EV Conversion - Automatic Transmission Shifts Itself

So, I want to do a DIY electric vehicle conversion that uses an automatic transmission (A/T) to provide the added torque of gearing without the hassle of shifting by hand.

The first step was to get an automatic transaxle to shift with no gasoline engine attached. To this end, I soldered up a harness, plugged everything in, and it shifts.

I chose the Geo Metro transmission because it is by far the smallest modern automatic available and is essentially fully electronically controlled, so it does not need an engine to operate.

You can see in my other videos that the car now runs and drives with this transaxle attached.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

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• transaxle

[chetsjug]

Note to new EV seekers: When driving a stick EV you can leave it in gear when stopping. You don't even step on the clutch. You'll train your clutch leg to behave a new way. You can put it in 2 for steep hills, 3 for street driving and high gear for freeway. You will only need to shift when the terrain changes, if at all. You could just put it in direct drive if you want. Some take the tranny out and use a direct coupling. I think that's silly and would waste juice & they won't like hills

[chetsjug]

I had to chuckle; I live under an airport landing pattern too :p ... Anyway, I want to do the same thing to a '82 Chevy Cavalier auto tranny. There is a couple forums out there that told how to do this. You need a relay, that upon braking, spins the motor at a very low RPM until 1 or 2 seconds after stopping (keeps pump turning). The motor goes dead at a red light etc. When you step on the gas, it kicks up about 250 RPMs long enough to build pressure (½-1 second) then accelerates on its way.

[brettcelicacoupe]

running a torque converter?

[liighthead]

very nice work :)