EV Digest 6680
Topics covered in this issue include:
1) Re: Excellent GM Volt video
by "Ryan Stotts" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
2) Re: darn press!
by mike golub <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
3) Re: Lithium batteries (was: Re: Excellent GM Volt video)
by "Ryan Stotts" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
4) Re: Last Call Lee Hart Battery balancer mail thread
by "Rush" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
5) Re: DC/DC Interference near contactors?
by Ricky Suiter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
6) Re: Electric lawn mower
by "Bob Rice" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
7) Beefing-up the DCDC on CivicWithACord!
by Bob Bath <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
8) RE: Excellent GM Volt video
by "Randy Burleson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
9) Re: Breaking in a new pack
by <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
10) Re: Lithium batteries & safety
by "Osmo S." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
11) Re: 71 VW Micro Bus
by "jerryd" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
12) Re: Killacycle comes to the Wayland Invitational III
by "Andrew Kane" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
13) The 1993 Eagle : Summit EV's on E-bay
by Steve Powers <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
14) Re: Last Call Lee Hart Battery balancer mail thread
by "Rush" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
15) Re: EV APU (genset) emissions & FE
by Rob&Amy Smith <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
16) Friday funny...
by [EMAIL PROTECTED]
17) Re: Excellent GM Volt video
by "Philippe Borges" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
18) Marathon M12V105FT batteries any good?
by Ian Hooper <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
19) Re: 71 VW Micro Bus
by "Jo Prichard" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
20) Re: "largish" brushless motors available
by "joe" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
21) Re: PNW Converting to Electric Lawn Mower
by Lee Hart <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
22) Re: 71 VW Micro Bus
by [EMAIL PROTECTED]
23) Re: "largish" brushless motors available
by Jeff Major <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
24) EV in Forbidden Planet?
by David Sharpe <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
25) Re: 71 VW Micro Bus
by Lee Hart <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
26) Re: PNW Converting to Electric Lawn Mower
by Frank John <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
27) Re: 71 VW Micro Bus
by "George Swartz" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
28) Re: "largish" brushless motors available
by Lee Hart <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
29) RE: Forklift Motor Choice
by Jeff Major <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
--- Begin Message ---
Jeff wrote:
Maybe someday we will see a distributor.
Does this not count?
http://www.a123racing.com/images/horizon-sign.jpg
http://www.horizonhobby.com/
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
I got to show my truck for an hour, plan to have it
there Saturday as well.
--- MIKE WILLMON <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Yeah if you pay the extra for the $20 battery
> brusher it'll last 80,000 miles. ;-P
>
> I think the guy got confused with the motor brushes.
> Those electric "engines" are diffucult things to
> understand ;-)
> But at least they start at 40 below, right?
>
> That guy from the paper called me yesterday but I
> was out of the office. Looks like he wasted no time
> in going to press.
>
> So Mike, How is the Festival up there going in
> general? Sounds like there's a lot of info being
> focused on. Are you getting any face time with
> people on your truck?
>
> Mike,
> Anchorage, Ak.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Eric Poulsen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Thursday, April 19, 2007 9:34 am
> Subject: Re: darn press!
> To: ev@listproc.sjsu.edu
>
> > "His upkeep consists of a $20 battery brusher
> every 80,000 miles,
> > new
> > batteries every three years and water for the
> battery cases every
> > season."
> > Battery brusher? =)
> >
> > mike golub wrote:
> > > http://newsminer.com/2007/04/19/6555/
> > >
> > >
> > > Well, I tried... but they still mess up the
> facts...
> > >
> > > enjoy!
> > >
> > > Michael Golub
> > > Fairbanks, AK
> > >
> > >
> __________________________________________________
> > > Do You Yahoo!?
> > > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam
> protection around
> > > http://mail.yahoo.com
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Ian wrote:
400kg worth of those would be approaching 100kWh!
Holy smokes think of the range!
I think the situation with the car companies and EV's is exactly like
the computer hard drive market.
