPH and have it translated into RPM to maximize efficiency.
 
#35 ·
Interesting TJ...

I worked with Hydrostatic drive systems for a while in the service.
We used them on some boats and a lot of heavy equipment like loaders and cranes.
Mostly I never saw them used on anything that exceeded 500 RPM though. Even at that - they were hauling the mail and made a BUNCH of heat..
The cool part about them was how you could drive multiple sets of pistons in pairs - as few as two and as many as 12 as I recall..
 
#37 ·
Transmission control interface is quite simple for anyone familiar with microcontroller programming. I have couple of pages from Mazda shop manual I will try to post here, shows the whole thing in graphs and tables. Just takes few simple inputs and has few binary outputs.

Most aftermarket TCUs are universal, the difference is mostly in plug and play harnesses. They have PC based interface allowing to change shift patterns based on various input ranges.

Qer, I'm pretty sure you can whip one of these if you wanted :)

I have a feeling that OEM TCU will work just fine, at least for my conversion, but in case it doesn't then I will be looking for custom TCU unit.
 
#38 ·
Transmission control interface is quite simple for anyone familiar with microcontroller programming. I have couple of pages from Mazda shop manual I will try to post here, shows the whole thing in graphs and tables. Just takes few simple inputs and has few binary outputs.

Most aftermarket TCUs are universal, the difference is mostly in plug and play harnesses. They have PC based interface allowing to change shift patterns based on various input ranges.
That would be great! We're planning some kind of expansion for additional IO's for ideas just like this so it would be great to get some hard data to read up on. :)

Qer, I'm pretty sure you can whip one of these if you wanted :)
Thank you! Of course, this doesn't mean that we necessarily will pursuit this idea, but it's one of the possibilities at least. :D
 
#40 ·
Just wanted to let Big-Foot and JimDear2 know that I am one of those who is planning to use a power-glide transmission on a conversion. I have the PowerGlide Transmission handbood and the Ideal Productions how-to video for the PowerGlide.

Here is what I am planning.
PowerGlide transmission with no torque converter. Cut off the bell housing and use a shorty tail. Set up for full automatic with override-manual.

Motor will be a 9 inch Warp (or equivalent).

Couple the tranny and motor with short custom mini-bell for a nice compact motor/tranny unit.

Qer and Tesseract: I would love to have one of your controllers but I am on a budget so I will be building my own from the open-source design of Paul and Sabrina in ecomodders.com. 144 volt 600 amp.

This way I can work at building the drivetrain/controller first and then all I have to do is pick a rear wheel drive vehicle of my choice and drop the unit in.

I like the idea of the accumulator to replace the electric pump for tranny pressure. Hope there will be more info about that method with a PowerGlide application.

That's it. Just wanted to let you guys know that there are others out here looking at auto-trannies for EVs. Keep this thread going.

Eric
 
#41 ·
Just wanted to let Big-Foot and JimDear2 know that I am one of those who is planning to use a power-glide transmission on a conversion. I have the PowerGlide Transmission handbood and the Ideal Productions how-to video for the PowerGlide.
Getting this information is a good start on the project. The handbook and video should show you just how adaptable this unit is.

Here is what I am planning.
PowerGlide transmission with no torque converter. Cut off the bell housing and use a shorty tail. Set up for full automatic with override-manual.
I'm not sure why you would want to go to a short tailshaft unit for the application you describe. Thats a pretty expensive set of parts. I wouldn't go that route unless space (length) was a real problem. But don't let my comments stop you from building what you think you need.

Motor will be a 9 inch Warp (or equivalent).

Couple the tranny and motor with short custom mini-bell for a nice compact motor/tranny unit.

Qer and Tesseract: I would love to have one of your controllers but I am on a budget so I will be building my own from the open-source design of Paul and Sabrina in ecomodders.com. 144 volt 600 amp.
I beleive this motor trans combo would work well at the voltage you describe with a differential gearing in the high threes or low fours. you would be spinning it fast, lots of voltage not too much current, everything should stay cool, not many watts lost as heat.

I'm being lazy by not doing the math to give you specifics (it's 4 am, I am sleepy) but gut tells me you should be able to obtain highway speed with the motor turning mybe 4000 rpm and lightly loaded.

