First test drive of my Electric Car conversion

[smhorse]

Is it my imagination, or are the speedometer and tachometer not working in this video?

[ev99saturn]

@smhorse Not your imagination. Good observation! I did not set up the tach in the Saturn. The speedometer was not working at first, but fixed that later. The problem was a missing ground wire that used to be on the engine block, and without it, the computer would not power up, which is what drives the speedometer.

[TheManInDboX]

I love that all the EV conversions online are Stick shift, but then all the NEW cars are automatic.. Seems like the US auto manufacturer has missed the bus..

[experimental0000]

awesome conversion man, keep up the good work

[ev99saturn]

acceleration was only fair, and top speed was above 80mph. This car has been sold and I have started building a much faster one. See my other videos. Thanks.

[saleenguy57]

how fast



[64Daniel64Maverick64]

And then.. it rains.. ;)

[jerrysjunk]

how did you manage to keep the 5 speed transmission did you have to do anything to the motor to  not over load the thrust washer on the anatuer

[ev99saturn]

The electric motor was mounted on the 5 speed bell housing with a custom made adapter plate. The motor driveshaft uses a tapered coupling to grip the shaft and allow for fine adjustment, the flywheel is mounted to the flange end of the tapered coupling. The fine adjustment allows the flywheel/clutch to be positioned such that there minimal axial loading against the motor's shaft.

[lea1mercian]

nice home, cool car

[SirTragain]

What did you need to do for Insurance, Registration, and State Inspection for Maine?

[ev99saturn]

Registration was normal, although it was the first electric car that my town ever registered. Inspection was normal, although it failed the first time because I had a headlight out!

My Insurance company hesitated to insure it, but decided to because I have a background in electrical engineering. Also they would only provide liability insurance but not collision. I expect that this would vary from one insurance company to the next.

[SirTragain]

Great job; I live in Portland and want to build one so bad. I would love to check your EV out some time.

My comute to work takes 10 min with 40MPH being the highest posted speed limit with 35MPH being most of it but I can't see buying an NEV.

[UberWagen]

What's the output of that motor you're using?

[ev99saturn]

The motor is a 9" diameter DC motor from Advanced DC. I think that it will make about 85 HP peak with my current pack voltage. Higher voltage would be higher hp. Also, according to a chart from ADC, it looks like 120 ft/lbs of torque at my pack voltage.

[ferraridriver16]

Warp ImPulse?

[egn83b]

Why are electric car rides more?

[ev99saturn]

More what? I am not sure what you are asking...

More fun? because they're so quiet and you never have to buy gasoline.

More money? Home conversions are less than the cost of new cars.

[ferraridriver16]

Awesome! And what a perfect choice of car! The EV1 was sold through saturn

[ev99saturn]

I don't know if it was Saturn that provided the EV1, but they were not sold, they were only leased. When the program ended, they took them all back and destroyed them because there "was no demand for electric cars". I believe that there was plenty of demand, but the oil companies rule, and saw a major decline in demand coming with electrics. If you have not already watched it, check out "Who Killed The Electric Car?" videos on YouTube. It is very revealing.

[ferraridriver16]

i know! i own the DVD! and sorry, i meant to say "leased" but according to records, the EV1 was considered a branch off of GM's Saturn division. So, again, excellent choice for a conversion! I'm considering converting my own car soon. It will definitely be worth the labor. Gas prices are going up again. I spent $200 just this month!

[JohnCBriggs]

Congratulations on a job well done.

[evric2008]

Great video Wayne.

Have you made any other videos in the conversion process?

I can't wait to get my car finished now.

Ric

[ev99saturn]

Thanks Ric. I have one other video that I will post that provides a tour of the EV's components. Best of luck on completing yours!

Wayne