Electric VW Beetle Conversion Details

[AZPONG]

Any Plans to add solar cells to your ride, for regeneration purposes?

[keyhole7i]

@AZPONG ... I do not believe I can get enough solar panels attached to the car to provide enough power to charge my batteries. My range is 25 to 30 miles and I can plug in, recharge in 6 hours so I don't think solar panels are the way to go for my application.

[MPaulHolmes]

Dude, you are linked on foxnews.

[panyolito1929]

hello sir key, i;m planning a same project that you did in your beatle electric car but i need a electrical wiring diagram same that you did. if you dont mined can you send it to me the wiring diagram to my email add and this my email panyolito_1929@yahoo.com thank you sir hope you share it to me the diagram.

and have a good job sir.

[serchmarc]

good job.im gonna do that too,but now im super broke not even to buy a bug..maybe in a few years,and i know electronics i think that can help me a little but i m gonna try to find a person who knows about electricity cause as far i know its all about the potentiometer right?is like the gas pedal,good job again 

[keyhole7i]

@serchmarc Thanks!!! and good luck on your bug...

[ixtlau]

came on.... ofcurse its an exellent car....especially because we wont see you spending money at the gas station. thaks for the info

[keyhole7i]

@ixtlau Thanks !!!

[crazzzin]

it will not work because we did not see it in the clip ;)

[joni9780]

@crazzzin check the vw green bus conversion, 75 mph+ in a 1973 vw minibus with big lead batteries

[kah00na]

Can you drive this in the rain? With the ventilation in the rear hood, I would think water would get in there.

[keyhole7i]

@kah00na I do not let the rain stop me. I drive my car back and forth to work 5 days a week and sometimes I get caught in the rain. I have some hard plastic covering my vents so I am able to keep the rain out of the engine compartment. I made a "driving in the rain" video so everyone could see me driving while it was raining. Thanks for the comment.

[omgsean1]

Chevy volt is mess up but they think its all electric car but i know its hybrid because info of volt is fail i cant remember

[MrXaborus]

Hehe, the funny part is that your clueless that this bug could be easily made into a HOTROD.

Look up "volksrod". You could have an electric hotrod :D

[oliverburke]

An example of a very good, simple demo (wide angle of car, close in on all major parts), and very nice, warm accent.

Few people present their creations this well.

Helps with such an organized layout too!

[keyhole7i]

@oliverburke Thanks Ollie...liked the electric bike. I have been thinking about making my next project a bike.

[sotohj]

Very nice job! I like the setup. I'm thinking of maybe do this to my 69 Beetle.

[keyhole7i]

@sotohj -- Thanks! A 69 Beetle EV will be nice. Good Luck!

[TimKGrimes]

You started on May 5th, and finished in July... and GM started in 1996, then quit.

You're better than GM!

[keyhole7i]

@TimKGrimes Thanks!!!

[keyhole7i]

Thanks, they have serverd me well. As of 10/10/09 I have driven over 9200 miles and recharged the batteries over 400 times

[keyhole7i]

I have removed and installed VW engines several times over the years so it only takes me about 45 minutes to remove the engine. The transaxle remains in the car. The conversion started on May 5, 2008 and I drove the car for the first time July 18, 2008. I have driven over 4500 miles so far.

[keyhole7i]

I use 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gears. Depends on the speed. Have not kept it in one gear for a full charge. 7 hours to charge the batteries. More batteries would mean more voltage which means more power and range but more weight. The car is already 760 lbs heavier than stock. Did not notice any flex. If I were to go with more batteries I would use a Chevy truck. Thanks

[keyhole7i]

The kit, wire, wood, and misc items totaled about $5000. The batteries were $1450. The reason for the VW Bug is because I already owned it. I have had the car for 4 or 5 years. Temperature affects the batteries. Summertime I get around 28 30 miles per charge driving 0 60 MPH. Winter I can get about 14 18 miles driving 0 50.

[keyhole7i]

Thank You !

[TheArchieBell]

Not a pretty car? Its a work of art! Beautifully assembled clearly laid out.Can I ask where you sourced your Motor contactors Speed control etc.Thanks for an incredibly inspiring video!

[keyhole7i]

Thank you for the comp. I purchased a kit from Electric Vehicles of America. It had all the components I mentioned in the video. Thanks again...

[unixmansira]

yes!! :)

[keyhole7i]

I did a search for Electric Vehicles Potentiometer Speed Controller and found a couple. The one I use came as part of a kit I ordered.

[unixmansira]

any website for speedcontrols??????

[keyhole7i]

Are you referring to the pot box which is a Potentiometer Speed Controller?

[keyhole7i]

I have thought about more batteries but that means an additional expense for batteries and charger. 96 volts gets me back and forth to work which is why I built this car.

The batteries only put off a gas while charging. I cannot drive the car while the batteries are charging so I do not have fumes while driving.

[kaduisaui]

Awesome video! Great information. Will you add more batteries for extended range at some point? Also, do the batteries create fumes?

[malagarcha]

so nice job.

probe extended km using and colecting back emf

for charge batery??

look bedini pulse motor is amazing.

[keyhole7i]

Thanks

[keyhole7i]

Thanks, I appreciate the compliments. I do have a little wood working experience from the past. I used a jigsaw, drill, sander, and miter saw for this project.

You can do the regen but I felt like it was not cost efficient. This is a DC system and the regen works much better with an AC system.

I have had request for more wiring videos. I thought about making a wiring diagram using wood pieced for the components but was not sure if anyone would want that. Thanks again!

[UTubeGlennAR]

One of the MOST informative uTube vids on ANY subject I have ever viewed...... THANK YOU......

AND

Vary nice project indeed.....

Also, Suspect you are a wood worker. I too am a wood guy. Just love 2C all the wood in your project. Not to mention cost of tools to work with wood n the wood it self is relatively inexpensive along with the great insulating properties to boot.

Again, congrats on your great project....

Glennnnnnn

Ps By chance can U re gen break this beauty?

[RiKisssimo]

Great job...!

1.What was the total cost of the conversion?

2.How long did it took you to complete the project?

3.also... why you choose a DC motor instead of an AC motor...!?

[keyhole7i]

Thanks! DC motor, controller, contactors, DC DC Converter, and pot box plus the adaptor plate, motor coupling, battery charger, gages, fuses, wire, connectors, battery box material, air shocks, and other misc odds and ends - about $5000. 96 Volt battery pack was $1450 - includes deposit. Started May 5, 2008 and drove it July 18, 2008 7 weeks. Why a DC motor over an AC motor? Cost. AC motors operate at high rpm that have to be stepped down, and have expensive and complex speed control systems.

[xmykro]

what's your top speed and range? thanks.

[keyhole7i]

On a fresh charge I can maintain 60 mph on a flat and level road for a few miles. Last night, lights on, I drove to work on I-75 and going down hill I reached 70 mph and uphill 50 mph. I exited I-75 running 55 mph after 23 miles. I parked at work and had traveled 23.7 miles. My state of charge gage was on 2% charge remaining. I believe I could have gone maybe 2 more miles. I am on my 38th charge and my mileage continues to increase. I hope to get 30 miles by the 60th charge.