[JRoque]

Hey Frodus. I see, interesting - and surprising. Do they all come with a 72V limit by default and you have to program them to ~130? Or do you think this is an odd case?

JR

[frodus]

The 1238-6501 is programmed for 72V and the 1238-7601/7501 are programmed for 96V. So when you use 108V, it's over the programmed parameters so it starts limiting.

The AC50 (at least as of last year) were using the 1238-7601 controller. The 1238-6501 won't go to 130V, it's limit is 108V.

[ruckus]

So easy fix, drive around till the batts are low and suddenly you will have more power. It will be the only EV on the block that drives better empty.

When it's on the edge you can turn on your lights to pass people...

[SandRailEV]

Originally Posted by Old Goat

Just finished my project, a 95 Acura Integra with 36 LiFEPO4 cells, a Curtis 1238 Controller and AC-50 motor. Very, very sluggish performance. No error messages. Cannot draw more than about 24 Amps. Can't get RPM above 1785. I have no idea how to troubleshoot this. Curtis documentation is slim to none and I have no reference material. It almost seems as if a governor or limiter (software generated) is kicking in. When the RPM slowly (I mean REALLY slowly) increases, it almost seems like the motor speed actually starts to back off at about 1700 RPM, doesn't matter what gear the transmission is in. The throttle pot is not perfect; it is a two wire Curtis look-alike and the range of resistance is only 45 Ohms to about 3.9K ohms but I'm quite sure this is not the only problem here. I'm going to order another (3 wire) pot soon but I want to find out what else is amiss. Is there a setup code or parameter that I need to change in the Curtis controller?

The Curtis controller manual is here:

http://www.evparts.com/cms/picts/pro...C%20Manual.pdf

It seems rather extensive to me...

[Old Goat]

Thanks ever so much for the suggestions. Turns out the problem was in the initial setup. Several things were wrong, but most noticeable was the throttle pot range was only 0.3 [I]to 1.85V and the darned controller was expecting 0 to 5 V. There were a couple of other settings that were fairly easy to correct once I got the laptop talking to the controller effectively. All is sweet now. Again, thanks for your suggestions.

Dave

[dragonsgate]

Now that you have it going give us some reports on performance and the like. I have been considering swapping out my dc motor for an ac50. I made a phone call and found out HPEV has some upgrades for the ac50 coming in the near future. So enjoy your ride and keep us informed.

[ricklearned]

I am picking up my AC35 motor and controller package on Friday.

I haven't ordered my batteries yet so I probably will only be able to run some tests with the car on jackstands while using some small gel cell alarm batteries I have lying around. I can't wait to see the wheels turn.

[Supergrover]

Originally Posted by dragonsgate

...I made a phone call and found out HPEV has some upgrades for the ac50 coming in the near future...

Did they provide any details as to what upgrades are in the works?

Thanks!

[dragonsgate]

Yes they did. Even though Bryan at HPEV told me some of what was coming I am not sure if he wanted me to start blabbing about it. One thing he told me and the distributer I buy from confirmed is they are working on a new converter/controller to bump the ac50 up to 144 volts. I think he said it was a Curtis. Also they are getting their own in shop dino so they can test on site. Now you got me going and I can’t stop. He might have mumbled something about an ac51 with heavier windings. If I go any further I am sure I will get the details muddled. It has been two days ago that I was told and I didn’t write any of it down.

[ricklearned]

Originally Posted by dragonsgate

Yes they did. Even though Bryan at HPEV told me some of what was coming I am not sure if he wanted me to start blabbing about it. One thing he told me and the distributer I buy from confirmed is they are working on a new converter/controller to bump the ac50 up to 144 volts. I think he said it was a Curtis. Also they are getting their own in shop dino so they can test on site. Now you got me going and I can’t stop. He might have mumbled something about an ac51 with heavier windings. If I go any further I am sure I will get the details muddled. It has been two days ago that I was told and I didn’t write any of it down.

I was at an EV show in LA a couple of weeks ago and heard a similar thing from the people at Curtiss. They told me that HPEV had a couple of 144v controller prototypes for evaluation. They did not tell me to keep it to myself. On this Friday I am going to Ontario to pick up my AC35 package that I ordered from Thunderstruck. While there I will ask how the evaluation is going. I'm a noobie so I am sure I won't pick up on the technical stuff like our more experienced posters.