Electric Car Conversion 101 part 001

Converting a Dodge Neon to electric so you can too!

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• electric
• conversion
• car
• EV
• DIY
• do
• it
• yourself
• homebuilt
• dodge
• neon

[Jacno77]

is your dodge neon even legal to drive if you convert it?

[BenjaminNelson]

@Jacno77

What would be illegal about it? You still need to be registered, have insurance, etc.

Other than that, it's just a car.

If you are in an area with smog/emissions testing, you may need an exemption from that.

[chrstphrharp1]

Why did you use an AC motor instead of a DC? Every train locomotive I worked on that was AC powered was a pain and always had problems with starting to move. These were power houses once they were moving. A train can generate AC power eaiser that DC but you are going to have a DC power plant (batteries) now you will have to invert this right?

[BenjaminNelson]

@chrstphrharp1 The builder got an AC motor AND its matching inverter/controller (AC drive) for free out of factory salvage. He simply modified the setup to run a car. An AC system is more efficient (no brushes) and features regenerative braking. He's also an electronics guy and enjoys the design challenge of this unique vehicle.

[robviolin1]

If you study the Nissan Leaf, you will see it does not have a transmission. It uses a drive train with a synchronous electric motor. How is your setup different from that?

[BenjaminNelson]

@robviolin1 Some factory produced EVs with very high end electric motors use a gear reduction and differential. In this case,the transmission gives you the gear reduction. In front-wheel drive cars, the differential is built into the transmission. (You still need the drive wheels to be able to go different speeds to go around turns.)

Also, with a single large motor, you just need a good place to mount it. That means the easiest thing to do is just connect it directly to the transmission.

[cinilaknedalm]

Just watched all the videos in this series, thank you so much for all the work you guys put into making them. I think you would rock everyone's world if you were to find a sponsor and do another conversion in full detail with perhaps lithium batteries. All the best to you, cheerio!

[Dongskie2]

Hi, What motor specs should I look into kv, voltae, phase, torque etc that I can use on a 1990 Ford Festiva.

Thanks

[800GYMAN]

what motor did you use ?

[meatpole55]

what size motor did you use for the conversion..??

[MsHightec]

thanks a lot for share all that

[MsHightec]

what power have the motor?

[mrgessy16]

Is it more easy to do it on automatic trans...?

[InsectsandCreatures]

I just had a thought.I think it's possible to install a small generator around the wheel to utilize its rotation and use it to charge the batteries whilst the EV's on the road.What do you think?

[hitechdriveby]

what kind of motor are you using? specs:rpm, voltage, hp...thanx.