#5) Project ForkenSwift electric car: shifting gears

[panyolito1929]

sir how much the top speed of you electric car can you try that in free way ??

[myasskick]

no power steering

[foryoutocallmehaha]

that musics from gran torismo cool.

[bdrman2004]

You guys should be proud of what you have achieved. I really wish that more people showed such a pioneering spirit. And for all that cant, they should learn to recognize it when they see it.

[ForkenSwiftDotCom]

Thanks, bdrman. Appreciate the comment.

[jamzva]

any problen in the rain days??

[ForkenSwiftDotCom]

Nope, no problem in the rain or snow.

[Dongskie2]

Why didn't you use an automatic tranny?

What was the motor you are using?

[ForkenSwiftDotCom]

Automatic transmissions will reduce range compared to a manual (because of the slip in the torque converter). Maybe 5-10% less. It doesn't sound like a lot, but ever kilometer counts when you have limited range.

[Dongskie2]

@ForkenSwiftDotCom: oh I was thinking you may remove the torque converter and directly couple the electric moto into the auto tranny main drive shaft.. Thats what I tried...

[wks1978]

Wow. The car may have its limitations but to convert it for so cheap is quite amazing.

All credit to you

[Floridaboy7777]

why did you need 2 cars?

[ForkenSwiftDotCom]

We didn't plan on using two - we gave up on the first one because it turned out to be too rusty underneath. So we got a second car (same kind) and combined all the best parts into one car.

[sixmagpies]

It is only YOU chaps who will, eventually, manage to shame the cynical establishment ('OIL Co', GMC.etc ..and 'their' Government.) into offering appropriate products at a sensible cost ..... a technology which YOU have proven is quite possible as it's already here. Keep fighting the good fight.

"Evil prevails when good men do nothing". Well done ... gentlemen.

[Enoch5939]

can you do better???

[bink182rock]

I HAVE done better so you can fuck off.

[sixmagpies]

Yes, you most certainly are sir.

[TheClemsonDude]

Its a hell of a lot better than the gas-powered piece of shit that you drive!!!

[bogdanp9]

Are the batteries charging when you're moving ( and in gear ) but not pushing the pedal ?

[EcoModderDOTcom]

You're talking about "regenerative coasting/braking" - this car doesn't have it.

[ZenonDorinPower]

it's not so hard,you should have it- when you push the brake for 1-2 cm, the motor would be connected throw 2 diodes to batteries,so the motor will only charge the batteries because the diodes won't allow the batteries to power the motor.if you need an emergency brake,after 1-2cm of pushing,the disk-brake system will do its job.sorry for my bad english

[Subspace4d]

You can make regeneration by useing the motor-Batry wires and putting them threw rectifier back to battery. Its that easy man.

[rickeygottheblues]

why could you not put the electric power on the back wheels and leave the gas engine considering those are 50 miles per gallon cars

[cant7think7clearly]

That was well done, the display onb the right gave a good example of how you change gear in a clutchless EV.

It almost looked like a video game from back here. I kept trying to turn your car with my keyboard. :)

[Boeing227]

Hey that is one sweetass project you have there. I love it it is truely awesome!

But I am just wondering though, do you think an electric motor for a car could possibly hook up to a regular car's 3, 4, 5, or 6 speed automatic transmission w/OD or say a tiptronic transmission w/OD ? Is it possible? Thanks in advance.

[ForkenSwiftDotCom]

It is possible, and some people have done it. But you'll lose some range - maybe 5-10% depending on the design.

[n2confusion]

i did a geo with an auto check my vids to see how the coupler and motor mate up.

[theranch]

Nice work. Next video cut out the music and long intro.

[MstrJames]

Inspiration!

Me and my friend are also looking at converting a car - we're still on the look out for a light enough car though.

How did you get it insured? What company, and did they cut you a deal or put you at high risk?

Thanks!

[ForkenSwiftDotCom]

For insurance help, best to find an EV owner in your area. Check in the evalbum -dot- com. You can search by country/state/province.

[n2confusion]

check out progressive they will insure an ev i had to call and talk to a supervisor

[buzzclark]

Interesting. So then this is sort of like driving a 3 speed automatic, only that you have to listed and be in tune with the motor to be able to know when to shift - correct?? Thank you. sincerely, JAMES.

[EcoModderDOTcom]

That's pretty much it, James.

[peterp696]

You're driving through Brockville?

[EcoModderDOTcom]

Yup.

[kc03300]

how did you mount the electric motor to the transmission?

[danieladamko]

sounds like a tram

[kimmer6]

I had some American made military DC generators that ran anti personnel radar sets in Viet Nam. They were ultra conmpact Briggs&Stratton PMG generators in a sound proof box. The engine was rated 2HP and output was 36vdc, 25 amps 900 watts. These used 1 gallon of fuel in 10 hours. Seems you could run one under the hood while you were away shopping and let it recharge. Look up kimmer6 on youtube and check out "Shoot it, Briggs and stratton". I might have 1 or 2 left...without bullet holes.

