009 - EV Conversion 101 video 9 - First Test Drive

Tom's first official test drive of his all-electric Dodge Neon.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• EV
• Dodge
• Neon
• Electric
• Vehicle
• AC
• test
• drive

[my73737373]

What is the rage on that car?

[BenjaminNelson]

@my73737373

50 miles.

[tappakeggaday1]

i was noticing how low the back end sits while driving,I didn't know if this was due to the added extra battery weight but was there some way of adding a lift kit to help bring the body more up off the tires?would be great if there was some way to mount a solar panel on top to help charge the batteries while the car was not in motion

[BenjaminNelson]

@tappakeggaday1  I don't think Tom ever modified the rear suspension. There are various after-market springs and airbags to change that though.

As for solar panels, those are best on the roof of a garage. An electric car uses much more energy than a few small panels on the car could provide.

[krzintegraboi]

so did you figure out the range??

[BenjaminNelson]

@krzintegraboi

Tom has gone up to 50 miles on a charge in this car.

Keep in mind that he lives in the city and can get to almost ANYWHERE with that 50 miles.

[tappakeggaday1]

@djVinnyBricks thanks,I try to learn as much as I can from watching these videos, are you also a designer?I would like to talk to a mechanic about an assist idea I have using parts that are already on the market and modifying them. PM me if you are and I will discuss the idea with you as a friend of mine thought it was a good idea

[djVinnyBricks]

@tappakeggaday1 No need for custom springs as mentioned in the vid, rear springs from a 2000+ (2nd gen) Neon will fit the 95-99 struts and will give more ride height. Just an FYI.

[krzintegraboi]

@BenjaminNelson im trying to see how long the battiers will tak a charge because i want to convert my integra but i need to know what the get and probably the total cost i drive 15 miles to work but most of the time i can drive 85 miles a day.

[justmesujoy]

You said that the electric motor weighs about 150 lbs so how much does the engine weigh? Could you also give me the weight of the entire drive train, differential axles etc? Rough estimates would be more than enough. Why not just set a couple of geared motors to the real wheels rather than play with the entire drivetrain? You are good enough to make your own circuits so balancing for turns like the differential shouldn't be a problem. One more thing how much did this project cost and save you?