EV conversions?

[machinemaker]

I keep thinking and kicking around the idea of doing an electric vehicle conversion. Something for the short trips down the mountain. Has anyone else out there had any thoughts about doing this? Sites that you have seen dealing with conversions? donor vehicles?
Thanks
kent

[chrisser]

I've thought about it off and on for several years.

Personally, the amount of time, effort and $$ doesn't seem worth it for me for a short-range grocery getter.

None of the components are cheap, and when you amortize the gas cost savings over the life of the batteries, even at today's gas prices, the math just doesn't make sense to me when you consider the range limitations.

Now, if you were going to build a hybrid-electric, that would be a different story.


Just MHO. If you're interested in it, by all means go for it.

This is one of the best sites I've found as far as a step-by-step overview. http://jerryrig.com/convert/

[lostinthewoods]

I've never thought about building a EV car. I have flirted with the idea of a solar powered tractor. MEN wrote an article a few years back (before I saw the light) on building one. They made the point that most electric motors are better used in an application like a tractor would submit the motor to. I can;t remember their reasoning but it seemed very sound at the time.

That's just me.

lost

that's a cool site

[turboRC]

Easy conversion is to buy an electric fork-lift. Put everything in a small car like a metro. Comes with speed control and almost everything you need. You have to make a motor plate for your transmission.

[machinemaker]

turboRC,
good idea about a forklift for parts. I see old electric forklifts at auction go fairly cheaply. As a machinist I figure that I have the mechanical side down, but feel a bit weak on the electronic side when it comes to controls. I have read a bit about usining AC motors and using verialble frequency drives, similar to what I use for industrial drives. What I realy want is something to play with that is good for my wifes commute to her office. Its only about 30 miles round trip but a 2000' elevation change, but mostly fairly low speeds on mountain roads.
kent

[turboRC]

machinemaker it wasn't my idea. I seen the conversion on www.youtube.com. Thanks Chris

[turboRC]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=RBQWXyxSTyU watch here and build!

[wy0mn]

Someday, if the world holds together, I'd like to convert an ultralite PU (Chevy Luv?) to electric.
Room in the bed for batteries and a tonneau PV arrangement. Maybe even a drive-on mast like some radio (HAM) enthusiasts use; except instead of an antenna I'd have a wind jenny for parked recharging.

[bennelson]

Electric conversions are great in a lot of ways.

They are powerful and inexpensive to operate, and are actually much simpler than gasoline powered systems.

Hills are murder though on battery powered electric systems. You also have pretty short range with electric, although you can recharge almost everywhere. You can also buy or generate your electricity from renewable sources.

I built an electric motorcycle last summer. It was just a crummy old frame with a broken engine and transmission. I bought the motor used and the controller and batteries new. Works great - nice and quiet.

There are lots of people building electric vehicles from junked out forklifts. There are a couple, including a Geo Metro listed on a page called Ecomodder.comhttp://www.ecomodder.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=10 in their "Fossil Free" section of the forum.

For out in the country, an electric tractor or riding mower makes plenty of sense.

There are lots of people doing electric conversions. Off-the-shelf golfcart technology makes it easy, or take apart an old forklift, golfcart, or other defunct electric vehicle.

[Ophir]

A PHEV is what you want. basically a Hybrid with bigger batteries that can be plugged in each night for a 60 mile "on battery" range the next day. If you derive your power from the sun or waterhead, then so much the better. The Toyota ABAT will be on the market soon. It's like a mini, Honda Ridgeline and will be PHEV.

Int he interim, there are a few people converting Toyota Prius' to PHEV. They discuss their issues and success regularly on a mail list found at http://www.eaa-phev.org