I have almost 30k miles on my conversion. I started with a vacuum pump and a big reservoir. When I added insulation to my batteries, I didn't have room for the reservoir, so I tried leaving it out. The car still drives (and stops) fine. I haven't had any problems with the vacuum pump. I believe I got it from EV America. My car is only essentially a Honda Civic, though, so it doesn't strain a vacuum pump much. Removing the reservoir did lead to much quicker pump down when starting the car. I think the hoses are acting as a reservoir. I can still hit the brakes once before the pump comes on.
I have had some 12v problems, but mostly from parasitic loads draining the battery when parked for several weeks without use. I did have one time when the pack voltage into the DC-DC converter made intermittent contact and my 12v battery started to die. I fixed the loose connection and it has been fine since. I try to use only good quality Anderson PowerPole and Amp connectors for all connections. I'm also paranoid about all 12v and low-current pack connections. They are all crimped and soldered. I learned that from my fire chief working on a fire engine with electrical problems. When we were done, it didn't have intermittent connections any more. I don't know if you this is why my electrical components and connections have been reliable, but I'm happy enough with the results to keep doing it. Mike www.evalbum.com/2778 On August 12, 2014 4:31:14 PM MDT, Willie2 via EV <[email protected]> wrote: >On 08/12/2014 05:09 PM, John Lussmyer via EV wrote: >> My truck has Power Brakes and needs vacuum. I have a GOOD vacuum >pump, AND a large reservoir, AND a big DC-DC. >> (and I CAN stop the truck just fine without the power assist.) >> >It sounds like you might not have many miles on your conversion? With >40k conversion miles, I can tell you that my experience is that keeping > >12vdc is the most troublesome feature and the brake vacuum pump comes >in >second. Perhaps the controller is a distant 3rd. All in all, I could >not expect my conversion to go more than a few thousand miles without >major issues. Before I went to lithium, about 2009, lead batteries >would top the list. >_______________________________________________ >UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub >http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org >For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA >(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA) _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
