10 A Convenient Response to an Inconvenient Truth

[aForkandaSpoon]

Florescents are way over-rated

[MrJanaRobi]

that's a fact Jack right on !

[themadscientist13]

Good points all sir. Thank you for ding the build, thank you for detailing it in a no-nonsense manner, and thank you for cutting through the BS spread through the politically green.

[beatlemicah]

Ok, if I could do what you've done, I'd be a happy 57 year old guy. I might consider using a widebody speedster however.

[marionrickard]

@beatlemicah A widebody would work very well I would think. You should be happy. You should have an electric Speedster.

Jack

[SeedMayers]

Thank you for this great video. Im making a sort of my own projekt to convert my car into a electric. It is a "Family Wagon", quite big. Im searcing for a way to expand the charge of the bateries with solar energy combined with wind energy. The surface of the car is so big it could easy provide 4 square meters of solar surface. 95% of all the day time my car stands outside and could charge it self for free. Im not aiming for a selfsustaining system but it can replenish a quite bit of energy.

[thoughtchallenge]

Really, quite inspiring.

[toussantlbisso]

I Say old man ! Jolly Good Show !...... You are certainly no slouch with the numbers either ! Rather puts things in their Proper perspective I'd say ! Great looking auto you made Mr.Rickard .And your video production was also Spot on ! Next Car?

[marionrickard]

Thank you. See our videos on the 2009 Mini Cooper Clubman, and Speedster Part DUH.

Jack Rickard

[Porkonfork]

Thanks Jack. Well done and keep up the good work. The sooner we go electric, the better.

From downunder

(heaps of sunlight going to waste)

[RIPPERTON]

Jack Rickard is the EV professor and these 10 videos are THE EV University.

The sheer depth and comprehensiveness of his research and experience mean this is all you ever need to know about EV's.

Thanks Jack

[fireofenergy]

Thank you very much!

I was searching "lifepo4 and cold", I didn't know I can leave my little such flashlight batteries in the 15F nights (Big Bear, CA). I'm trying to make the "world's most efficient solar light" and sure enough, it has a Cree Q5. Now, though, there's the XPG R5 putting out 130 lumens per watt.

I wish I had the resources to convert my F-350 let alone the lights!

It is really pleasing to know that people really do still care beyond the norm...

Wish I could see this on Discovery

[zeblezeb]

Hi from Belgium ! the end of this video is very well made, it really encourages you the start your own project, and also makes you realize how our governments must be hold by their nuts.

[atgmam]

Jack, I stumbled upon your videos while doing research on my on electric car project. After watch your series I have more enthusiasm than ever to continue. I would like your link to a better video. Thanks for the well made videos.

[UTubeGlennAR]

Vary interesting, I watched all ten, thank you for all your time it takes to share it with us.....

Glennnnnnn

Ps Respectfully I point out that you have vary poor break lights on your 356, IMHO, your 356 deserves the best of every thing at the least........

[marionrickard]

Thanks Markster. But actually we have bigger plans than Discovery Channel - more like Internet channel. IF you check out our web site, the 10 segments you just watched are available in one higher resolution movie, larger, more detailed, with better sound, using a better server and a better player. And you can download it and keep it for later use or review.

We're kind of moving away from Youtube. I would give you a link (if they'd let me) and give you better video (if they'd let me).

[MarksterInFL]

Thanks for the great series Jack. I also watched all 10 and took notes. Your command of facts and figures is impressive...as is your presentation and conversions. I won't be surprised when I see you on the Discovery channel.

Cheers!

[bluestonecinema]

I watched all ten videos in their entirety and I am impressed.

I have wanted to build an electric LiFePo car for years... I just don't have the $ resources. I glad to see you did it and with such attention to detail. Bravo! Well done!

[lightningcount123]

desecration

do an ev conversion on a suzuki swift but not a speedster!

[AlohaEnergy]

It's a fiberglass replica not an original !

[stsgabe]

well, very well spoken except for the last two words anyway,, what was that  Jack,, " until next time.. stand "?"

[marionrickard]

Stay on the road?

Jack

[stsgabe]

Excellent series, very well spoken, directed and edited--found a link to it looking up the Net-gain Warp 9,, I wonder what an entry level estimate would be to build one--one less exotic than a 57 speedster that is

[erroneus]

Thanks for your efforts Mr. Rickard, excellent video series.

Very inspiring words! Awesome way to finish an episode.

I feel warm hearted by this because I agree that this is so important, I already created an electric car (started last year), without a garage, tool shed, by myself and with very little money/resources. Hopefully I can get a job in the EV industry and keep changing the world for the better :D

[marionrickard]

Excellent Ford Ranger project Joel, and done on a remarkable budget. You're in my army now buddy.

Jack Rickard

[Timcat35]

Excellent series Jack! I watched each episode absolutely glued to my computer. Thanks for all the wonderful information. I've been working on my conversion for about 5 months now and hope to have it on the road in just a couple more. When people ask me why I'm converting a perfectly good BMW Z3 to electric, I explain it much the same way you have. Now, in addition, I can just point them to your videos. Thanks again!

[marionrickard]

I've looked at the Z3 and thought to myself what a great electric car that would make. Tell it will be "perfectly better" when you can accelerate continuously at full torque from zero to 70 and without a sound.

Jack

[monkgway]

thanks for your hard job making this car and a video series!

[digitsync2]

Cool video! Good ending, You got to be in the White house making the policy.

[marionrickard]

Thanks. I'd rather be in the red house making electric car.

[mrexon]

I am a "Jack Rickard" myself

I my self am pushing electrics in racing...

