[jondoh]

1) I'm using thundersky 100 ah cells (24 pcs) from www.evcomponents.com. i got in on the group buy in this very forum. see here:
http://www.evcomponents.com/ProductD...e=TS-LFP100AHA

2) all adaptors and couplers are machined. i found that prices vary greatly. I called these guys because they already made the hub, adaptor plate and spacer before. i think '92 through '95 has the same pattern. you'll have to call them for your '98. they're in Texas
http://www.peredelprecision.com/aboutus.html
Tel: 1-866-888-1101
or 512-846-2064

the great thing about my conversion is that everything fits under the hood. I didn't mess with the body at all. I drilled a few small holes and that's about it. the dynamics of the car are not that different. It's a little slower and front heavy.

[bazou]

Digging into this. Thanks everyone!
I just found out someone is converting a 1996 tercel. I'll try and see if I can get the adapter/coupler from the same place.

http://jaburinda.com/ev/0_Disassemble_Tercel_96.htm

[Riaan]

Hi All,

Just read the advice and decided to start again.

Ok, I have an old '78 VW Microbus crew cab vehicle (Thus a 4 seater with load bin in the back). I would love to convert this to electrical but must confess that I'm an total idiot if it comes to electrisity. Now I'm more than willing and happy to learn, and would appreciate some assistance from the specialists.

My vehicle currently has a 2L air coolde engin that produced (when new) a totasl of 58KW. Ok, now from some of the reading I have done I understand that the KW rating between fuel engins and electrical differs. Could anybody possibly explain to me how to calculate what my electrical motor must produce in order for it to be strong enough to power my vehicle. Note that I would like to connect the motor on to the current 4 speed manual gearbox in the bus.

What must I go for AC or DC, let me just add that I will be powering the vehicle with a onboard generator due to the distances I need to travel (OK so not completely EV) but I don't have any choice.

And lastly, I need to do this conversion as cheaply as humanly possible.

Your expertise and assistance will be greatly APPRECIATED.

Thanks
Riaan

[Voltswagen]

Riaan
"...as cheap as humanly possible"........means you will be using a DC Motor & Controller..........AC Motors & Controllers are not cheap.
Also you will be building it "clutchless" vs the more expensive "clutched" design.
The voltage (number of batteries) of your system will depend on what speed & range you hope to achieve. Basically low voltage = lower top speed and lower range. Higher voltage = higher top speed and higher range.

Using that Microbus you have plenty of room for batteries. And again basically higher voltage = more batteries = higher cost.
Heres an example you could look at:
www.evalbum.com/2843
Also bear in mind that whatever voltage you choose for your battery pack....the "onboard generator" must match that voltage. You can't charge a 120v battery pack with a 12v generator.

[Riaan]

Thank you so much for the information you shared with me, especially the link to fred's page. Absolutely brilliant.

Just one question, As I stated, due to distances I need to travel I will be powering the vehicle with a built in power generator. Now all generators are rated in KVA, how do I get from KVA to the point where I know if a generator is powerfull enough to power my motor?

Thanks again for the info

[Voltswagen]

Riaan
I'm not a Hybrid person so probably not the best source of knowledge on that question. I suspect that your onboard genset will not directly power your electric motor but rather feed your battery pack as you drive. So your choice of generator may depend more on the specs of the battery pack than the motor itself.
Anyway here is a link for converting KVA -


http://www.powerstream.com/VA-Watts.htm

[Riaan]

I hear you, again thanks for the additional link, much appreciated.

I would prefer to have pure battery power, but I commute 250 kilometers ( 156 miles) per day adn do not have any recharing point / facility during the day. I thus have no option but to go for hybrid. From your knowladge, would you think that there will be a problem supplying the motor directly from the genset ? as that is basically what I have in mind......

Thanks again

[Voltswagen]

That technology may exist but I would think it may be more expensive.
It's much easier to supply the battery pack and let the pack supply the motor in much the same way as many production hybrids.