[ForkenSwiftDotCom]

But if we wanted a fossil fuel powered car, we would have just left the working gas engine in it! :) Seriously, for this car, in the small city where it's used, the range (even on worn out used batteries) is just fine.

[kimmer6]

Uhhhh, when you plug it in you are still fossil fueled. Really cool and off the grid would be solar or wind powered. Hey, you could build a Nuke in your shop and recharge it with that! Plans online available from North Korea! Build a bomb in 3 years or less too! Fine work you did and I'm impressed that you had the ability to make it work. Keep up the good work!

[kimmer6]

You have Good Old Canadian Craftsmanship. We used to be known for something called American Ingenuity down here. That was long ago. Now nobody here knows how to change out a bad light switch (or put air in a tire). Hey, any chance of sending me a Swift GTI engine and tranny? I'm still fossilized. Lol

[ForkenSwiftDotCom]

Actually it's powered by renewable energy - hydroelectric & wind energy provider.  Seriously! North Korea offered some nuke plans, but I've already got too many projects on the go.

[muvico1]

can an auto transmision be posible?

[ForkenSwiftDotCom]

Yes, but you sacrifice some efficiency (range). Roughly 5-10%.

[n2confusion]

see the vids i did with a automatic geo

[demonikelectronik]

hey i looked at the progress and thats pretty impressive for being built on a budget. you said theres no clutch, how come? could you have left the flywheel and clutch mechanism attached. bolted the flywheel to the electric motor and had a functioning clutch? after looking at this im seriously thinking of trying a conversion out myself. great job.

[ForkenSwiftDotCom]

Thanks!

Retaining the clutch is more complicated than a direct connection. EG: You need to ensure the bearings in the motor can take a thrust load from the clutch (not req'd with the direct coupler). And as you can see in the vid, you don't really need a clutch anyway.

[jojuma91]

I like you idea, do you think that you can give us more details about which parts did you use, and if you think that we can build any car, I'm planning to do something like that with a small truck, what do you think ?

[n2confusion]

go with a 9" motor for a truck conversion the motor will be a around $1600+ sh

check out the vids i have done with a mazda

b2200 and a geo with a automatic transmission

[jcwitness]

could you use a flywheel directly attached to the electric motor that had its own mount. That way, when the clutch pressure plate pushes it, the resistance is taken by the independently mounted flywheel (with sealed bearings in housing). The electric motor would just be a 'bolt on' to the mounted flywheel assembly.

[rredd47]

cool car, isn't it kinda cold up there? What do you do for heat to keep you warm while you drive...

[ForkenSwiftDotCom]

Park it in the sun, and wear a coat. :p For defrost: a hair dryer plugged in to household 110 before leaving.

Keep in mind the trips are short enough that there isn't much time to get cold.

[alienmoonbase]

Awesome! Very impressive. It seems like there would be a market for a conversion based on wheel motors. Bolt on wheels motors battery pack kit might simplify the conversion for some.

Leave the engine unchanged and start the car and put it in neutral. This would power the AC/PS, BP, etc.

Maybe a guy could drive to work in idle, but using electric power. Might be a good transition until EVs are in the showrooms. Maybe save some gas

Any thoughts?

[ForkenSwiftDotCom]

Check poulsenhybrid ... d o t ... c o m.

[jojuma91]

I saw the site, but I dont like this idea ,I think all electric it's better

[jojuma91]

Hey, that's good idea, if we can use the engine somehow like a small generator or something, because I think the problem is that with electric cars you need to charge the batteries every certain miles, but if we are able to create some kind of self charging, that will be better. what do you think ?

[RamThisDTO]

I have an 89 Accord LX that Im restoring the body of, and planned to rebuild the 2.0L A20A3 engine in it. But with gas prices becoming outrageous, I had actually considered trying to convert it to electric. My commute is 3 miles lol. It's city driving, stop light to stop light. I'd like to make it capable of a 150 mile round trip though. Can I use the original auto trans, and about how much is the average for converting without going nuts with it? Cool setup BTW!!!!

[ForkenSwiftDotCom]

Why do you need 150 miles range if your commute is 3 miles? Rent or borrow something for the longer trips!

(Plus - the cost of batteries that would permit 150 miles would probably put the project over $20k - guesstimating.)

Depending on how handy/resourceful you are and what kind of performance you want, you could probably do a "commuter" conversion for between $3-6k. Guesstimating again.

[RamThisDTO]

Wow, I thought the range would be better. Right now I'm driving a Dodge Ram 1500 with a 360 V8. I get about 8 MPG city. I only fill up every couple weeks, but now it costs about 90 plus to fill up. That's why I was thinking electric. And wanting 150 mile range, My folks live about 60 miles from here, would be cool if the car were capable of making the trip on one charge, but I guess not huh lol.

[ballpointpen86]

no way is this blockhouse island?

[ForkenSwiftDotCom]

Yup. Doesn't everybody drive around Blockhouse?