Why release the biggest model first? Think about how hard drives
increase just a little at a time and are still the 3.5" form factor.
I remember an article a good year or more ago announcing new 250, 500,
and 750 gig hard drives. The 250's came right out. Took quite some
time for the 500's to appear. I'm not sure how long the 750's have
been out. Think about all the hard drive sizes over the years..
10gig, 20, 40, 60, 75, 80, 100, 120, 160, 180...
OEM EV's will be the same way. Here's the Volt with 40 whole miles
range. The next years model will have 50 or 60? Then 70 or 80 or
jump right to 100? When the reality is that we could have a 1,000
mile range EV TODAY if they'd only put the big pack together and build
it. A123 really should consider banging together a high mileage
conversion as a proof of concept. Take a Vette or Mustang and make it
run 9's. You want range? You want performance? A123 delivers.
The Tesla is interesting. Will it EVER have any more
range/performance then it currently does? How will they change up
each years new model?
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Steve wrote -
> This sounds good ,,How many people do we have ?
> Steve Clunn
I've ordered a set from Lee. I have 30 Bats, so with each relay board hooking
up to a max of 8 batteries, I'll need 4 relay boards and one control board.
Rush
Tucson AZ
www.ironandwood.org
www.Airphibian.com
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* ---REMAINDER OF MESSAGE TRUNCATED--- *
* This post contains a forbidden message format *
* (such as an attached file, a v-card, HTML formatting) *
* Lists at sjsu.edu only accept PLAIN TEXT *
* If your postings display this message your mail program *
* is not set to send PLAIN TEXT ONLY and needs adjusting *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
----- Original Message -----
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <ev@listproc.sjsu.edu>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 8:31 PM
Subject: Electric lawn mower
> I got one lawn customer who thinks once or twice a year is all their lawn
needs to be cut . Its a great lawn to show off the power of my electric
mower, with a 8 inch net gain motor , and curtis controller , I have never
truned it all the way up not even in this video. I videoed the last 2
cuttings and put it up on youtube .
>
> www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqiAGU5cLjY&mode=user&search=
> Steve Clunn
> I got to "fly" that mower last year! It's a hoot! With half a Zombie's
power it ROARS through tall grass, rocks, dirt, 'stench chords, whatEVEr!
Gees! If Steve went with MORE Optimas, he could get a contract with FLA Dot
to mow the mediums on Floridas' Turnpike at posted speeds!Drop in on Steve
and go mowing!Your EV grin will show through!
Bob
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
As you heard, I had some hassles with the car over
winter. Turns out that they were traced to a bad aux.
battery.
Well, looking at the HV pack current draw, I've
determined that:
I draw 1.3A from it when the aux. batt. has a full
charge. Ie, if the aux batt. has a full charge, it
will that much via the DCDC to recharge the aux. batt.
After a night of not using the car, I can start it in
the morning and it will have a 2.6A-3.2A pull on the
HV pack via the DCDC converter.
This difference can be attributed to two things: the
car stereo (which is precious little) and the E-meter.
Likely it was this constant drain that did in the
aux. battery. Hence a post by listers who talk about
leaving their DCDC on constantly, IIRC.
My DCDC is currently a 350W model by DCP. It has the
advantage of offering a bipolar supply which is
required by the e-meter.
There is a new startup called Belktronix that makes a
600W DCDC. If I move up to the higher wattage
Belktronix model, it would top off the aux. battery
much faster as I drive. My car would also slurp into
the aux. battery less deeply on those winter occasions
when I'm using the rear defroster, blower, stereo,
headlights, and wipers (yes, it does actually happen).
I'll grant that I could add a circuit which would
keep the car on until the aux. battery is topped off.
(I currently am leaving the car on once in awhile when
I get home to reduce the toll it takes on the aux.
battery, but what a pain)!
In addition, Belktronix manufactures a dedicated
bipolar supply for the e-meter. Currently, turning
the DCDC off also disables several records the e-meter
keeps: (deepest Ahs cycled, total cycles, etc.) which
is kind of a bummer. I've paid for those features,
and currently don't get to use them!
