[slumpp]

[quote=slumpp;52865]

Originally Posted by sotomikes

What do you guys think about converting a 2002 mini cooper ? I have been doing a lot of reading and I am thinking of this first project. I am wondering what I would need to make this car go 65+ miles on a charge and 65+ mph. What do you guys think? any help would be great.[/quote
I shop the cooper used car market all the time.
The cheapest/worst mini that you will find is $10,000.00.
I think that there are cheaper/ lighter platforms available.
Lots of old Miatas out there... cheap 1990 on.
I own a 03' cooper and there are a lot of electrical systems on-board
IE. electric windows that index every time the door is opened and closed.
The early miatas have little to no computers onboard.
good luck!

Interesting reading is the Mini QED.
google 'Mini QED'
A concept Mini with inwheel motors. They are not in production, yet.
Another consideration is where will the batteries vent and talk about the heat produced by multiple batteries.
I like a trunk for batteries, Isolated from the passenger compartment.

[Skemcin]

One of the best buys you can find that make a great conversion is a Porsche 924. Its an aerodynamic vehicle that with an ICE got 30 mpg. Once you pull the ICE and related items, you'd be starting with a curb weight of just around 2,000 lbs. You can pull the torque tube and save more weight there if you mount your motor directly to the gear box (which is mounted in the rear of this car).

The only place you need to get creative is the battery placement. If you pull the rear seat and make a hinged lid that lays flat with the rear trunk area, you can put all your controls there - leaving the entire engine bay to configure your battery box(es).

You can get a 924 for less than $1,000 that might need minor cosmetic work. These cars are easy to work on and several have been converted already. If I had the budget in time, I'd be converting one of the ones I own.

[Andrew Carson]

OK so I will start here and you can tell me if I am even barking up the right tree. I am a total N00B when it comes to electric cars, I think the closest I've come is the battery pack that came with my legos! But here is my "plan" I want to convert a 1980's alfa rameo spider veloce(read: cool sports car) it has a very good wind profile, a large engine compartment, and a big trunk that I plan to fill with batteries. the other plus is it is a sports car suspension so the weight shouldn't be an issue, it's already a heavy car coming in at almost a ton(i know heavy for a 2 door sports car) but it's also very stable and can handle a heavy load(i've pulled a 10k boat with it) I want to go AC motor so I can capture Regenerative Braking, and I want to link it to the 5-speed transmission that is currently installed(not sure if this is wise) I'm going to be building in the next 2-3 years as I am currently in grad school and have ZERO money. also has anyone looked into buying the "replacement" batteries for the prius or other hybrid car, it seems to me that this should be cheaper than going for a single custom battery. also I would like to look into adding solar to the hood and trunk to capture this lovely florida sun and put it to good use. Also has anyone looked into adding a small 2 or 4 stroke "lawn mower" type engine hooked to a generator to extend range, i mean a 1/4 gallon engine running for an hour to fast charge a battery pack sounds like fuel efficent to me. WHEEW thanks for any insight you have!

[rev]

• Location

Australia

• Your skill level with auto mechanics and fabrication

Zero.

depsite the name ive never been a revhead.
they stink, theyre noisy , expensive - an dteh Ford/holden culture puts me right off
but i might as well get back in at ground level with EV's
and i need a new hobby that justifies itself in economics.

in effect a good EV might buy me a means of income

• The range you are hoping to get (how many miles/charge)

60km +. Inner urban transport, possibly carrying payloads...

100km+ ideal

• What level of performance you are hoping to get

A to Z, at city speeds, on flat to gently sloping ground

• How much money you are willing to put into your project

whatever the cost benefit ratio says. but were talking personal loans if need be. Itd be a commercial vehicle, depreciated against its earnings with allowable tax deductions.

im thinking if my running cost are very low with a plug in i can take the fatter margin as fuel goes up.. its $AU 1.70/L here now.