[num8racer]

you have done a nice job on your swift I've been watching since you first posted the start of the project. theres a way of using an automatic if you go with rear wheel drive. TCI transmission offers a front pump drive that lets you do away with the torqe converter. on a dirt track car it works super, better than a 4 speed. I've started looking for a donner electric lift truck to part out than maybe put it in an s-10 or something like that.

[captmoe]

good job

can you use the old bell houseing and slave cylnder with the pressure plates to have a clutch for down shift?

i hardly use the clutch in cars anyway other than take off and some down shifting

[ForkenSwiftDotCom]

Yes - retaining the clutch is a fairly popular option for conversions, but I think going clutchless is more common. There are pros & cons of each approach.

[n2confusion]

i have posted a few videos of what i am doing in my project and would like to here what you think. my project is going to be an automatic conversion. i cant seem to find anything on useing an automatic gearbox so i decided to do one myself. i am doing all my own work. i am a hvac technican by trade. i currently work at a chevron refinery on the gulf coast. kind of funny i work where gas is produced but im building an electric automobile.gas is at 3.35 per gallon here and its going to go up.

[n2confusion]

hi darin i have been watching yours and gavins vid's for few months and i started my own project. i was wondering how everything is going. i went to my local court house and stated that i need to change the title to my car and i just got this blank stare from the lady behind the counter. how is the 225amp controler act when you climb a hill. i have a flat level surface except for two bridges that seperate me from my work and my brothers house in the next town over. i just need a 25 mile range.

[ForkenSwiftDotCom]

The 225A controller is no more. It wasn't really practical at 48 volts. We've since installed a 400A unit, which is let's say "adequate" (but still very slow - zero to 50 km/h takes 21 seconds on a fresh charge).

If I were you I'd aim for a 72v pack at the very least. By the sounds of it from your videos, your motor will be able to handle it. 25 miles should be doable, depending on the speeds you want to travel. Good luck!

[123WOWTV]

Hey guy's this is a great accomplishment well done.

Are you selling how to plans or could i get one built from you?

[ForkenSwiftDotCom]

No plans to sell. There are several books out there about how to convert a book to electric power. Several forums as well: evdl -dot- org, and diyelectriccar -dot- com.

[dahuz795]

"There are several books out there about how to convert a book to electric power." LMAO, I just couldn't stand imagining a book with four wheels racing around the house like a R/C, haha. xD But great project guys, I love it! Keep on doing stuff like that!!

[Nichen]

lol you can hear the birds in the background so clearly!

[adric22]

My clutchless EV Talon actually upshifts as smoothly and quickly as if I had a clutch as long as I don't leave it in neutral and give the motor time to spin down. Downshifting is where I have to have a little talent to get the motor revved just right to get it to go in. Nice video.

[ForkenSwiftDotCom]

Hi adric22 - I've watched all your vids :).

You're right - downshifting is the trickier part. I find it slots in nicely if I apply firm pressure towards the gear I want while spinning the motor up.

[drdhdmd]

Very nice job. How did you do the Pedal and Shift indicators?

[ForkenSwiftDotCom]

"Manually." :) They're just images superimposed on the video with the background "blue screened" out.

[hempev]

I have heard the term "silent but deadly" before, but not in connection with EVs!

[DeLorean4]

Of all the EV clips out there on Youtube, this is the most representative one once it comes to driving experience! The ON/OFF and Gear indicators and first person POV really help get a grasp of it all.

[Netwriter]

Could this be done using and automatic trany?

[MPaulHolmes]

electric motors want to run at 3000 to 4500 rpm or something like that, which is faster than an automatic would naturally shift at. That means running at lower efficiency. According to EVDL(dot)com people, it's only about 10% reduction in range. That's not too bad I guess. So, Yes, you can use an automatic tranny.

[ForkenSwiftDotCom]

Automatic EVs have been done. There is a reduction in efficiency/range, as MPaulHolmes points out. I think it's mostly a result of losses in the torque converter, and the fact that some transmissions require the motor to "idle" when the car is stopped to keep fluid pressure up.

[MPaulHolmes]

oops, evdl(dot)org, not com. my bad.

[hobbes32]

Nice!

I noticed you were shifting to Neutral to coast

is there much improvement compared to coasting in gear?

[ForkenSwiftDotCom]

Well, it's not an enormous difference, but it is noticeable. I try to avoid using the brake, and coast in neutral as much as possible to extend range.

[MPaulHolmes]

nice chart i mean. dang electricity. S:)

[MPaulHolmes]

Darin! Hello! Thanks for the post! I was wondering about this, and hoping someone would post something.  Nice little charge there on the right.

[ForkenSwiftDotCom]

Yup, this was filmed last fall in the same week I got most of the footage for video #4. :)

Max speed was probably around 45 km/h just before I shifted to N from 3rd gear.

[landongendur]

Great video! That signal indicator sound is so loud compared to the rest of the car. Shhh! :P It looks like you filmed this video last year as there are still leaves on the trees.

What was the maximum speed that you reached when you were in 3rd gear?