So I ordered the new DCDC, and have been told it
shipped today. The Belktronix supply for the e-meter
consumes only 7W, and hopefully will leave the aux.
battery in a higher state of charge than it currently
is, although it may only be slurping 7W from the aux.
battery right now...
Eventually I'll put the DCP DCDC up for sale on E-bay.
In the meantime, I'm-a- grinnin' & driving every day!
Converting a gen. 5 Honda Civic? My $20 video/DVD
has my '92 sedan, as well as a del Sol and hatch too!
Learn more at:
www.budget.net/~bbath/CivicWithACord.html
____
__/__|__\ __
=D-------/ - - \
'O'-----'O'-'
Would you still drive your car if the tailpipe came out of the steering wheel?
Are you saving any gas for your kids?
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
> The challenge is to present things in a calm reasonable manner,
> so that people who disagree with you won't "tune you out" just
> from your tone, without even listening to what you said.
Well said!
Randii
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
> Subject: Breaking in a new pack
>
> A recent entry talked about breaking in a new battery pack.
Sometimes there is not time to " just drive easy" , like getting a car ready
for a long distance compatition , and just getting it done before the event .
Then cycling is needed , the motor also needs to be broken in and the two brake
in nicely together with easy driving .But who can wait , I had a though along
these lines ,, one could split there pack into 2 equeal packs , and with
another battery push the current back and forth between the two packs buy
reversing the "odd" battery watch would be connected between the two packs .
This would also show how much is wasted in charging by how much you have to
charge the "odd" battery . .
Steve Clunn
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Thanks Bill, Ken (Ken your message was blocked by the server as many
others lately, but I got it in Bill´s reply),
Bill Dube kirjoitti 20.4.2007 kello 0.25:
The small amount of organic solvent electrolyte inside an A123 cell
is flammable. If you have a spark after the cell has started to
vent, and there is the correct mixture of solvent vapor with the
surrounding air, you will set the solvent on fire.
Maybe I made a spark when hitting the nail through the hole in the
metal band that held the cell in it´s place. Or when the nail
penetrated the metal case of the cell.
Inside a battery box, this won't happen because there is not enough
air and the mixture will likely be too "rich" to ignite. If it does
ignite, the available air will be used up quickly, and the flames
with extinguish.
What if the box is well ventilated with a fan. Or the cell was
damaged in a collision that opened the box to get enough air. Or..
Of course these are worst case scenarios, but for me it was a healthy
experience to notice that even the (propably) safest li-battery can
catch a fire, despite of the fact that the manufacturer says "the
active materials in A123’s technology are not combustible". I suppose
the key word is "active". I don´t know what is the right definition
of active material, but at least this page says the electrolyte is
one of them:
http://tinyurl.com/32vevr
Maybe I´m now more willing to sacrifice a few more inches and pounds
to make the battery box strong enough to protect the cells from (at
least modest) mechanical impacts. And to use non-conductive material
if possible.
Now that A123 and others have found ways to make the electrodes
safer, let´s hope 3M or some other company can do the same for
electrolyte:
"Although current lithium-ion electrolytes are flammable, 3M is
developing nonflammable electrolytes for use with lithium-ion
batteries."
http://tinyurl.com/2uojxy
http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/17653/
At 07:15 AM 4/19/2007, you wrote:
Pretty much anything will burn if it is hot enough, but, that does
not necessarily mean that the batteries are just teetering on edge
of bursting into flames. Perspectively, putting a match to a
battery is not quite as likely to catch fire as putting a match to
gasoline.
Ken
And perspectively, putting a nail in gasoline is not as likely to
catch fire as putting one in a battery... :) But I got your point,
there are always risks when dealing with high energy contents.