Using electrics are just like using an ICE in one respect, just because it makes lots of torque, that doesn't meen you need to use it. It's there if you need it otherwise keep things lightly loaded and in the most efficient range.

This way I can work at building the drivetrain/controller first and then all I have to do is pick a rear wheel drive vehicle of my choice and drop the unit in.

I like the idea of the accumulator to replace the electric pump for tranny pressure. Hope there will be more info about that method with a PowerGlide application.

That's it. Just wanted to let you guys know that there are others out here looking at auto-trannies for EVs. Keep this thread going.

Eric
I'm not sure the accumulator is the way to go, check out later posts. I have some points I'll make about possible difficulties. As you plan and obtain parts keep us posted, I will be watching you progress
 
#43 ·
Here is some shift pattern data, hope its still readable after compression.

However, I don't think we actually need to reproduce TCU functions, OEM TCU will work in EV just fine, all we need to do is fool it by modifying input sensor data to move shift points to higher RPMs.

There are 3 critical input sensors:
- TPS ( throttle position sensor ) which must be attached to EV throttle. I already done it in my EV, turned out nice and simple, see my built thread for pic.
- TS (turbine speed), essentially same as tachometer, but may need to adjust number of pulses per revolution ( I will look for this data next )
- VSS ( vehicle speed sensor ), I think this one should not be messed with, we want to real speed reported to TCU.

I think we can cut into TS signal wire, and insert simple controller that will read pulses from real TS sensor and produce different frequency pulses on the output. The difference in frequency will make TCU think that RPMs are lower than they actually are, so it will stay in current gear longer.

Let's poke holes in my idea :)

Text Diagram Line Slope Parallel


Text Font


Text Font Parallel
 
#51 ·
Let's poke holes in my idea :)
Na, I won't poke hole in it but give you my thoughts about it.

Why those curves are dynamic like that is just because an ICE that constantly runs at high rpm's is a very inefficient ICE but at low rpm's it's pretty powerless, thus you have to shift differently depending on the throttle position. With an electric motor that need for adaption doesn't exist and you could shift entirely based on rpm or vehicle speed. I'm not sure if the gearbox would be that easily fooled but to me it looks like a fixed signal on throttle input would do the trick; just adjust it to a setting where the gear box shift gears without any risk for the motor to over rev and you should be fine.

Otherwise this information clearly confirms that handling the solenoids isn't exactly rocket science and the general IO-unit we're planning could easily do that (famous last words... :D) based on motor rpm. Just sort out in what rpm-range the motor is the most efficient (and gets decent cooling) and keep the rpm there. Sounds simple, probably turns out to be a minor hell and I've probably forgot something... :rolleyes:

The only thing that confuses me with that table is that the third and reverse gears have the same solenoid pattern. I really hope there's some other means of selecting forward and reverse because I sure don't want the reverse to kick in on the highway...
 
#44 ·
On another note, why is there a notion that motor controller needs to communicate to TCU? I don't see it. In fact, the more I dig into my ECU/TCU documentation, the more I discover that although its physically implemented in one box, they don't seem to share much more than a power bus. I think either historically or for safety reasons motor/engine control and transmission control are pretty much separate units.
In my Mazda, there are even 2 separate trouble lights, check engine and transmission ( not sure if its common in other cars ). Since I removed the engine, check engine light is obviously on, but transmission trouble light went off as soon as I plugged in TPS and all other transmission harnesses. Tranny seems to be happy without engine present, so there is not much dependency.

SGC, the graph in last post explains why your tranny shifts the way it is, without TPS signal. It follows the flat line at zero on vertical axis. TPS gives shift patterns its dynamics, so it must be present in auto EV conversion.
 
#45 ·
SGC, the graph in last post explains why your tranny shifts the way it is, without TPS signal. It follows the flat line at zero on vertical axis. TPS gives shift patterns its dynamics, so it must be present in auto EV conversion.
Yep, I have a similar graph in my service guide. I hope to work on that this week, either make a new TPS or find a way to use the old one.
 
#46 ·
Here is TS data, according to my approximate calculations, this shows 32 pulses per revolution.

