Gav's EV Conversion 7 - Buying the Motor

[electro5]

In sweden we pay around 2 USD a liter ;)

[urbex2007]

$1.59? In the UK we are now paying the equvalent of $10 per gallon. Diesel is more expensive. So you're lucky! If only there was a decent electric car on sale that wasn't heavy or with limited power and range. GM are doing one but it has a max range of 40miles on a charge and is only about 50BHP equivalent when compared to a petrol engines car - so dangerous for trying to use on a motorway.

Expensive to charge too - so I will be sticking with 70MPG on diesel for now.

[2013andBeyonD]

There is this Israeli inventor who invented a mini solar panel (about 20cm by 20cm) that can generate 1500W in full sunlight. Buy 40 of these, install them on the roof of ur car and you dont even need to use electricity from ur home.

[cant7think7clearly]

Holy cow, that sounds awesome, maybe even too awesome to be true. Are they available for sale online?

[2013andBeyonD]

I have not checked if he already sells the product, but here in this CBC news program, he is showing the product watch?v=pXyJrFKwjrc

[peace0ff]

a german and swede has done this 2 years ago.

[khrisinfo]

The Electric motor. online?

[HemonDey]

Did you have to get a loan from the bank?

[cant7think7clearly]

Yeah mate, I've borrowed money for the motor, then the controller, then the batteries. It hurt but I've almost paid them all off! It's been a real conversion on a budget that's for sure. :)

[HemonDey]

I really admire your dedication, and watching closely to your results for LVV? certification. It was what stopped me from trying initially (ie. 12K is a lot to spend on something you can't officially drive) - however knowing somebody who has had success and basing my conversion closely on yours would give me more assurance.

[marsL001]

dudes i love what your doing (a lot)

been watching al ur videos

keep up the good work

greetzzz

marsl001

the netherlands

;-)

[DSINKS]

Pretty Cool man. I have watched all the vids.

Have you Been keeping a detailed list of all parts to do your conversion? Do you have a website detailing any of the conversion?

Thanks for the vids. I Cannot wait for the next one!

[HierPower]

couldnt you have found a used motor with a bit more digging to save cash and just replace the brushes or whatnot to make it good as new?

[cant7think7clearly]

I would have loved to do that but motors for EV's are impossible to find here. I figured if I'm gonna spend all the money and freight getting a motor from the USA I may as well buy a new one with a warranty.

[gamecarnivor]

your petrel is cheaper than ours :( right now its 2.95 a gal

[archmaille]

No it's not... USA has much cheaper gas than they do. It's only $2.65 a gal here (in missouri) it was nearly $6 a gallon there... you gotta remember they're talking in liters ;-) Just do the math that he got 3.3 gallons with $20

[evrimv]

Ah yea, because you war for it...

[archmaille]

That really doesn't have anything to do with it... this recent war has caused gas prices to go up dramatically. USA uses more gas than anybody else. I was just replying to GameCarnivor who said that their gas was cheaper.

[cant7think7clearly]

It's not that I'm reluctant to spend money - far from it! The problem is that I really don't have any!

It's a financial miracle that I'm using a 9" motor and a 144 volt system as it is as I couldn't really afford these either (as you can see by the visit to the bank!).

[terrorist420x]

It's getting your car on the road though, and I imagine you'll have yours functional well before mine is. EV economics are different in the U.S. because gas prices are lower, and for an EV to save money for me specifically, I have to be very picky about component selection. Your goals in using an EV are different than mine. Best of luck. Your car will still serve as inspiration to many, and New Zealand is a perfect location for EVs to proliferate.

[MetroBogan]

Lol "Petrol lights on" that was cute :)

[cant7think7clearly]

The thing is, whether I spend $1500 or $15,000 on a conversion, there will always be well meaning advice telling me to get a more expensive this & that, and if I don't then I'll regret it.

While I appreciate constructive comments I can't stress enough that I'm on a serious budget.

[natey1112]

nice thanks for complamenting my state!! hope the project goes well!

[cant7think7clearly]

I bought it from EV America located in some place called "NH" in the USA.

They seem like a good bunch, the prices are cheap and they have no waiting list for the motor either!

[GOTTshua]

New Hampshire.

Their state motto is "Live free or die."

Located in the northeast, close to Canada. Good folks up there.

[ripperarn]

OK so where are you buying the motor from?

