Want to covert

2390 Views 8 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Bontemps, May 15, 2008

Bontemps

Discussion Starter · May 14, 2008

A 1990 LTD crown victoria wagon.
curb weight, 4200lbs.
range no more than 50, top speed can be 45 or so.
At issue is this, the LTD happens to me the car I used for my mail route until the engine bellied up and I haven't been able to figure out why it quit. (still thinking fuel pump) But, I am looking at converting to save on 3.50/gal+ gas. I am pretty sure I would need to go with the AC motor, using regen braking and direct drive. Would also need smaller motors for A/C, powersteering and brake boost. I live only 5 miles from the post office, the route is less than 30 miles which is why I said no more than 50 mile range. I may stop off at walmart for something or quick side trip somewhere for food or stuff. Other than that I don't need it for anything else.

I am pretty technically savy, I have rebuilt a few engines and can work my way around a car. (just not the friggin computers)

So, would this be technically possible? I would even add a portable generator to the luggage rack on top.

LOL! Well, looking to answer questions so I can form a plan of attack on getting this thing electrified!

Thanks!

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joseph3354

· #2 · May 14, 2008 (Edited)

if you could get your hands on one of those mail trucks,you could have a nice conversion.look up GONE POSTAL,its a mail truck conversion.
here's a link.

http://www.suckamps.com/?page=projects

edit:gone postal was originally an ev ,my mistake,still a nice thought.

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grose

· #3 · May 14, 2008

Delivering mail is a largely stop and go process. This is not good for battery powered vehicles. Given your numbers it is doable, but I would recommend a smaller, lighter car -- as long as it fits your mail!

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mattW

· #4 · May 14, 2008

I disagree, stop and go compared to a ICE is much better with electric since you don't have to idle or restart the engine. Yes the efficiency isn't the best at stall but the limited range and top speed requirements would be easily met. Although the donor is heavy it will just depend on whether Bonetemps wants to spend more on batteries for a bigger vehicle or save some money with a smaller one.

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grose

· #5 · May 14, 2008

mattW said:
I disagree, stop and go compared to a ICE is much better with electric since you don't have to idle or restart the engine.

I'll agree with you on this. Stop and go isn't efficient with any fuel when you compare it to moving along at a consistent pace. I was just thinking about the large amp draw to get the vehicle moving over and over again.

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joseph3354

· #6 · May 14, 2008

i don't know where you are located bontemps,but i found this out on the net.might be worth a look if you live near indiana.it's a jeep right hand drive mail carrier.

http://www.antiquecar.com/index/listings/page13189.htm

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Fatboy

· #7 · May 14, 2008

Since we don't know the number of stops or the distance from one stop to the next I'm going to base my comments on the low speed travel aspect.

Around here the boxes are 40-60' apart, the max speed between the boxes would be rather low so I'd say that a manual transmission in first gear would be the way to go. Of course, on the highway using second or third to get the speed would be required. By using first gear the amp draw would be a lot less for the stop and go. Plus a light foot on the throttle would help too.

I think that the idea has merits but a smaller, lighter weight vehicle might be better suited.

FatBoy

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O'Zeeke

· #8 · May 14, 2008

Hey bontemps, try this formula since you probably know what your gas mileage was from before. I think only applies to flooded lead and DC motors and no regen. Just plug in the #'s to figure out how much lead you need then go from there

http://www.diyelectriccar.com/forums/showthread.php/rough-idea-expected-range-13568.html

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Bontemps

Discussion Starter · #9 · May 15, 2008

I can't do much with that formula since I have no idea what battery weight that I will be looking at. I do find it funny that my 2004 Escape weighs more than the 1990 CV wagon, and there are EC kits just for the escape, but nothing for the wagon. LOL!

Right now, I am kicking myself for having the old 1997 Subaru Legacy RHD mail wagon towed off after a rod bearing spun out on it when my son was driving it. Minimum was 4K to get it fixed, just couldn't spring for it so started using the Escape which we had purchased recently before that. The Legacy would have been a terrific Electric car.

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