Text Font Line Parallel Diagram


With this data and the shift pattern table above its possible to calculate pulse frequency change for desired change in motor RPM shift points.

I should add that it may not even be neccessary to mess with TS pulses, maybe we can just adjust the resistance and range of movement of the TPS sensor to fool TCU into higher RPM shift pattern.

As soon as my EV is on the road I will be recording my RPMs and observe shift patterns. Its possible that I will just accept OEM patterns, even if they are slightly off from ideal electric motor RPM band.
 
#52 ·
I don't think fixed TPS will work, since it will disable WOT kickdown function ( downshift by flooring it ) , which to me seems pretty important in vehicle operation, I know I use it quite often :D

maybe adjusting TPS value and range such that WOT kickdown is still working , but keeping it in power mode vs. normal mode, will better suite electric motor characteristics?
 
#55 ·
PowerGlide In a BMW conversion info

I did a little research on a RWD vehicle: BMW 3 series 1992-1998 (E36 type). Curb weight (b4 convert) from 2600 (318ti) to 3400 (328).

To refresh, I am thinking of 144 Volt with Warp 9.
I would like highway speeds with the best acceleration I can get, so maybe 5.00 rear? Or can I get away with 4.44 and not do aftermarket swap on the rear gear?
Any suggestions from the experts?

Spread sheet looks like this for the PowerGlide tranny:

Vehicle Rear Diff Ratio Low Ratio High Ratio Tire Diameter Motor RPM MPH Low MPH High BMW 318 Manual 3.45 1.76 1 24.9 1000 12 21
3.45 1.76 1 24.9 3000 36 64
3.45 1.76 1 24.9 3500 42 75
3.45 1.76 1 24.9 4000 48 86
3.45 1.76 1 24.9 4500 55 96
3.45 1.76 1 24.9 5000 61 107 BMW 318 Automatic 4.44 1.76 1 24.9 1000 9 16
4.44 1.76 1 24.9 3000 28 50
4.44 1.76 1 24.9 3500 33 58
4.44 1.76 1 24.9 4000 38 66
4.44 1.76 1 24.9 4500 42 75
4.44 1.76 1 24.9 5000 47 83 BMW 325 Manual 3.15 1.76 1 24.9 1000 13 23
3.15 1.76 1 24.9 3000 40 70
3.15 1.76 1 24.9 3500 46 82
3.15 1.76 1 24.9 4000 53 94
3.15 1.76 1 24.9 4500 60 106
3.15 1.76 1 24.9 5000 67 117 BMW 328 Manual 2.93 1.76 1 24.9 1000 14 25
2.93 1.76 1 24.9 3000 43 76
2.93 1.76 1 24.9 3500 50 88
2.93 1.76 1 24.9 4000 57 101
2.93 1.76 1 24.9 4500 64 114
2.93 1.76 1 24.9 5000 72 126 BMW 325/328 Auto 3.91 1.76 1 24.9 1000 10 19
3.91 1.76 1 24.9 3000 32 57
3.91 1.76 1 24.9 3500 37 66
3.91 1.76 1 24.9 4000 43 76
3.91 1.76 1 24.9 4500 48 85
3.91 1.76 1 24.9 5000 53 95 BMW 318 After Market 4.75 1.76 1 24.9 1000 8 15
4.75 1.76 1 24.9 3000 26 46
4.75 1.76 1 24.9 3500 31 54
4.75 1.76 1 24.9 4000 35 62
4.75 1.76 1 24.9 4500 40 70
4.75 1.76 1 24.9 5000 44 78
5 1.76 1 24.9 1000 8 14
5 1.76 1 24.9 3000 25 44
5 1.76 1 24.9 3500 29 52
5 1.76 1 24.9 4000 33 59
5 1.76 1 24.9 4500 38 66
5 1.76 1 24.9 5000 42 74
5.85 1.76 1 24.9 1000 7 12
5.85 1.76 1 24.9 3000 21 38
5.85 1.76 1 24.9 3500 25 44
5.85 1.76 1 24.9 4000 28 50
5.85 1.76 1 24.9 4500 32 57
5.85 1.76 1 24.9 5000 36 63
 
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