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190 Posts
2010-12-03
A little disappointed today.( 1994 mazda b2300 chasis, amd4001 9” motor, curtis 1231c controller) I attempted the 20 mile barrier with the EV and almost didn’t make it back. Now it is cold 38-40 F. and windy I went 10 miles out and beat a 30-60 mile head wind on the return leg ( at 50mi/hr on a state highway), when I noticed a significant drop in voltage ( from 100-110) to 85-90 volts and had no more acceleration power. The last 5 miles to home was up some small hills where I could further appreciate decreasing current as lower voltage and no more than 300 amps, about 1 mile from home, up a small hill, I was slowing down loosing the remaining power I had, and I stopped at a pull of and shut her down. Luckily my wife was at home and I called her and had her bring the other truck and a tow cable. When she arrived I decided to have her just drive in front of me while I attempted to finish the last leg home up a small hill, about 10 minutes had elapsed. So I followed her up the last small hill back to the ranch, the EV now seemed to have all of it’s original power and I drove it home on it’s own power with plenty of acceleration @100+ voltage and plenty of amps. I immediately read all cells ( #20-6volt) and they read between 6.04- 6.08 with the majority @ 6.06, after 1 hour Eq. the pack read 121.3 volts. I don’t quite know how to interpret these values. But I was really hoping for a 30 mile range so that I could use the truck for a work vehicle ( I have a 28 mile commute to work with a charging station available there). The variables that I’m considering are #1 these are new batteries, and this is their 3rd cycle hopefully they will “ break in” a little bit, #2 it is cold and according to the chart (http://www.batteryfaq.org/ ) I was just under 50% SOC hopefully, when it is warmer these cells will give it up better, #3 I’ll have to try this again when I’m not driving against a hurricane. I may also try removing the air induction coil that I put on the motor ( go to EVamarica for this article) after the runs I’ve done this is the only thing, other than the motor, that gets a little warm with a hard run, my coil is 15ft of 1-0 copper between the windings. All connections and battery terminals have remained cool to the touch, I don’t think I have a connection issue. If anyone out there has any suggestions I’m all ears.
I guess the question that really comes to mind is; is this the kind of performance that I can expect with this setup? Or is it unrealistically low? Is there anything that I should be doing ( checking each batt. Closely, checking the drive for drag?), to increase range? Thanks again. Ps attached is an article from EV America for the induction coil.
A little disappointed today.( 1994 mazda b2300 chasis, amd4001 9” motor, curtis 1231c controller) I attempted the 20 mile barrier with the EV and almost didn’t make it back. Now it is cold 38-40 F. and windy I went 10 miles out and beat a 30-60 mile head wind on the return leg ( at 50mi/hr on a state highway), when I noticed a significant drop in voltage ( from 100-110) to 85-90 volts and had no more acceleration power. The last 5 miles to home was up some small hills where I could further appreciate decreasing current as lower voltage and no more than 300 amps, about 1 mile from home, up a small hill, I was slowing down loosing the remaining power I had, and I stopped at a pull of and shut her down. Luckily my wife was at home and I called her and had her bring the other truck and a tow cable. When she arrived I decided to have her just drive in front of me while I attempted to finish the last leg home up a small hill, about 10 minutes had elapsed. So I followed her up the last small hill back to the ranch, the EV now seemed to have all of it’s original power and I drove it home on it’s own power with plenty of acceleration @100+ voltage and plenty of amps. I immediately read all cells ( #20-6volt) and they read between 6.04- 6.08 with the majority @ 6.06, after 1 hour Eq. the pack read 121.3 volts. I don’t quite know how to interpret these values. But I was really hoping for a 30 mile range so that I could use the truck for a work vehicle ( I have a 28 mile commute to work with a charging station available there). The variables that I’m considering are #1 these are new batteries, and this is their 3rd cycle hopefully they will “ break in” a little bit, #2 it is cold and according to the chart (http://www.batteryfaq.org/ ) I was just under 50% SOC hopefully, when it is warmer these cells will give it up better, #3 I’ll have to try this again when I’m not driving against a hurricane. I may also try removing the air induction coil that I put on the motor ( go to EVamarica for this article) after the runs I’ve done this is the only thing, other than the motor, that gets a little warm with a hard run, my coil is 15ft of 1-0 copper between the windings. All connections and battery terminals have remained cool to the touch, I don’t think I have a connection issue. If anyone out there has any suggestions I’m all ears.
I guess the question that really comes to mind is; is this the kind of performance that I can expect with this setup? Or is it unrealistically low? Is there anything that I should be doing ( checking each batt. Closely, checking the drive for drag?), to increase range? Thanks again. Ps attached is an article from EV America for the induction coil.
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