[freddyflatfoot]

Thanks for the reply dj.
I was thinking that 72v should be enough for a town car, without adding too much weight to a light car.
It should never need to go on the highway, but we do have some local feeder roads that are 70 kph limited, and would like to keep up with the traffic on those.
Terrain around here is mostly flat, but being at the edge of an ancient lava flow, we do have some killer hills!
I'm assuming that would be a good reason to keep the manual box?
I would still like some sort of expectation on the lifespan of lead batteries.
I'm thinking of maybe Optima yellowtops, or a similar battery?
Thanks,
Rob L

[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

[Tarkus]

Ok I need some input on some old school thinking:
My skill levels are high on most of the list but lacking in experience with larger propulsion motors. Have access to a pair of very large military turbine engine starter motors 24v haven't copied data plates yet, my problem is they are shunt wound??? not sure if I should rewind/rewire to a series type or if its worth the trouble with these particular motors. Or are shunt wound motors desirable? Anyone with suggestions please chime in.

Building out a 86 Toyota PU as old school Hybrid.

Past experience (I've built)
Battle Bots, Tarkus and Mechavore both 100K machines
several small wind generators, 2 ultralight aircraft (1 design & build)
several HHO generators (2 installed on vehicles)
Restored a 1959 Taylor Dunn Trident electric car. building a PWM speed control for better range.
In design stages of a electric three wheeler and 50cc micro diesel gen.

Thanks
Dave

[Tri14930]

Hey Everyone-

I am new to this and have a couple questions I am havng trouble figuring out. I want to build an EV for my commute to school. I will probably end up building a VW Bug because it is cheap to find and parts are pretty abundant. My commute is about 15 miles each way but I am looking for a full charge of about 80 miles as I would need to charge my car at another location besides my house(I live in an apartment complex). I would probably end up averging 55mph on the way. Maybe 45-50mph but I am erring on the cautious side, if it can go 55mph that long than it should be fine at 45-50mph. It is pretty flat on the way so hills are not a problem. What are my major needs? I.e. What size motor should I get? How many batteries and which kinds would be best for my application? I am trying to do this on the cheap and I will be getting as many used and discounted parts as possible. Any specific parts or resources to find these parts would be helpful. Thanks in advance for all your help,

Tim

[Voltswagen]

Tim
Look at my Beetle Build here: www.evalbum.com/2187
It is unlikely, without installing Lithium Batteries ($14,000.00), that you will achieve an 80 mile range with Lead Acid batteries.
An EV's range is determined by three major factors: Vehicle Weight, Speed and battery capacity. Simplifying it, the more batteries and the lower the speed, the greater the range.
My Beetle uses 15 - 8 volt batteries = 120 volts total. My range is about 35 miles at an average speed of 40 mph. Had I used 10 - 12 volt batteries (again 120 volts total) my range would be reduced assuming that my speed remained the same.
If on the other hand I had installed 20 - 6 volt batteries = 120 volts, my range would increase. I chose not to go with 20 due to limited space and weight limits of a Beetle. Using 15 batteries I have not exceeded the gross vehicle weight of my Beetle (about 2700 lbs.) 20 batteries would cause the vehicle to exceed the gross vehicle weight and make the car unsafe to drive. And even then upgrading to disc brakes would not relieve the added stress on the frame, suspension and steering components.
I would suggest that you spend a few days on this site reading from real life experiences by EV builders and then what I have said above will begin to make sense.
Good Luck - Roy

[SirHenry]

Has anyone ever thought of converting a mini van? I have 4 kids, and sedans aren't big enough.

What type of power requirements would be needed?

[Voltswagen]

SirHenry
Here are two you could look at:
www.evalbum.com/377
www.evalbum.com/8

If I were to build a Minivan EV, to save on building costs, I would use a 144 volt system composed of 24 - 6 volt batteries. With the added space of a Minivan the extra batteries should not be a problem. I would however pay close attention to Gross Vehicle Weight.
Roy

[ClintK]

Originally Posted by SirHenry

Has anyone ever thought of converting a mini van? I have 4 kids, and sedans aren't big enough.

What type of power requirements would be needed?

Most people don't convert mini vans because they are generally heavier and less aerodynamic (meaning less range/performance). Dodge made a production electric van in the 90's that got about 80 miles range, but it's better for the factory to design for electric than have us convert it later. They used a 180V nominal voltage and a 54kW electric motor.

There is actually one of those van's for sale on this site http://www.diyelectriccar.com/forums...-ev-26020.html (Sorry! )

[SirHenry]

Could you use two small motors to drive the wheels, rather than one big connected to a transmission? What would that do to the range/power requirements?

I don't mean in wheel hub motors. Just connect the motors to the drive shafts that already exist.

Thanks