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[EVDL] Quick question - noob to start EV conversion

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E
Hello,

I am sure the question has been asked and asked...so why break a pattern?
:)

I have been reading, investigating and thinking about EV's for a while, and
bought my car a while back with converting it to electric in mind...

It is a 1991 Mercedes 190e 2.6L 5-speed...I figured it is small enough, rear
wheel drive and a manual...good support on parts, in good condition (105k
miles) and something I would not mind driving for many years, and it is my
daily driver for my work commute of 33 miles round-trip of mixed city and
highway driving. Without any special work, I have been able to get about
28mpg out of a car that should be getting 22...so I am hoping this might be
an interesting conversion candidate! I would like to start the conversion
while there is still some economic value to the engine and associated parts.

Now...for the question...any good places to start shopping and collecting
the needed bits and pieces for my conversion? If possible, I would like to
save some money w/o sacrificing quality (ie. not go cheap on batteries) and
keep the system sized so that if this car needs to be replaced/upgraded it
will not be too much of a problem.

Thanks in advance!!

--Randall
Concord, NC

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E
Randall,

I am very happy with everything that I got from EVParts.com

I got my adapter from Electro Automotive. Their work is great, BUT
their customer service and speed is not so great.


Jody

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On
Behalf Of Randall
Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 10:31
To: Electric Vehicle Discussion List
Subject: [EVDL] Quick question - noob to start EV conversion

Hello,

I am sure the question has been asked and asked...so why break a
pattern?
:)

I have been reading, investigating and thinking about EV's for a while,
and bought my car a while back with converting it to electric in mind...

It is a 1991 Mercedes 190e 2.6L 5-speed...I figured it is small enough,
rear wheel drive and a manual...good support on parts, in good condition
(105k
miles) and something I would not mind driving for many years, and it is
my daily driver for my work commute of 33 miles round-trip of mixed city
and highway driving. Without any special work, I have been able to get
about 28mpg out of a car that should be getting 22...so I am hoping this
might be an interesting conversion candidate! I would like to start the
conversion while there is still some economic value to the engine and
associated parts.

Now...for the question...any good places to start shopping and
collecting the needed bits and pieces for my conversion? If possible, I
would like to save some money w/o sacrificing quality (ie. not go cheap
on batteries) and keep the system sized so that if this car needs to be
replaced/upgraded it will not be too much of a problem.

Thanks in advance!!

--Randall
Concord, NC

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For subscription options, see
http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/ev

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On 16 Oct 2007 at 10:31, Randall wrote:

> Now...for the question...any good places to start shopping and collecting
> the needed bits and pieces for my conversion?

EVParts, Metric Mind, Electric Vehicles of America, and Electro Automotive
all come to mind. They aren't the cheapest way to go, but you get a fair
bit of experience and expertise along with your parts.

Before really digging in, I suggest you look at this :

http://evdl.org/docs/ev_acquisition_continuum.pdf

Pay particular attention to the circle at the bottom left of the Ven
diagram, where cost, expertise, and effort are all relatively low.

David Roden - Akron, Ohio, USA
EVDL Administrator

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
EVDL Information: http://www.evdl.org/help/
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Note: mail sent to "evpost" or "etpost" addresses will not
reach me. To send a private message, please obtain my
email address from the webpage http://www.evdl.org/help/ .
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =


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" All good so far, bu t regr ettably th e experience and sk ill requir ed a
lso sta rt sm all a t the left a nd get large a t the right. I t's
regrettable beca use many people starting out in the EV hobby have little
experience and skill, but also don't want to spend much money."

(chuckle) Almost like that was written for me... :) I am looking for
energy independence, but not spending enough to save the world! ;-)

Not bad...I keep beating around the idea of shopping for a used EV...but it
might be easier (budget-wise) to pickup the parts little by little??