• What parts you've already considered, if any.

a Small car would be ok, rip out the back seats and convert to a microvan. A light commercial van like tradies use would be best.
room for extra batteries to extend range
room for payloads

Ill try not to ask too much till ive read all i can read
but great to be here

[BigAlum]

I've always thought starting out small was the way to go with most projects, so why not one of these? http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andy.ca...ictures/5.html
This guy is now making kits in the UK for several small commuters; however, he's not doing anything with electric, just replicas of the original with single-cylinder ICE's. I did see one on UTube(?), claims(!) to get 85 miles per charge with a top speed of 55 mph - don't remember the voltage. I know there's not a lot of room for battery, but this is considered an "occasional" 2-seater, and it wouldn't take a lot of battery for reasonable range. BTW - The original factory literature listed the empty weight at 198 lb. with the original engine, full tank (1.6gal.), no driver. So, I figure you're looking at maybe 850lb. all-up with batteries, driver & all. What do y'all think?

[BigAlum]

Here's the original factory electric version of the Peel Trident...Specs say 12V, 75 kilometer range (about 40 mi.). I really don't think it would do quite that well, but maybe....

http://web.mac.com/ipeezer/Peel_Cars...rident.html#14

[Tommey Lee Reed]

Originally Posted by rbgrn

For all new members and first timers, here is the basic guide to getting started.

Start by posting a new topic in the EV Conversions Forum.
A good topic might be "Planning <make> <model> conversion"


What you will want to post is:

• Your skill level with auto mechanics and fabrication
• The range you are hoping to get (how many miles/charge)
• What level of performance you are hoping to get
• How much money you are willing to put into your project
• What parts you've already considered, if any.

Members will help make recommendations and design assistance is generally good. They won't do all the work for you though so you must put in the time and come back with additional questions.

Make sure to have a look through the DIY EV Wiki, as much repeatable information is held there. If you make a discovery or want to help spread the knowledge you've obtained, please contribute. All registered users can add and edit existing wiki pages.

Once you've got your plan down and have started the build, head over to Technical Discussion to get into details of wiring, mounts, fabrication and any problems you've encountered. More savvy users will be able to assist you with your technical needs there.

If you're looking to build a much faster car or are trying to squeeze more bang for the buck out of your newly converted EV, post about in Performance Discussion.

If you're building or converting a motorcycle, bike or other two or three-wheeled vehicle, a good place to start would be in the Electric Bikes Forum.

As for parts and additional services, there are Classifieds, eBay auctions, and a Vendor Forum.

Good luck with your conversion!

Start with a light weight car and enough room for a battery pack!

[trabant601]

These links and tips and those in the "Electric Trabant?" thread are great. I will certainly be in contact with appropriate people regarding advice and ideas.
I have made a small video of the donor Trabant in Indiana (perhaps the first electric Trabant in the USA), Rumpi might find others.
I will post a link to show the donor video ASAP in the "Electric Trabant?" thread.
btw: I have decided to remove the clutch. All of the advice here has been great but... the mate with some knowhow and a welder said he will not help me if I leave it in. I am convinced. The Hungarian Youtube video didn't hurt either.
More soon in "Electric Trabant?" thread.
trabant601

[kugmo]

Thanks for this post, noobs like me can get really good information.

[Voltswagen]

Raffles
Take a tip from an Old Wrench Guy. We all encounter rusted bolts when doing conversions. And the last thing you want to do is drill out a busted bolt and install a Heli-Coil. It takes hours.
Always try this first: Every good mechanic has a small Propane Torch in their garage. This is the torch you use to melt solder joints when doing plumbing. Light the torch and apply heat to the rusted bolt. A couple of minutes is all it takes. It's not necessary to get the bolt head red hot.
Just heat it up a little and then let it cool for five minutes.
This sudden heat will expand the bolt and it's threads breaking what is called: The Rust Weld. Once cool the bolt can be removed with ordinary force. I have found this to work better than any liquid or spray bolt loosener on the market.
Good Luck - Roy