Osmo
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Hi Lucile and All,
Microbus' are good EV gliders being fairly
light, carries a lot of weight for batteries and low cost,
EV parts readily available. With a few mods, can be fairly
aerodynamic too so you can get reasonable range at higher
speeds. It's better than any other Van, SUV choice and many
car gliders too.
VW bugs are great under 50 mph EV's as their
aero is fairly bad, the Karman Ghia makes a great EV for
higher speeds.
VW just did an old microbus as an EV in SF
area using Kokam Li-ion batteries, not something we can
afford but gets 100 mile range. I suggest golf cart lead
batts for the best life, cost for your $.
With a little more info on your uses, speed,
range needed, place you will use it, we could make a better
choice.
Jerry Dycus
----- Original Message Follows -----
From: Lucile Beatty <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: ev@listproc.sjsu.edu
Subject: 71 VW Micro Bus
Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2007 19:47:09 -0700 (PDT)
>Does anyone have experience with a conversion on a 71 VW
>Micro Bus - If so what is your advise. Thanks
>Cile
>
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* ---REMAINDER OF MESSAGE TRUNCATED--- *
* This post contains a forbidden message format *
* (such as an attached file, a v-card, HTML formatting) *
* Lists at sjsu.edu only accept PLAIN TEXT *
* If your postings display this message your mail program *
* is not set to send PLAIN TEXT ONLY and needs adjusting *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* ---REMAINDER OF MESSAGE TRUNCATED--- *
* This post contains a forbidden message format *
* (such as an attached file, a v-card, HTML formatting) *
* Lists at sjsu.edu only accept PLAIN TEXT *
* If your postings display this message your mail program *
* is not set to send PLAIN TEXT ONLY and needs adjusting *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Sounds like a great idea Peter.
Is it possible that you can make the form so that it notifies Lee automatically
once the order is filled out? And of course a downpayment should be part of the
process
It maybe that Lee will be overwhelmed with orders... heh, heh. Wouldn't that be
great! And it might bring down the piece price.
Rush
Tucson AZ
www.ironandwood.org
www.Airphibian.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter VanDerWal" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <ev@listproc.sjsu.edu>
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 5:52 PM
Subject: Re: Last Call Lee Hart Battery balancer mail thread
> Would this be better/easier if we had a web based order form that
> interested folks could fill out and submit?
> Something that included all of the possible options and a brief
> description of what they do.
>
> I'd be happy to create the form and host it, if it would help.
>
>> yes, same here.
>> just need an amount, name, address.
>> I'm going with the kit option.
>> temp sensing is a must!
>> I have 10+1 12v gel cells so I'll need two relay
>> boards.
>>
>> regards
>>
>> Brian B.
>>
>> --- John RA Benson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>>
>>> On 4/19/07 7:01 AM, "John RA Benson"
>>> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>>>
>>> > I'm happy to cough up a down payment to verify
>>> interest/confirm order and get
>>> > the ball rolling. Just need to know how much $ and
>>> where to send the dough.
>>> >
>>> > Cheers
>>> > JRAB
>>> >
>>> > On 4/19/07 12:04 AM, "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
>>> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>>> >
>>> >> We have gone one month and it is time to now to
>>> place the order. I have sent
>>> >> this on to any groups that I thought would be
>>> interested.
>>> >>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>> __________________________________________________
>> Do You Yahoo!?
>> Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
>> http://mail.yahoo.com
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> If you send email to me, or the EVDL, that has > 4 lines of legalistic
> junk at the end; then you are specifically authorizing me to do whatever I
> wish with the message. By posting the message you agree that your long
> legalistic signature is void.
>
>
>
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
>According to it, the cleanest burning motorcycle produces 100 times
as much pollution as a Toyota Prius.
So why not build a genset out of a wrecked Prius :-)
>My understanding is that 40kw+ generators are pretty big and heavy.
As I recall '04+ Prius has 30kW generator, plus another 50kW if you
can repurpose the drive motor. I seem to remember reading the engine
weight was only 150lbs, though I don't think this includes the
transmission and electric PM motors as I found another source putting
the drive PM motor & casing at ~99lbs. Probably take some hits for
efficiency in rectification and so on, but thats a lot of kWs and a
very light clean running motor already all linked up together in one
package.