----- Original Message -----
From: "David Roden" <[email protected]>
To: "Electric Vehicle Discussion List" <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 11:14 AM
Subject: Re: [EVDL] Quick question - noob to start EV conversion


> On 16 Oct 2007 at 10:31, Randall wrote:
>
>> Now...for the question...any good places to start shopping and collecting
>> the needed bits and pieces for my conversion?
>
> EVParts, Metric Mind, Electric Vehicles of America, and Electro Automotive
> all come to mind. They aren't the cheapest way to go, but you get a fair
> bit of experience and expertise along with your parts.
>
> Before really digging in, I suggest you look at this :
>
> http://evdl.org/docs/ev_acquisition_continuum.pdf
>
> Pay particular attention to the circle at the bottom left of the Ven
> diagram, where cost, expertise, and effort are all relatively low.
>
> David Roden - Akron, Ohio, USA
> EVDL Administrator
>
> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
> EVDL Information: http://www.evdl.org/help/
> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
> Note: mail sent to "evpost" or "etpost" addresses will not
> reach me. To send a private message, please obtain my
> email address from the webpage http://www.evdl.org/help/ .
> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> For subscription options, see
> http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/ev

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On 16 Oct 2007 at 11:21, Randall wrote:

> I keep beating around the idea of shopping for a used EV...but it
> might be easier (budget-wise) to pickup the parts little by little??

As the diagram suggests, it'll be cheaper to buy a used EV. Of course
buying the parts over time lets you spread out the cost, but I suspect the
eventual cost will be higher - as it would be if you took out a loan to buy
the used EV.

David Roden - Akron, Ohio, USA
EVDL Administrator

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
EVDL Information: http://www.evdl.org/help/
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Note: mail sent to "evpost" or "etpost" addresses will not
reach me. To send a private message, please obtain my
email address from the webpage http://www.evdl.org/help/ .
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =


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I second this from personal experience. There's no way on Earth I could
have built the truck I bought for the same money. Probably would have
been close to twice as much. Of course, it might have been more
fun...but there's always the next vehicle ;-)

Hunter

David Roden wrote:
> On 16 Oct 2007 at 11:21, Randall wrote:
>
> > I keep beating around the idea of shopping for a used EV...but it
> > might be easier (budget-wise) to pickup the parts little by little??
>
> As the diagram suggests, it'll be cheaper to buy a used EV. Of course
> buying the parts over time lets you spread out the cost, but I suspect the
> eventual cost will be higher - as it would be if you took out a loan to buy
> the used EV.
>
> David Roden - Akron, Ohio, USA
> EVDL Administrator
>
> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
> EVDL Information: http://www.evdl.org/help/
> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
> Note: mail sent to "evpost" or "etpost" addresses will not
> reach me. To send a private message, please obtain my
> email address from the webpage http://www.evdl.org/help/ .
> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> For subscription options, see
> http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/ev

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Someone else may have said this, but I've been
following the EV Trading Post, the number of cheap
used EVs has diminished. Just look at the average
price lately. People are either snapping the cheap
ones up and retrofitting them the way they should've
been done, or stripping them for parts, IMHO.

Ie, there may have been a lower voltage one that has
now rec'd a new controller and more batts., or someone
got one with no DCDC, just an aux batt and retrofitted
that.
peace,


--- Hunter Cook <[email protected]> wrote:

> I second this from personal experience. There's no
> way on Earth I could
> have built the truck I bought for the same money.
> Probably would have
> been close to twice as much. Of course, it might
> have been more
> fun...but there's always the next vehicle ;-)
>
> Hunter
>
> On Tue, 2007-10-16 at 11:41 -0400, David Roden
> wrote:
> > On 16 Oct 2007 at 11:21, Randall wrote:
> >
> > > I keep beating around the idea of shopping for a
> used EV...but it
> > > might be easier (budget-wise) to pickup the
> parts little by little??
> >
> > As the diagram suggests, it'll be cheaper to buy a
> used EV. Of course
> > buying the parts over time lets you spread out the
> cost, but I suspect the
> > eventual cost will be higher - as it would be if
> you took out a loan to buy
> > the used EV.
> >
> > David Roden - Akron, Ohio, USA
> > EVDL Administrator
> >
> > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
> = = = =
> > EVDL Information: http://www.evdl.org/help/
> > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
> = = = =
> > Note: mail sent to "evpost" or "etpost" addresses
> will not
> > reach me. To send a private message, please
> obtain my
> > email address from the webpage
> http://www.evdl.org/help/ .
> > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
> = = = =
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > For subscription options, see
> > http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/ev
>
> _______________________________________________
> For subscription options, see
> http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/ev
>


Converting a gen. 5 Honda Civic? My $20 "CiviWithACord" DVD shows footage of my '92 sedan, as well as a del Sol and hatch too!
www.budget.net/~bbath/CivicWithACord.html
____
__/__|__\ __
=D-------/ - - \
'O'-----'O'-'
Would you still drive your car if the tailpipe came out of the steering wheel? Are you saving any gas for your kids?