[cant7think7clearly]

I used to own a V8 Toyota Soarer (known as a Lexus SC400 in the USA I think) which I liked, but filing it up drove me nuts so I know what you mean. You should definitely find a small car and start a conversion mate! For sure!

[phsouzabr]

Hey, thanks for making and uploading these videos. It was just what I was looking for. I'm studying electrical engineering, and I currently drive a gas guzzling V8 SUV. It's driving me insane. I'm planning on buying a "dead" small car, like a civic, and converting it to electric over summer. Your vids really get me excited and hopeful about it. Keep it up!

[cant7think7clearly]

I originally planned to convert a Mitsubishi Mirage (Dodge Colt/Plymouth Champ) as I used to own one.

They're lightweight cars - which is good.

They're a bit too small though - which is bad.

For the more observant viewers it explains the Dodge Colt "Haynes" manual that keeps popping up in the videos. :)

[caa1000]

My mom use to drive a Colt 1979. I don't see those anywhere in the USA.

[cant7think7clearly]

Ahh good question. It'll be a 144 Volt car (12 x 12V) using an Advanced DC FB4001A motor and a Cafe Electric Zilla Z1k (really cool) Controller. I'd like to have 6 batteries in the front and 6 in the back - I think I can get away with it too.

[terrorist420x]

You using flooded batteries, or have you changed your mind and decided on AGMs to give it some oomph? The Z1k is an excellent controller and even with flooded batteries, you'd have no trouble smoking your tires from a stop. But if you want to make use of the Zilla's performance capabilities, you need powerful batteries.

[cant7think7clearly]

Still going with the flooded batteries and the Curtis controller too at this stage. As you can imagine, I'd love the Zilla and AGM's but money is in short supply.

I understand the performance will suffer but I have no choice. :(

[terrorist420x]

If I were using floodies, I'd stick with the Curtis anyway. Why? A Zilla wouldn't shave much off your 0-60 time with floodies, even if it allowed the tire smoking from a start. Even with a low power Curtis, if using floodeds, your batteries will basically be the limiting factor in performance. Also, avoid 12V floodies if you can; they often have reliability issues. Use 6V Trojan T105s for a 144V pack, if you can fit such a monster pack in.

[cant7think7clearly]

Oh mate if only I could afford 6V batteries I would! The power and distance they allow is almost twice that of 12V flooded batts. Sadly, once again I'm limited by budget otherwise you bet! I'd have that Zilla and 6V bats all the way!

[terrorist420x]

Don't expect your first pack to last very long. 12V flooded batteries usually don't do well if more than 250A are demanded of them, so if you step on the gas real hard with a 400A Curtis, you risk permanently damaging them. Do what you need to do to get it on the road, and when you kill the first pack, perhaps you'll have money to upgrade to something better and more reliable. What you don't want is to be paying $0.20 USD per mile in battery costs, as that would defeat the purpose of an EV!

[tooomp]

Thanks for posting this. This is exactly what the world needs right now. I am very curious about the next part. Could you tell us a little about your decisions in terms of selecting a vehicle and other factors which are related to battery and motor layouts.

[ripperarn]

Hey do you know if hybrid batteries, nickel metal  hybrid, could be somehow be hooked up to a regular battery electric car?

[cant7think7clearly]

Thanks for the encouragement mate, glad you like the vids! The 8th video isn't ready yet but watch this space.

Should be uploaded in about a week I'm guessing.

[genius512]

Hey! that videos are awesome! How can I watch 8th part and so far parts?

[cant7think7clearly]

Glad you like the vids! It's been a lot of fun making them that's for sure. So far the budget is up to about $2400 US - and a quarter of that is just freight costs!

[matrixm777]

thanks for posting these videos. it's encouraging to see. how much has this cost so far if you don't mind me asking? i would like to follow in your steps.

[cant7think7clearly]

Not sure exactly but if I had enough cash, it'd be finished within a month! Realistically it should be done within 6 months. Although now I've probably jinxed it. :)

[riverheadrider69]

When will the car be finished???

[cant7think7clearly]

We use skype for calling my fiance's parents in Europe and a mate of mine in the USA but I never even thought of using it for a skype-to-phone call. Good thinking!

[coreymon77]

have you tried out "skype" to make your international calls? i live in toledo ohio usa and i have used it to call as far away as the Ukraine. it is cheaper than regular phone companies. (i do not work for skype) keep up the good work!