>> What would be the disadvantage of direct connecting the APU to
the shaft of the motor, perhaps via some sort of electric clutch?
>That, IMNSHO is exactly how you SHOULD do it. A series/parallel
hybrid with the ICE driving the wheels directly as needed and usually
only at highway speeds.
Ok then, how about an Insight or Prius based pusher trailer ala an
updated/cleaner http://www.austinev.org/evalbum/304. Still get
10-30kW charging while cruising down the road at decent mileage and
very low emissions?
Rob
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Lee> Once you're making them by the million, all other costs (research,
Lee> development, tooling, factor setup, licensing, legal, etc.) shrink
Lee> to an insignificant fraction.
Except if you're an American drug manufacturers. (Sorry, couldn't resist...)
Skip
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Last cycling test i read about them was approching 400 cycles at 80%DOD with
less than 5% capacity loss, so 1600 cycles until 80% capacity should be
possible.
BUT this was on 1 single cell, serie string test results will be different !
Cordialement,
Philippe
Et si le pot d'échappement sortait du volant, quel carburant choisiriez-vous
?
http://vehiculeselectriques.free.fr
Forum de discussion sur les véhicules électriques
http://vehiculeselectriques.free.fr/Forum/index.php
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lee Hart" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <ev@listproc.sjsu.edu>
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 10:23 AM
Subject: Re: Excellent GM Volt video
Lee Hart wrote:
An A123 cell delivers about 3v at 2ah = 6wh. Even at $2 each, that's 33
cents per watthour. A plain old flooded lead-acid delivers 6v at 150ah =
900wh for $75, or 8 cents per watthour, or 4 times the price.
To clarify... the A123 cells is 4 times more expensive per watthour than
the lead-acid battery.
--
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget the perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in -- Leonard Cohen
--
Lee A. Hart, 814 8th Ave N, Sartell MN 56377, leeahart_at_earthlink.net
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Hi all,
I have the opportunity to pick up some 2nd hand Marathon M12V105FT
batteries which have been swapped out of a power backup installation.
Is anyone familiar with these batteries, particularly for EV use?
They look like they might not be good for high-current discharge, but
I thought I'd ask the experts (you guys). Here's the datasheet:
http://www.sigmunky.com/Marathon_FT_e.pdf
They are 3.5 years old now, the specs claims 12-year design life but
I'm skeptical about how much life they might have left..
Oh, also, what would be a fair price to pay?
-Ian
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Hi Lucile and All,
Microbus' are good EV gliders being fairly
light, carries a lot of weight for batteries and low cost,
EV parts readily available. With a few mods, can be fairly
aerodynamic too so you can get reasonable range at higher
speeds. It's better than any other Van, SUV choice and many
car gliders too.
Is it a Microbus in this style or the older model?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:VW_Type2_T3_Kombi.jpg
Is it viable to convert a Kombi to an EV (cause they are beasts!) and if
it's an option, generally what size engine would one need for it to be able
to handle small hills and have a top speed of 40miles/hr?
Here in South Africa, they are still selling new Citi Golf's (Rabbits) like
mad so second hand donor vehicles and parts are not a problem. I've been
thinking of converting one to an EV.
http://www.vw.co.za/models/citi/
But, if the Kombi is a good option because of the amount of space and weight
it can cart I'd be much happier having an EV Microbus for the school run! I
always presumed that the weight of the Kombi and the brick shape it has made
it unsuitable as an EV? But if it's for short trips around the backroads all
below 40 miles/hr should I be considering it?
Thanks in advance
Jo Prichard
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
The point, Lee, was not efficiency - it was that it wounldn't work!