____________________________________________________________________________________
Be a better Heartthrob. Get better relationship answers from someone who knows. Yahoo! Answers - Check it out.
http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396545433

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With all due respect, I chose the Civic b/c someone
else had done it before. I didn't want to be a
pioneer on my first conversion-- I wanted to get one
more _on the road_. Have you checked for others
having done that model? Perhaps there is a reason--
weight?
peace,


--- Randall <[email protected]> wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I am sure the question has been asked and asked...so
> why break a pattern?
> :)
>
> I have been reading, investigating and thinking
> about EV's for a while, and
> bought my car a while back with converting it to
> electric in mind...
>
> It is a 1991 Mercedes 190e 2.6L 5-speed...I figured
> it is small enough, rear
> wheel drive and a manual...good support on parts, in
> good condition (105k
> miles) and something I would not mind driving for
> many years, and it is my
> daily driver for my work commute of 33 miles
> round-trip of mixed city and
> highway driving. Without any special work, I have
> been able to get about
> 28mpg out of a car that should be getting 22...so I
> am hoping this might be
> an interesting conversion candidate! I would like
> to start the conversion
> while there is still some economic value to the
> engine and associated parts.
>
> Now...for the question...any good places to start
> shopping and collecting
> the needed bits and pieces for my conversion? If
> possible, I would like to
> save some money w/o sacrificing quality (ie. not go
> cheap on batteries) and
> keep the system sized so that if this car needs to
> be replaced/upgraded it
> will not be too much of a problem.
>
> Thanks in advance!!
>
> --Randall
> Concord, NC
>
> _______________________________________________
> For subscription options, see
> http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/ev
>


Converting a gen. 5 Honda Civic? My $20 "CiviWithACord" DVD shows footage of my '92 sedan, as well as a del Sol and hatch too!
www.budget.net/~bbath/CivicWithACord.html
____
__/__|__\ __
=D-------/ - - \
'O'-----'O'-'
Would you still drive your car if the tailpipe came out of the steering wheel? Are you saving any gas for your kids?



____________________________________________________________________________________
Be a better Heartthrob. Get better relationship answers from someone who knows. Yahoo! Answers - Check it out.
http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396545433

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I have looked, but the closest I have seen are BMW 3 series
conversions...similar size and weight...but not many MB's...I think mostly
because many are still running well, and most are automatics... ????


----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Bath" <[email protected]>
To: "Electric Vehicle Discussion List" <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 7:52 PM
Subject: Re: [EVDL] Quick question - noob to start EV conversion


> With all due respect, I chose the Civic b/c someone
> else had done it before. I didn't want to be a
> pioneer on my first conversion-- I wanted to get one
> more _on the road_. Have you checked for others
> having done that model? Perhaps there is a reason--
> weight?
> peace,
>
>
> --- Randall <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Hello,
>>
>> I am sure the question has been asked and asked...so
>> why break a pattern?
>> :)
>>
>> I have been reading, investigating and thinking
>> about EV's for a while, and
>> bought my car a while back with converting it to
>> electric in mind...
>>
>> It is a 1991 Mercedes 190e 2.6L 5-speed...I figured
>> it is small enough, rear
>> wheel drive and a manual...good support on parts, in
>> good condition (105k
>> miles) and something I would not mind driving for
>> many years, and it is my
>> daily driver for my work commute of 33 miles
>> round-trip of mixed city and
>> highway driving. Without any special work, I have
>> been able to get about
>> 28mpg out of a car that should be getting 22...so I
>> am hoping this might be
>> an interesting conversion candidate! I would like
>> to start the conversion
>> while there is still some economic value to the
>> engine and associated parts.
>>
>> Now...for the question...any good places to start
>> shopping and collecting
>> the needed bits and pieces for my conversion? If
>> possible, I would like to
>> save some money w/o sacrificing quality (ie. not go
>> cheap on batteries) and
>> keep the system sized so that if this car needs to
>> be replaced/upgraded it
>> will not be too much of a problem.
>>
>> Thanks in advance!!
>>
>> --Randall
>> Concord, NC
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> For subscription options, see
>> http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/ev
>>
>
>
> Converting a gen. 5 Honda Civic? My $20 "CiviWithACord" DVD shows footage
> of my '92 sedan, as well as a del Sol and hatch too!
> www.budget.net/~bbath/CivicWithACord.html
> ____
> __/__|__\ __
> =D-------/ - - \
> 'O'-----'O'-'
> Would you still drive your car if the tailpipe came out of the steering
> wheel? Are you saving any gas for your kids?
>
>
>
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> Be a better Heartthrob. Get better relationship answers from someone who
> knows. Yahoo! Answers - Check it out.
> http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396545433
>
> _______________________________________________
> For subscription options, see
> http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/ev