I may not have a lot of cash to do it with so I stick with L-EV's lately....I have already beaten gas bikes 2x the power of my electrics and well you have to see peoples faces when that happends....it is a joy and a lifestyle

I just found your channel

[marionrickard]

You certainly appear to be. You like short bikes I see. Very nice stuff.

Jack

[mrexon]

thanks

[unixtm]

Jack, I am VERY impressed with this video - by far the BEST I have seen, and not just because you used a WarP motor ;) I would like to link to it from our web site with your permission, and I am recommending that everyone here watch it.

You might be interested in our new 11HV motor (regen) and controllers - call me sometime!

George Hamstra

President

NetGain Motors, Inc.

[marionrickard]

You may link at will. We have full length and larger screen versions at our website at evtv.me - and you can download them.

I would like to know more about your 11HV and I will call you.

Glad you enjoyed the series.

Jack Rickard

[pepperflo]

great info,  im doing it also...pepper

[Anothercoilgun]

War is about money. Those who watch from the side plan from the side and profit from the side lines all the while hidden from sight.

[japanet160]

Simply the best EV video around. Thanks for the detailed explanations. I find that is what's most lacking in other video posts. Usually people just want to show off what they've done without any clear and detailed explanations for those of us who want to join in the fun. Thanks again.

[marionrickard]

Well, this is actually done in the rather specific hope to inspire you to join in the fun. A conversion is solving a series of little problems. Information and products are readily available. And if a small number of people actually do these conversions, it will indeed change the world. You can do it.

[jozeftiso]

Hello Jack,

This is a exccelent idea for change of world..!! Wonderful car and videos.

I have VW-Karmann Ghia '73.

I am going to start make conversion to E car. Now I have inspiration..

Jack,could you give me some advice,please?

It's my pleasure to see yours videos.

Sincerely,

Jan

[marionrickard]

Then you're part of the army. Go, and change the world.

And if you want to change about 30 incandescent light bulbs to compact flourescent, you drive for FREE.

By the way, I've mentioned in a number of EV forums that you RC helicopter guys are WAY out in front in Lithium battery management. A smaller scale yes, but with the hard lessons already learned, and equally valid to electric cars.

[AndY1ksi]

Exactly :-)

- Hard (personal) lesson No.1: Never discharge LiPo below 20% or it will swell, reduce capacity and increase internal resistance

- Hard (personal) lesson No.2: Don't charge when LiPo is still hot. Cooling of the battery pack to as close as 25 degreees Celsius before charging is highly recommended

- For maximum lifetime, don't charge them above 90%-95% (as you mentioned)

Batteries have advanced and gotten much cheaper in last 2 years.

5Ah, 22.2V (6 cell) LiPo cost 250 EUR back then.

[AndY1ksi]

Oh yeah, another thing. I highly recommend a cell balancer.

You mentioned, that from 3.0V-3.6V range, your cells are very close in voltage, but at above 3.6V, the Voltage difference is increasing. This is an indication of cell charge capacity imbalance. As you already mentioned, there's not much difference in the 3.0-3.6V range. That's because voltage increases very slowly in that range.

You will get cell capacity imbalance for a various reasons. One of them is cell temperature.

[AndY1ksi]

Inner cells are usually warmer then the outer cells. Cell imbalance will increase with each charge/discharge cycle.

RC fliers balance cells whenever we charge. Ok, we discharge at 15+C and charge at 1C, but there is an imbalance, even when only 3 cells in string are used.

My RC friend, who knows a lot about batteries, recommended me a Shulze balancer.

If I ever convert my Vectrix from NiMH to LiPo, I will use a balancer.

Don't let this lesson get learned 'the hard way' :-)

[AndY1ksi]

"Then you're part of the army..."

Yep, I'm already doing it. I've gotten myself on TV, newspaper. and web newspapers.

I'm not a seller. My profession is software developer. My father is an electrical engineer and he taught me so much about electricity.

Everywhere I go, people stop me and wonder: "Is this electrical? How is it possible?". And I give each and every one of them a long lecture, very much like yours in the videos.

People are just not aware of possibilities. I open their eyes.

[AndY1ksi]

Wow!!!

This is the greatest knowledge base documentary I've ever seen. You should get it on Discovery or any documentary TV.

It combines everything I know about a Remote Control electric helicopter I fly, knowledge about the batteries and items required to get it running, batteries, charging, discharging and Vectrix - electric maxi scooter I drive each day to work and back. Even my girlfriend drives with me and we drive cleanly, efficiently and cheap.

I applaud to you!!!

[derekwsn]

THIS IS A GREAT VIDEO!!!!!!!!!!!

[jobfromdayone]

Hello Jack,

Bravo on the video that you and your team created. I actually learned a lot about the numbers that easily influence me to convert from gas to electric. Thank you for inspiring me, Jack. I changed my light bulbs last year but you just changed my future. There is an electric car driving down the road in it now and I'm at the wheel. Thanks again.

Sincerely,

Joe B

[marionrickard]

Excellent. My work is done then. My theory is that if people knew about these vehicles, they would want one. After having one, you'll start to get angry that nobody has brought this up while you were waiting in line at the gas station.

One thing I didn't cover well in the video. In addition to everything else, you will find driving FUN again.

Jack

[CleanMPG]

Hi Jack:

A wonderful series and thank you...

Wayne Gerdes - Owner/Admin CleanMPG

[evric2008]

Fantastic series of videos. Good on you Jack.

[marionrickard]

Thanks. Video is a bit of a new thing for me. We're learning.

Jack

[marionrickard]

Do it. I REALLY don't have that much mechanical ability. We took things a step at a time. And worked on it regularly.  There's plenty of info, some of it even accurate, on the web.

[rk2hott]

wow! great video. wealth info of everthing relevent on ev's. I am a teacher in florida. i plan on building my own ev car this year using lithium batteries.