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11 Posts
I like the form factor, the minimalism, and the utilitarianism of the Vantage EVP1000 electric van; it conforms to European small vehicle styling. Dealing with a balky (6 year old) window regulator and failing door latch this afternoon, I found the handle mechanism to be so flimsy it will probably break the next time the trim panel is removed. The drive train, retrofitted by Vantage in California, is US made, though.
The worst bit is the 25mph speed limit set in software. Even worse, as I was driving it back home from U of F surplus yesterday, it bucked going down hill as the Curtis 1238-7601 (72-96V, 650A) controller attempted to limit the coast speed: someone at Vantage didn't get the regen time constant programming just right.
I would like to modify this van for a maximum speed of 50mph (at least down hill!) The HPEVS model AC 35-02 (35HP max, 10HP continuous, 72V, 4800RPM) motor looks equal to the task, but would require the TEAM 421640-300 gearbox to have a reduction ratio of less than 6.28:1 to do so. Sadly, googling any specs on the gearbox has been futile.
Concerned that it might not have enough range to make it the 5 miles home, since this was bought at auction, I was pleasantly surprised that the trip notched down the battery monitor only one peg. Voltage over the open contactor was 79.3.
I knew the U of F people had tired of their toy because the accessory battery kept going flat, but the traction battery was an unknown. Even so, it was an unpleasant surprise to find the meter showing almost full battery depletion after sitting idle overnight. But contactor was still showing over 78V. So either there is a serious 'OFF' drain on the traction battery too, or the Curtis controller has a wonky way of reporting remaining capacity.
Batteries usually impose a range limit, but in this vehicle probably will set a speed limit, too: the box is basically hermetically sealed, constructed without any cooling fins or liquid circulation, nor any labelling, for that matter. The chemistry is a guess: although the welcome splashscreen displays "LITHIUM", the idle voltage could represent either 36S lead-acid or 20S li-ion.
To add some icing to the cake, my insurance agent can't verify the VIN! I think I have bought a lemon.
The worst bit is the 25mph speed limit set in software. Even worse, as I was driving it back home from U of F surplus yesterday, it bucked going down hill as the Curtis 1238-7601 (72-96V, 650A) controller attempted to limit the coast speed: someone at Vantage didn't get the regen time constant programming just right.
I would like to modify this van for a maximum speed of 50mph (at least down hill!) The HPEVS model AC 35-02 (35HP max, 10HP continuous, 72V, 4800RPM) motor looks equal to the task, but would require the TEAM 421640-300 gearbox to have a reduction ratio of less than 6.28:1 to do so. Sadly, googling any specs on the gearbox has been futile.
Concerned that it might not have enough range to make it the 5 miles home, since this was bought at auction, I was pleasantly surprised that the trip notched down the battery monitor only one peg. Voltage over the open contactor was 79.3.
I knew the U of F people had tired of their toy because the accessory battery kept going flat, but the traction battery was an unknown. Even so, it was an unpleasant surprise to find the meter showing almost full battery depletion after sitting idle overnight. But contactor was still showing over 78V. So either there is a serious 'OFF' drain on the traction battery too, or the Curtis controller has a wonky way of reporting remaining capacity.
Batteries usually impose a range limit, but in this vehicle probably will set a speed limit, too: the box is basically hermetically sealed, constructed without any cooling fins or liquid circulation, nor any labelling, for that matter. The chemistry is a guess: although the welcome splashscreen displays "LITHIUM", the idle voltage could represent either 36S lead-acid or 20S li-ion.
To add some icing to the cake, my insurance agent can't verify the VIN! I think I have bought a lemon.
