[1clue]

Hi all.

I've read through the WIKI Main Page and cycled through the links there, as well as searched for some key terms. Note that this is over about 2 days, so I can't say I've searched everything on the site. I thought maybe I could save some time though if there's a section I'm missing.

I've been moderately interested in alternate energy in general and electric vehicles in specific for some time now, and I just found this site a couple days ago. I'm looking for real info on how to do some of this stuff, and this site has been fantastic. However.

There are only a very few mentions of AC motors and battery technologies which are not lead-acid. I see posts and glossary terms for what appear to be newer technologies but not Lithium Polymer nor NiCd.


Is there a section on these things which I'm missing? What I want to know is whether it's feasible to set up an electric car with 3-phase AC when you're a garage mechanic. I understand how 3-phase works, and I've had slight exposure to brushless DC in models.

If this site doesn't have any info on that, could someone point me toward a site which does?

It seems to me that the main wiki page could stand to link to comparisons in terms of performance and cost and difficulty to assemble. I would really like to try that for the first car (still looking for a donor) but I won't try it as a first-time if I'll be fighting uphill.

Thanks.

[hybrad]

AC is very doable...only obstacle is price. AC systems can ran almost twice as much as a DC system.

[1clue]

Originally Posted by hybrad

AC is very doable...only obstacle is price. AC systems can ran almost twice as much as a DC system.

Hybrad,

Thanks for the reply. Is there a place on this site where I can learn more about AC systems in an organized fashion?

Thanks again.

[frodus]

sure, use the "search" at the top of the page. Its been covered before, lots of times. If you still have questions, come ask specificics.

[Jacob Riskin]

Or in other words...no =P

[1clue]

Originally Posted by frodus

sure, use the "search" at the top of the page. Its been covered before, lots of times. If you still have questions, come ask specificics.

I don't mean to be troublesome, but that's not a helpful answer. Also keep in mind that I'm not trying to flame you or anyone else, only trying to get information. If my post comes across as aggressive or negative, then please know it was not intended to be that way.

I'm hoping for a section of the wiki which shows an organized presentation of what you need to know in order to make a 3-phase conversion similar to what is on the wiki for DC. Better yet would be for the existing wiki to compare AC and DC procedures such that I can make my choice after having seen the issues.

Let me make sure everyone knows I found the wiki VERY helpful. I have never seen such a well organized presentation of hands-on, garage mechanic-oriented information on converting a car. I feel that I can now intelligently ask questions about DC conversions and not feel like a moron.

If I had the slightest idea how to approach an AC conversion I would volunteer to help organize the wiki such that AC topics are integrated into the existing pages in appropriate places. I don't have any idea about the topic though, so I am hoping for either a link to a page which I did not find or for a link to some other site which focuses on this.


Searching on "3-phase" gets me a whole lot of details-oriented questions like programming homemade motor controllers with a safety pin and a converted toaster oven. I'm not anywhere near ready to design my own controller yet. I'm looking for a first conversion and hoping to be exposed to AC at the same time.

Thank you for your time.

[hybrad]

AC is same as DC except in AC you use an Inverter/Controller combo...DC you just use the Controller...AC is more efficient, offers regen and costs more...hope this helps.

[frodus]

I don't mean to be troublesome, but that's not a helpful answer. Also keep in mind that I'm not trying to flame you or anyone else, only trying to get information. If my post comes across as aggressive or negative, then please know it was not intended to be that way

You're just being a tad lazy. We've all done tons of research over the last year... you can too. Just asking people for all the information is easy, but its already been covered, many times. My post is just trying to get you to research a little. Not meant to be mean, but there is a search bar for a reason. I know my answer wasn't what you wanted... you wanted the easy answer all in one.

I'm hoping for a section of the wiki which shows an organized presentation of what you need to know in order to make a 3-phase conversion similar to what is on the wiki for DC. Better yet would be for the existing wiki to compare AC and DC procedures such that I can make my choice after having seen the issues.

There just aren't a TON of AC systems out there yet for people to do wiki's on them. People do blog about their conversions of AC systems, so maybe this site isn't the best, but go to google blog search.

http://blogsearch.google.com/

and check out evalbum AC conversions:

http://www.evalbum.com/mtrtp/AC3P

Let me make sure everyone knows I found the wiki VERY helpful. I have never seen such a well organized presentation of hands-on, garage mechanic-oriented information on converting a car. I feel that I can now intelligently ask questions about DC conversions and not feel like a moron.

I agree, it was very well put together. I sometimes wish there was an AC, but there's not a ton out there on wiki's, but there's a ton on blogs like this:
http://www.roadglue.com/wiki/index.p...ic_Conversions

If I had the slightest idea how to approach an AC conversion I would volunteer to help organize the wiki such that AC topics are integrated into the existing pages in appropriate places. I don't have any idea about the topic though, so I am hoping for either a link to a page which I did not find or for a link to some other site which focuses on this.

keep links of everything you find, and post to the wiki... it IS a wiki afterall.

[1clue]

Originally Posted by frodus

You're just being a tad lazy. We've all done tons of research over the last year... you can too. Just asking people for all the information is easy, but its already been covered, many times. My post is just trying to get you to research a little. Not meant to be mean, but there is a search bar for a reason. I know my answer wasn't what you wanted... you wanted the easy answer all in one.

Yes and no. Yes, I want it all in one spot. Yes, if all I wanted to do is find out about 3-phase AC conversions then it would be lazy. However, I bet there are a whole lot of lurkers out there who want to see exactly what I'm after. Finding out if the page I want exists is the first step. If I find enough to make the wiki entry then I'll make it or cooperate in making one if someone else has already started.

I agree, it was very well put together. I sometimes wish there was an AC, but there's not a ton out there on wiki's, but there's a ton on blogs like this:
http://www.roadglue.com/wiki/index.p...ic_Conversions

Fair enough.

keep links of everything you find, and post to the wiki... it IS a wiki after all.

I intend to, and you gave me a lot of info on this post to check out.

[ElectriCar]

1clue. As has been said, there isn't much info out there. I REALLY wanted an AC drive. I REALLY wanted regen. I GAVE UP temporarily. For one thing, the cheapest cost for an AC system I could find for an S10 that could keep up with a moped was $9000. That was a motor, controller and cables from http://www.electroauto.com/ I'm getting a DC system consisting of basically the same parts for about $3000.

I just can't see spending three times the DC price for 10-15% better mileage due to regen. That's the reason there are very few systems in operation and thus the lack of info.

Best of luck though!