Joseph H. Strubhar
Web: www.gremcoinc.com
E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lee Hart" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <ev@listproc.sjsu.edu>
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 3:28 AM
Subject: Re: "largish" brushless motors available
From: "Lee Hart"
I suspect it won't be long before I see one cast with pot metal (random
scrap)
because aluminum is getting expensive.
joe wrote:
LOL - I don't think so, Lee! Diecast (pot metal) doesn't have very
good electrical properties, and the casting in the rotors has to have
that!
Consumers have *no* idea of the efficiency of the electric motors they
buy. They buy on price. If a pot metal rotor is cheaper, someone in China
or Mexico or India will start selling cheaper motors that are "only 10%
less efficient", and American companies will snap them up.
I've seen the blower motors in residential furnaces go from 80% to 75% and
now 70% as furnace manufacturer keep squeezing more and more cost out of
the motors. The electricity used by the motor doesn't count toward the
efficiency of a gas furnace, so they can make it as low as they like. It's
become the norm to run these motors at high slip, to save the cost of a
speed controller or multipole windings.
--
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget the perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in -- Leonard Cohen
--
Lee A. Hart, 814 8th Ave N, Sartell MN 56377, leeahart_at_earthlink.net
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Alan Brinkman wrote:
I like the Schumacher 1.5 amp charger... (or equivalent) but it is not
cheap anymore. Look at E-bay number 140107596426 for an example
I have one of these, and have tested it. Be aware that this is a
"blinkinlight" charger that cycles on/off forever, rather than staying
at some float voltage. It charges until the battery rises to 14.8v; then
shuts off until it falls to 13.6v, and repeats forever.
This is a very simple algorithm that is one step better than a true
trickle charger that never shuts off at all; but it will nevertheless
overcharge a battery and cause it to use water (slowly) if left on it
continuously.
Stand Culp wrote:
I am looking for both an automotive starter motor, and a deep cycle
12V battery to power the mower.
A starter motor is a poor choice. They aren't meant to be used for more
than a few seconds at a time, and will quickly overheat if you try to
run it continuously. They also wear out very quickly, because their
bearings and brushes aren't built to last more than an hour or so total
running time.
I'd suggest looking for a golf cart motor, or perhaps a surplus 24v or
36v industrial motor. I bought one from ABC Electronics in Minneapolis
for $100 to convert a Wheel Horse garden tractor, and it worked quite well.
pondering where I can get an inexpensive deep cycle bat that'd be
adequate to the job and thinking someone on the list (and in the
> Portland/Vancouver area) might have BOTH that I could scrounge.
That's certainly possible. If you do some experimenting, you can often
find "bad" lead-acid batteries that there is nothing wrong with that a
good equalizing charge, or recasting a terminal can't fix.
Or, you can find old batteries that someone just blindly replaces every
few years. Or, a complete pack out of an EV that is being replaced when
only a few of them in the string are bad.
A garden tractor is pretty easy on batteries (Steve Clunn's excepted),
so you can often use batteries that aren't good enough for other uses.
--
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget the perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in -- Leonard Cohen
--
Lee A. Hart, 814 8th Ave N, Sartell MN 56377, leeahart_at_earthlink.net
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* ---REMAINDER OF MESSAGE TRUNCATED--- *
* This post contains a forbidden message format *
* (such as an attached file, a v-card, HTML formatting) *
* Lists at sjsu.edu only accept PLAIN TEXT *
* If your postings display this message your mail program *
* is not set to send PLAIN TEXT ONLY and needs adjusting *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* ---REMAINDER OF MESSAGE TRUNCATED--- *
* This post contains a forbidden message format *
* (such as an attached file, a v-card, HTML formatting) *
* Lists at sjsu.edu only accept PLAIN TEXT *
* If your postings display this message your mail program *
* is not set to send PLAIN TEXT ONLY and needs adjusting *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
I recently revisited this 1950s Sci Fi. Is the utility driven at high
speed by Robbie supposed to be an EV? This movie has some interesting
concepts for those who have not seen it before.
