The Motorola Corvette EV is being restored. https://youtu.be/G7awv5KS3Nw?si=taJWWPcAcKtOgDL_
On Thu, 22 Sept 2022 at 17:15, Lee Hart via EV <ev@lists.evdl.org> wrote: > > EV List Lackey via EV wrote: > > Intriguing! This seems to be the story's origin: > > > > https://www.thedrive.com/culture/we-found-motorolas-secret-chevy-corvette-ev- > > prototype-from-the-1990s > > > > or https://v.gd/NbYpwY > > > > One wonders why an organization with presumably deep pockets had to start > > with a used glider. > > I agree that the author seems a bit clueless about EVs and their > history. I sent him an email with additional details. > > > The article's author calls this an "EV prototype" > > Yes, it was a test bed. Motorola was a big semiconductor supplier to the > auto industry. They routinely wrote application notes to encourage > automotive engineers to use their parts. Of course they had to test > their circuits, to be sure they really worked. The Corvette was a good > (and fun) way for the engineers to do it! > > They didn't make it public because auto company executives would be > outraged if (for example) Ford knew that "their" circuits were designed > and tested in a (gasp choke) GM vehicle! > > > So a little possibly irresponsible speculation: maybe Motorola management > > looked at GM's 1990 Impact prototype and the Hughes AC "Vector Drive," and > > wondered whether Motorola might catch some of the potential EV market. > > Many of Motorola's industrial and automotive EV application notes were > collected and published in the "Motor Control Electronics Handbook" by > Richard Valentine (c) 1998. The authors and references are almost all > Motorola Semiconductor employees and application notes. There you'll > find the 'Vette's motor controller, charger, power steering (and more), > all laid out completely enough that one could actually build them. > > > The article... suggests that it's a series DC motor. > > But... it sounds more like an AC induction drive of the time. > > Yes; it was an AC induction motor. But there were probably DC motors in > the vehicle as well, for things like the power steering pump and A/C > compressor. > > BTW, the Valentine book also describes a DC traction motor drive system > in a Ford pickup truck. Maybe another test bed of the Motorola group? > > > The Impact, Hughes, and AC Propulsion drives all ran in the 300-400 volt > > range, though not at 1000 amps. > > Not 1000 amps continuous; the batteries weren't up to it. But remember > that the motor controller steps the voltage down and the current up. It > could well have delivered 1000 amps peak to the motor. > > > Bummer that the article's author wasn't more knowledgeable about EVs. One > > of us might have figured out a LOT more, given the same opportunity to nose > > around it. Does anyone here live close to Gurnee, Illinois? > > It would indeed be interesting to hear an expert's opinion on the vehicle! > > For one thing, I expect that the (few) batteries in it weren't original, > but added by someone attempting to see if the vehicle still worked. > > Lee Hart > > -- > "#3 pencils and quadrille pads." -- Seymour Cray, when asked > what CAD tools he used to design the Cray I supercomputer > -- > Lee Hart, 814 8th Ave N, Sartell MN 56377, www.sunrise-ev.com > > -- > This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. > www.avast.com > _______________________________________________ > Address messages to ev@lists.evdl.org > No other addresses in TO and CC fields > HELP: http://www.evdl.org/help/ > -- Paul Compton www.paulcompton.co.uk (YouTube channel) _______________________________________________ Address messages to ev@lists.evdl.org No other addresses in TO and CC fields HELP: http://www.evdl.org/help/
