[Matt Fuctard]

Just wanted to introduce myself and say that I am looking forward to asking dumb questions and hopefully getting smart answers. I recently picked up a Ford Eluminator motor on the cheap for an EV swap that I want to start planning. Are there any stickies or recommended reading that I should explore prior to asking dumb questions?

So far I'm thinking AEM PDU-8 with AEM VCU200 and the inverter module from the front drive of a MachE. I have not been able to locate a Cascadia CM200 for sale. I am very open for direction, suggestions, and comments for these parts and any others.

Does anyone know what voltage I need for this setup? The max amperage discharge? I am trying to figure out batteries.

Any recommended vendors?

 

[brian_]

So far I'm thinking AEM PDU-8 with AEM VCU200 and the inverter module from the front drive of a MachE.

That will work when AEM EV releases their software for the Ford inverter. And the Eluminator will be an expensive paperweight until then. I'm looking forward to hearing when AEM actually releases and supports this, but for now the VCU200 only supports Cascadia inverters and motors.

 

[brian_]

Does anyone know what voltage I need for this setup? The max amperage discharge? I am trying to figure out batteries.

You need battery voltage within the allowed range for the inverter input (especially the maximum, but there will be a minimum as well). To get the same motor performance at higher motor speeds as the stock application, you need at least the same voltage (which is nominally about 360 V for most production EVs, including the Mach E).
Required battery current is simply required power divided by battery voltage.

 

[Matt Fuctard]

That will work when AEM EV releases their software for the Ford inverter. And the Eluminator will be an expensive paperweight until then. I'm looking forward to hearing when AEM actually releases and supports this, but for now the VCU200 only supports Cascadia inverters and motors.

Any suggestions for substitutions that'll work? Are they expected to announce support anytime in the next year?

 

[Matt Fuctard]

You need battery voltage within the allowed range for the inverter input (especially the maximum, but there will be a minimum as well). To get the same motor performance at higher motor speeds as the stock application, you need at least the same voltage (which is nominally about 360 V for most production EVs, including the Mach E).
Required battery current is simply required power divided by battery voltage.

Thanks. Guess I need to get the inverter sorted.

 

[brian_]

Any suggestions for substitutions that'll work?

For the Mach E inverter? None at all.

Another inverter (such as one from Cascadia) could be used with the Eluminator, if you can get someone to tune the inverter parameters to suit the motor. That has apparently already been done by someone who showed their project at the SEMA show... but lots of stuff shown at SEMA doesn't actually function (and not just EVs).

Are they expected to announce support anytime in the next year?

Ford said that they were going to an outside supplier for the VCU to make the Eluminator and Mach E inverter usable outside of a Mach E, and that was reported to be AEM EV. AEM EV doesn't even mention the Eluminator on their website, so I wouldn't expect anything to actually be delivered, ever... but it might happen this year, or next year, or whenever.

The important thing about the Eluminator "crate motor" for Ford is that they got lots of media coverage when they announced it. That's done, so it doesn't matter to them if it is ever a usable product. If it mattered to them, the VCU would have been ready long ago.

 

[Matt Fuctard]

For the Mach E inverter? None at all.

Another inverter (such as one from Cascadia) could be used with the Eluminator, if you can get someone to tune the inverter parameters to suit the motor. That has apparently already been done by someone who showed their project at the SEMA show... but lots of stuff shown at SEMA doesn't actually function (and not just EVs).


Ford said that they were going to an outside supplier for the VCU to make the Eluminator and Mach E inverter usable outside of a Mach E, and that was reported to be AEM EV. AEM EV doesn't even mention the Eluminator on their website, so I wouldn't expect anything to actually be delivered, ever... but it might happen this year, or next year, or whenever.

The important thing about the Eluminator "crate motor" for Ford is that they got lots of media coverage when they announced it. That's done, so it doesn't matter to them if it is ever a usable product. If it mattered to them, the VCU would have been ready long ago.

Yes SEMA is notorious for crap that doesn't run/work.

I guess now I know why it was soooo very cheap as it sounds like it's a paper weight for now. Here's an article (10/27/2022) that talks about the Ford AEM EV partnership which definitely lead me to believe I was on the right path. https://performance.ford.com/enthusiasts/media-room/2022/10/eluminator.html

Thanks again.

 

[brian_]

Yes SEMA is notorious for crap that doesn't run/work.

I guess now I know why it was soooo very cheap as it sounds like it's a paper weight for now. Here's an article (10/27/2022) that talks about the Ford AEM EV partnership which definitely lead me to believe I was on the right path. https://performance.ford.com/enthusiasts/media-room/2022/10/eluminator.html

Thanks again.

I agree that this media coverage suggests that the Eluminator plus a Ford inverter plus AEV EV control components will work, but commitment from AEV EV appears to be lacking. Maybe they'll deliver a working and supported solution tomorrow, but it may never appear.

I'll note that neither of the Ford-funded projects featured in that article use an Eluminator as intended for aftermarket conversions. The F-100 uses a complete Mach E system (including both drive units, both inverters, subframes, suspension, etc), and the Mustang uses no Ford electric drive parts at all.

 

[Matt Fuctard]

I agree that this media coverage suggests that the Eluminator plus a Ford inverter plus AEV EV control components will work, but commitment from AEV EV appears to be lacking. Maybe they'll deliver a working and supported solution tomorrow, but it may never appear.

I'll note that neither of the Ford-funded projects featured in that article use an Eluminator as intended for aftermarket conversions. The F-100 uses a complete Mach E system (including both drive units, both inverters, subframes, suspension, etc), and the Mustang uses no Ford electric drive parts at all.

Here’s the responseI got from an email I sent:


Hello Matt,

Thank you for reaching out to AEM technical support.

The Eluminator MachE kit is still in the development and testing stages. As we get closer to an official press release of the kit, we can then provide the more technical details. In the meantime, feel free to check out the teaser video we released and join our newsletter to receive email updates.

YouTube video:

Newsletter:

Press Releases | AEM EV

www.aemev.com

Thank You,

Matt Cruz
Technical Sales and Support
AEM Performance Electronics
(424) 348-3952 Ext. 7070
www.AEMElectronics.com

 

[brian_]

Here’s the response I got from an email I sent:

Hello Matt,

Thank you for reaching out to AEM technical support.

The Eluminator MachE kit is still in the development and testing stages. ...

A software product which should have taken days to create (given internal Ford documentation for reference) and weeks to test has been "in development" for many months, and isn't even mentioned on the corporate website. The video was released five months ago, and the VCU programming was done then. Don't hold your breath...

Perhaps more importantly, the teaser shows and describes a car with a Cascadia Motion CM200 inverter, not a Ford inverter. That's okay if that's the final plan, I suppose, assuming that you can afford an inverter which is so expensive that the distributor doesn't even post a price, but it would indicate how little interest Ford has in this "crate motor". A UK supplier lists the CM200 at £6,502 (CAD$10K+, USD$8K+).