David
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Jo Prichard wrote:
Is it viable to convert a Kombi to an EV (cause they are beasts!)
and if it's an option, generally what size engine would one need
for it to be able to handle small hills and have a top speed of
40miles/hr?
The older VW vans have been used for many conversions because they are
strong and light for the amount of payload they can carry, and fairly
easy to convert.
As you point out, they have a aerodynamics of a brick, and so are poor
at high speed. Another factor is that builders use most or all of the
van's load-carrying capacity for batteries, so it is no longer a truck
suitable for carrying lots of cargo or people. Safety is also a concern,
as they have very little crash protection.
Your 40 mph top speed would not be a problem -- wind resistance is not a
big factor. It is not hard to put a big enough motor in it to climb
hills at a respectable speed. Your main challenge will be the tradeoff
between range and load-carrying capacity -- if you need long range (say,
30-50 miles on a charge), you need around 1500 lbs of batteries, which
results in a 2-passenger vehicle. The van will look empty (1500 lbs of
batteries is only about 11" x 42" x 40") but no load capacity left. Cut
the battery pack weight in half, and you have some load capacity -- but
range is only 15-25 miles.
--
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget the perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in -- Leonard Cohen
--
Lee A. Hart, 814 8th Ave N, Sartell MN 56377, leeahart_at_earthlink.net
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* ---REMAINDER OF MESSAGE TRUNCATED--- *
* This post contains a forbidden message format *
* (such as an attached file, a v-card, HTML formatting) *
* Lists at sjsu.edu only accept PLAIN TEXT *
* If your postings display this message your mail program *
* is not set to send PLAIN TEXT ONLY and needs adjusting *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
VW microbus went cross country in the 1968 Great Electric Car race, Caltech
against MIT. It had 2000lb of lead acid batteries. BTW, Caltech won.
On Fri, 20 Apr 2007 04:08:08 -0500, jerryd wrote
> Hi Lucile and All,
> Microbus' are good EV gliders being fairly
> light, carries a lot of weight for batteries and low cost,
> EV parts readily available. With a few mods, can be fairly
> aerodynamic too so you can get reasonable range at higher
> speeds. It's better than any other Van, SUV choice and many
> car gliders too.
> VW bugs are great under 50 mph EV's as their
> aero is fairly bad, the Karman Ghia makes a great EV for
> higher speeds.
> VW just did an old microbus as an EV in SF
> area using Kokam Li-ion batteries, not something we can
> afford but gets 100 mile range. I suggest golf cart lead
> batts for the best life, cost for your $.
> With a little more info on your uses, speed,
> range needed, place you will use it, we could make a better
> choice.
> Jerry Dycus
>
> ----- Original Message Follows -----
> From: Lucile Beatty <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: ev@listproc.sjsu.edu
> Subject: 71 VW Micro Bus
> Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2007 19:47:09 -0700 (PDT)
>
> >Does anyone have experience with a conversion on a 71 VW
> >Micro Bus - If so what is your advise. Thanks
> >Cile
> >
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
joe wrote:
The point, Lee, was not efficiency - it was that it wouldn't work!
Oh, but it *will* work! Class C and D motors deliberately add rotor
resistance to reduce their starting current and increase starting
torque. They accept the lower efficiency.
There are already induction motors that use the iron core itself as
their rotor "windings" to save money. The rotor is just a solid slug of
iron. They are common for small instrumentation and fan motors where no
one cares about efficiency. My old Teac tape recorder uses two of them
as the reel motors (direct drive, too).
--
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget the perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in -- Leonard Cohen
--
Lee A. Hart, 814 8th Ave N, Sartell MN 56377, leeahart_at_earthlink.net
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* ---REMAINDER OF MESSAGE TRUNCATED--- *
* This post contains a forbidden message format *
* (such as an attached file, a v-card, HTML formatting) *
* Lists at sjsu.edu only accept PLAIN TEXT *
* If your postings display this message your mail program *
* is not set to send PLAIN TEXT ONLY and needs adjusting *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
--- End Message ---
