[VOLKSWAGNER420]

1971 Super Beetle convertible EV project parts, prices, sources.
Motor: Warp 11 or made by NETGAIN and sold by ECPC at http://www.lithium-battery-division-...r-company.com/ for $2,600
Controller: DIY kit made by me, Rated for 144V and 500A designed and sold by Paul and Subrina’s EV stuff at http://www.paulandsabrinasevstuff.com/store/page3.html for $600
Battery charger: DIY kit which includes the PCB kit by me, designed and sold by EMotorWerksOnline at http://www.emotorwerks.com/emw3/prod...-no-enclosure/ needs an enclosure!
DC to DC Converter to charge accessories: Sold by ECPC at http://www.lithium-battery-division-...6-W_p_132.html for $249
EV Inertia Switch Emergency System Shutdown: Kills power in the event of a crash. Sold by ECPC at http://www.electriccarpartscompany.c...own_p_103.html for $63

Pot Box Throttle EV Controller: Sold by ECPC at http://www.lithium-battery-division-...ent_p_100.html for $160

I know I need battery's and cables, plus a main connector but what else am I missing? What kind of battery's should I go with? I am pretty sure that I can't afford Lithium unless you have a cheaper source then I have been seeing. Also is it better to have a LOT of smaller battery's or a FEW big ones and why? Thanks in advance for your help!

[Ziggythewiz]

I thought you wanted to keep the clutch and stuff. The transwarp is designed for direct drive, removing all that.

Be careful with the 'little' things. The costs add up quick. For example, you have a vacuum pump listed, but does your bug come with powered brakes? Also, an inertia switch can be had for far under $63

For batteries, in general you want as large as you need to minimize the number of connections. However, in lead land if you want them to last over 1 year, you can't use 12V batteries, you need some kind of golf cartish battery, so 6V or 8V. Which of those you pick should be largely determined by the AH you want, though for a 144V system I don't think your bug could survive 6V batts. That would typically be nearly 1500 lbs, just for the batteries.

If at all possible, just do lithium even if it means starting with less power and range than you'd like.

[VOLKSWAGNER420]

Awesome, see that what I am talking about about the inertia switch, it is one of the cheaper parts so I wouldn't have know that was high. Also about the motor it said that it is dual spline so I figured that you just coupled the other side, As for the brakes, I honestly didn't notice (Only had it 4 days) but if it doesn't have boosted brakes, it will sooner or later! If that is not the case with the motor what about the 11 inch Kostov? Can I run it with it coupled to my clutch and trans?

[Ziggythewiz]

I think the warp 11 or a K11 would be fine (overkill) for your project.

I was just pointing out that the transwarp is designed to replace your engine and transmission.

[VOLKSWAGNER420]

Ok So since I for sure DO want to keep my trans and clutch and don't want to needlessly convert a motor when others are available. What is the next available option. I would either like the same performance as the warp 11's (overkill) or the next step up, yes up. You see I am going to do this first EV and it is either gona be so freakin' awesome that I am hooked for life building many EV's and converting many more people orrr it is gona be a lame golf cart that takes me some of the places I go, some seasons only, with only some volume on the jams and I will never build another EV and go talk crap about them. Soooo if I have to cough up some extra coin to do it right the first time, then so be it! LITHIUM IT IS! So thanks for helping me to help the planet. I know that peak oil has come and gone and that EV's charged with solar on your garage is the wave of the future....I want to be riding that wave. I have the solar thing covered....Lets build a REAL DEAL EV!

[Ziggythewiz]

You can use the warp 11, just not the transwarp 11

[VOLKSWAGNER420]

I was wondering what the difference was. So the Warp 11 is for coupling and the TransWarp 11 is the one that mounts to the Chevy turbo 400. Thanks for clearing it up! Warp 11 it is!

[EVfun]

I see some problems here:

1. Make sure the motor will fit in a Bug. The regular 9 inch motor (WarP 9 or ADC FB1) are to long to fig without cutting the rear apron if you retain the clutch. For a bolt in fit I would suggest an Impulse 9 and adapter. I just picked one company to show you what I'm suggesting, there are a number of good EV parts vendors out there.

2. No VW Beetle had power brakes. You will not need a vacuum pump setup.

3. VW Beetles (the real ones sold up to 1980 in the USA) don't have a liquid heating system. It would be easier to add a blower and use a ceramic heating system.

[VOLKSWAGNER420]

Thanks for your reply EVFun! I had already heard that you had to trim the apron for the 11 to fit but that the lid covered it. The power breaks were something I was gona do for the led sled but I think that Ziggy and a few others have made me realize just how cheap Lithium is in the long run. and the heat I was gona run a coil of copper tubing and blow a fan across it...hadn't even thought about ceramic! Do you have a good source for that kind of heater?

[EVfun]

This is what I used before. Either 1 or 2 depending on your local climate and how warm you want to be. I suspect 1 would be as good as most stock Bugs.

Some people just some cheap ceramic cube heaters at the local hardware store (especially cheap on closeout in the spring) and use the cores out of them.