[petenyma]

I have been slowly working on my 66 MG Midget for the past 2 years and tonight I got it running and went around the block a few times!

I have to say I was surprised with the performance - it really moves!

Some general info:

- Zilla controller
- Impulse 9" DC motor. Original tranny with no clutch.
- 38 100AH Sky Energy batteries
- Chinoz charger

I still need to finish some body work and paint the car but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel...

I will post some pics as soon as I can find my camera.


Pete

[Bottomfeeder]

It sounds awesome!

I'm definitely interested in some pictures.

[gdirwin]

Congratulations! Looks like you built a little rocket...

[RKM]

Pete,

Congrats!! All the work, time, money and even the frustration pays off as soon as you press down with your right foot (my experience anyway).

Sounds like a great combination; light car, big controller and motor plus LiFePO4.

What is it like to shift? Mine is clutchless and was a really pleasant surprise.

Love to see pictures of the before and after paint.

Rob

[petenyma]

Here are a few pics of the Midget today.

I have 12 of the 38 batteries under the hood and the remaining 26 under the trunk. The car sits about an inch lower in the front then back with this weight distribution.

As you can see I still have a lot of wiring clean up - this car was originally wired for positive earth so every bit of wiring has had to be torn out and redone.

Tonight I am charging the batteries completely for the first time.


Pete

[everanger]

very cool project.enjoy

[petenyma]

After driving around the black a few more (20 at least ) times I can say that shifting without a clutch is not a problem - in fact I'm thinking I will rarely have to shift at all. It starts in 3rd gear with no problem. 2nd is just fun and will bark the tires if I get on it. And 1st is probably going to break something if I use it. So far my block isn't big enough to use 4th but my daily commute is about 12 miles of 60MPH road so I'm sure I will use it there.


Last night I fully charged the batteries for the first time. The charger ended with a voltage of 136v (3.57v per cell) this morning the pack is reading 128v. It seems a little low but well within the safe reign of these batteries.

I do not have a BMS yet but I do plan on using the Volt Blochers for the balancing. Then just using the low voltage warning on the Zilla for low battery. I will probably set that for around 115v and just stay away from the empty side of my pack.

[Woodsmith]

That is a lovely project to work on, I'v always had a soft spot for the MG Midget as it was the car my first girlfriend drove when she used to pick me up before I got my licence.

[MN Driver]

Very nice, I like the MG's and most other little british cars as well. Are the positive earth electronics also a 6 volt setup? That's gotta be tons of fun riding an MG with electric!

[dimitri]

Originally Posted by petenyma

Last night I fully charged the batteries for the first time. The charger ended with a voltage of 136v (3.57v per cell) this morning the pack is reading 128v. It seems a little low but well within the safe reign of these batteries.

I do not have a BMS yet but I do plan on using the Volt Blochers for the balancing. Then just using the low voltage warning on the Zilla for low battery. I will probably set that for around 115v and just stay away from the empty side of my pack.

Did you check every cell at the end of first charge? Do they all have same voltage? Initial balancing is pretty important since cells could have various SOC levels at first. Having shunts on during initial charge is pretty important, you are taking a risk of overcharging a cell or two.

I'm surprised pack voltage dropped that much overnight, seems that something is draining the pack, try to measure if there is any current going thru the pack while the car is off. Is there a precharge circuit for Zilla? Maybe precharge is leaking current to DC-DC converter, I had this issue until I realized what was going on.

What is the big black box that looks like old starter battery? Are you planning to replace it with small 12V aux battery?

Cool car BTW, congrats!