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Randall-

Those may well be big reasons why you can't find Mercedes conversions.
But I would definitely take Bob's advice and look at the curb weight vs.
GVWC of that car. Moreover, I think his bigger point is that if you
don't have anyone else's same-model conversion to look at you're going
to have a lot more engineering to do yourself. Things like battery
boxes, component layout/placement, dealing with special systems (does it
have power steering? AC? Don't some of those Mercs have
electronically-conrolled throttle/brakes?) and other concerns are solved
problems when you're doing a vehicle lots of others have done. Any one
of these things could be a total showstopper when you're out there on
your own, particularly when it's your first try. Also, consider that
while the engine in your car certainly is worth something, the whole car
is probably worth a lot more....you could sell it and pick up a Porsche
914 or something (preferably with a blown engine) and probably come out
way ahead.

Of course, it's not impossible. But you should be aware of what you're
getting yourself into. If you do decide to stick with the Merc, you
would do well to start by checking around and seeing if you can get a
tranny adapter plate, and maybe do some measuring/planning of where your
batteries, motor, controller, etc. will go.

Good luck!

Hunter

Randall wrote:
> I have looked, but the closest I have seen are BMW 3 series
> conversions...similar size and weight...but not many MB's...I think mostly
> because many are still running well, and most are automatics... ????
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bob Bath" <[email protected]>
> To: "Electric Vehicle Discussion List" <[email protected]>
> Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 7:52 PM
> Subject: Re: [EVDL] Quick question - noob to start EV conversion
>
>
> > With all due respect, I chose the Civic b/c someone
> > else had done it before. I didn't want to be a
> > pioneer on my first conversion-- I wanted to get one
> > more _on the road_. Have you checked for others
> > having done that model? Perhaps there is a reason--
> > weight?
> > peace,
> >
> >
> > --- Randall <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> >> Hello,
> >>
> >> I am sure the question has been asked and asked...so
> >> why break a pattern?
> >> :)
> >>
> >> I have been reading, investigating and thinking
> >> about EV's for a while, and
> >> bought my car a while back with converting it to
> >> electric in mind...
> >>
> >> It is a 1991 Mercedes 190e 2.6L 5-speed...I figured
> >> it is small enough, rear
> >> wheel drive and a manual...good support on parts, in
> >> good condition (105k
> >> miles) and something I would not mind driving for
> >> many years, and it is my
> >> daily driver for my work commute of 33 miles
> >> round-trip of mixed city and
> >> highway driving. Without any special work, I have
> >> been able to get about
> >> 28mpg out of a car that should be getting 22...so I
> >> am hoping this might be
> >> an interesting conversion candidate! I would like
> >> to start the conversion
> >> while there is still some economic value to the
> >> engine and associated parts.
> >>
> >> Now...for the question...any good places to start
> >> shopping and collecting
> >> the needed bits and pieces for my conversion? If
> >> possible, I would like to
> >> save some money w/o sacrificing quality (ie. not go
> >> cheap on batteries) and
> >> keep the system sized so that if this car needs to
> >> be replaced/upgraded it
> >> will not be too much of a problem.
> >>
> >> Thanks in advance!!
> >>
> >> --Randall
> >> Concord, NC
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> For subscription options, see
> >> http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/ev
> >>
> >
> >
> > Converting a gen. 5 Honda Civic? My $20 "CiviWithACord" DVD shows footage
> > of my '92 sedan, as well as a del Sol and hatch too!
> > www.budget.net/~bbath/CivicWithACord.html
> > ____
> > __/__|__\ __
> > =D-------/ - - \
> > 'O'-----'O'-'
> > Would you still drive your car if the tailpipe came out of the steering
> > wheel? Are you saving any gas for your kids?
> >
> >
> >
> > ____________________________________________________________________________________
> > Be a better Heartthrob. Get better relationship answers from someone who
> > knows. Yahoo! Answers - Check it out.
> > http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396545433
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > For subscription options, see
> > http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/ev
>
> _______________________________________________
> For subscription options, see
> http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/ev

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