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47 Posts
I have been reading build logs here for years, and I am pumped to start my own. This project has been years in the making, launched into motion by the fortunate circumstances.
The Chassis: A 1985 Dodge Ramcharger 2 door SUV. Built on the Chrysler AD platform, it shares a ladder frame and drivetrain components with every Dodge pickup truck built between 1972 and 1993... I purchased mine 4 years ago for 3000$, primarily for its relatively low rust frame and rust free(ish) body.
The Powerplant:
For the last three years my plan had been to use a Siemens 1PV5135 motor as the core of the new EV drivetrain, but I always hesitated because of the slow acceleration estimates I was coming up with in order to have a reasonable top speed. Bottom line, it was under-powered for a 5000lb truck, and I knew I would be disappointed with the result... the lack of a reasonably priced motor option stalled the project until recently.
Two weeks ago a fellow DIY EV enthusiast shared a link for a Smith Electric Box Truck being auctioned... I had to get on google to figure out what it was, but when I did I knew my drivetrain quest was over. I figured out how to place a bid, and this past Wednesday the truck was mine!
The drivetrain is a Enovo P120 motor / controller combo. There is very little information available online for this motor but what I do know is that it is somewhere between 60 & 120kw continuous (sources conflict) motor capable of accelerating a 22,000 lb box truck to 55mph using a 2:1 reduction drive and a 5:1? differential... plenty of power for a 5000lb on-road /off-road SUV. I have reached out in a couple of places for more information, but so far I haven't heard back.
The Batteries:
The truck I purchased was built with 48 x Valence U27-12XP batteries, in a 24S2P configuration... the odometer is just over 40k miles, with represents 400 charge & discharge cycles. I broke down the packs on monday and one module was flashing red and metered at 7.8v, the rest were green and in standby mode at 12.8v! I don’t think I have the space or weight capacity for all these batteries, but I do have a 16ft enclosed trailer/camper with a pair of aftermarket 4000lb axles, I may build a range extender pack in the trailer for long tows, Or I might just sell them to someone who wants a 80kwh solar storage battery and use the money to help buy a model 3 battery pack.
I will add photos as soon as I figure out how!
The Chassis: A 1985 Dodge Ramcharger 2 door SUV. Built on the Chrysler AD platform, it shares a ladder frame and drivetrain components with every Dodge pickup truck built between 1972 and 1993... I purchased mine 4 years ago for 3000$, primarily for its relatively low rust frame and rust free(ish) body.
The Powerplant:
For the last three years my plan had been to use a Siemens 1PV5135 motor as the core of the new EV drivetrain, but I always hesitated because of the slow acceleration estimates I was coming up with in order to have a reasonable top speed. Bottom line, it was under-powered for a 5000lb truck, and I knew I would be disappointed with the result... the lack of a reasonably priced motor option stalled the project until recently.
Two weeks ago a fellow DIY EV enthusiast shared a link for a Smith Electric Box Truck being auctioned... I had to get on google to figure out what it was, but when I did I knew my drivetrain quest was over. I figured out how to place a bid, and this past Wednesday the truck was mine!
The drivetrain is a Enovo P120 motor / controller combo. There is very little information available online for this motor but what I do know is that it is somewhere between 60 & 120kw continuous (sources conflict) motor capable of accelerating a 22,000 lb box truck to 55mph using a 2:1 reduction drive and a 5:1? differential... plenty of power for a 5000lb on-road /off-road SUV. I have reached out in a couple of places for more information, but so far I haven't heard back.
The Batteries:
The truck I purchased was built with 48 x Valence U27-12XP batteries, in a 24S2P configuration... the odometer is just over 40k miles, with represents 400 charge & discharge cycles. I broke down the packs on monday and one module was flashing red and metered at 7.8v, the rest were green and in standby mode at 12.8v! I don’t think I have the space or weight capacity for all these batteries, but I do have a 16ft enclosed trailer/camper with a pair of aftermarket 4000lb axles, I may build a range extender pack in the trailer for long tows, Or I might just sell them to someone who wants a 80kwh solar storage battery and use the money to help buy a model 3 battery pack.
I will add photos as soon as I figure out how!