Electric Starion - Electric Car Conversion - Part 1

Three years ago I knew nothing about cars nor cared for them much, until Stephanie Walsh got me interested in Starions. Her ex said back then, 'You gotta know about cars or some mechanics will rip you off'. Sadly, Stephanie passed away in 2007. I have decided to do an electric car project in her honour, as she was a wiz at electronics and taught me much in that area also. Together with Nathan Bolton we are now converting my rare Starion to full electric drive. This is the first video of a series I intend to do following the conversion of my car. We now have a Kostov 10.7 inch electric motor that used to be in an electric bus for the Sydney Olympics. I've got lithiums on the ship from China, a Curtis controller and other bits and pieces coming for the air-con, power steering etc. The car has been a headache in some ways, getting it up to spec, re-spraying in places etc but overall it should look good when done and will comply with local laws for on-road every day use. This video covers engine mounting estimations, rear-battery compartment construction, and Nathan's teaching me to weld (and as someone commented, "You had better hide your boobs or sparks will fly' ;-P ). The adaptor plate for the gear box has already come back from the machinist and in this video we drop the motor in and temporarily position it to get a rough estimation of available space - there should be plenty for the controller and batteries, along with a home-designed cooling block for the controller.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• electric
• starion
• cars
• EV
• conversion
• convert
• your
• car
• vehicle
• thundersky
• lithium

[ProtocolsMaster]

You got quite instructional videos there bud. Have a question, I want to convert my ford escape to full electric, do you think this motor will move it? Think it's worth it?

[cityofdomes]

wow, ford escape is pretty heavy I'd imagine, you know the tar weight? Sure the motor will push it, 11inch 125kw with power to spare, you just need a bigger battery pack and charger if you want to match performance of gas engine, motor will handle up to 180vdc or so. Lithium polymers and a soliton controller will help too. AC conversion is a better alternative for more linear power curve. There's a couple of blogs, just search 'electric ford escape'. Convert hybrid escape may be easier.

[DemonLordOdin454]

i have a few starions and was wondering how much power does it make in horsepower terms, i read in vid 5 it drives like a normal one, any acceleration comparisons yet

[cityofdomes]

We were planning on doing comparisons with my silver Staz but the engine failed on that :( -always seems to be some work or other to be done on a car :( so sorry no comparisons yet. I'd say approx 145hp that being 110kW or so - if I ramp up the voltage by just another 12 volts I'd get 125kW or so -the motor can handle it but I'd probably have to replace the charger. Note improved drivability over turbo as there is more low-end grunt from series DC. Acceleration has flattening effect on boobs :)

[estelitom]

This electric thing is really good for the environment but those BOOBS are really GREAT!!! I'm now a believer in ELECTRIC cars!!!! DETROIT is DEAD!!! Long live the BOOBIES!!!!!!

[cityofdomes]

and so say both of us

[korayersoy]

tried to focus on the car but was not able because of the wonderfull boobs of the lady...im really sorry, i said this...

[LeSebShow]

I tried to learn something but that breast is very distracting. LOL

[swc64844]

@korayersoy i have to agreei have watched aal the videos and they ARE hard to watch. Constantly distracted.

[estelitom]

I am willing to buy that Starion Electric car or whatever at any cost on only 1 condition: Boobies must be inlcuded !!!NO BoOBIES NO DEAL!!!!

[estelitom]

Great Boobies make happy employees!!!!

[iverson25allen]

R.i.p Stephanie. Read desc.