[Hondo8]

I am new to the forum, I of course have a '09 Chinese Made truck, electrified when new by Miles of Santa Monica CA, an ZX40s. It is a little ugly but will do the job, if I can get it going again but at a speed of 50 at least.

The truck was operable with a 3 phase AC motor and a Curtis 1238 controller, which was pilfered along with the Charge control board sometime between my buying it and driving it.
Any suggestions on obtaining a replacement Curtis and Charge control board, as the wires were snipped and the plugs went with the culprit. I read a thread on the subject, however cannot find it again, from 2017.

 

[Hondo8]

I thought those things weren't street legal?

Anyway, Google & eBay -- did you bother to look?

The Curtis 1238 controller is on Ebay however I need the model confirmed, and the model of the charger so I can find one of those as well. The manual simply states it is a Curtis 3 phase AC motor controller with no model number.
There is also a "Programming issue" as these require a model #1313 Programmer. (I'd bet dip switches would have done a better job).
This puts me at $1400 for the controller and $600 for the programmer. I wonder if buying a smart car drive motor and transmission mounted sideways is a better investment at $1400.

Note: These are left hand drive DOT approved, with all glass and original 13" tires USA spec. Bumpers are a different matter with the original controller limiting the output to 25 mph, for safety regulations.

 

[Hondo8]

If you could just plug in the Smart components and drive, yes, but there would be a lot more work than that to mount the Smart drive unit and to control the Smart motor... which needs a lot more voltage than the battery of the Miles would provide.[/QUOTE]

My existing Curtis system is 72 volt with 6 expensive batteries ( $2500.) with a small Amp Hour availability. 35-45 miles on a 6 hour charge is abysmal performance for a $20,000. factory built motor vehicle. My current estimate to revive this $500. truck is about $6000 in parts, that makes my decision for me and takes me to the Smart EV recycled option. No one has offered a generic upgrade solution, so the 9" motor mated to the 2 wheel drive Toyota designed transmission, batteries and 4 on 100 mm rear axle, will be out of the truck and on EBay by Sunday.

My comments regarding the Smart and Tesla drive motors; The only system that is publicly sorted out for re-use, (Documented) is the Tesla Model S system. The batteries are a little pricey, however you can both cool and heat them easily to match charging requirements due to weather, and they are readily available plus the drive motors have controllers mounted to the motor and gear reduction transmission, which gives me 4 wheel drive options. as I will have a spinning axle output facing forward.
* Tesla and Smart traction motors are both "Gear reduced one speed, and simple to mount, as both have rubber mounting ears and both will give ample power to a 1500 lb. mini truck. for the upgrade to the Tesla, the infinite burnout capability would likely be worth the extra $1500.


Time for a new thread.. Tesla vs. Smart drive systems.