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Today's Topics:

   1. Re: Raptor 600 DC Motor Controller on Ebay (Sarah & Erik)
   2. Re: Battery rack help (Lee Hart)
   3. Re: Raptor 600 DC Motor Controller on Ebay (Josh Creel)
   4. Re: SCR instead of Contactor (Roland Wiench)
   5. New Firefly Energy video (Dmitri)
   6. Re: Electric Dragin' 1/8 mile times (2008 Power of DC)
      (Chip Gribben)
   7. iMIEV byers  Wish List - Lets START One (Steven Lough)
   8. Re: Metro motor removal (Bill Dennis)
   9. Re: iMIEV byers Wish List - Lets START One (Ben)
  10. A Van for the Wind Farm Tours (Steven Lough)
  11. OT - Just some follow UP Sustainable Energy on Maui (Steven Lough)
  12. Re: OT - Just some follow UP Sustainable Energy on Maui
      (martin emde)
  13. Re: Metro motor removal (Zeke Yewdall)
  14. Re: Strange pulsing in 12V circuits (Adrian DeLeon)
  15. Re: New Firefly Energy video (T. Marshall)
  16. Re: gm should sell all without [was GM should sell Volt sans
      batteries] (EVDL Administrator)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 08:35:04 -0600
From: "Sarah & Erik" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: [EVDL] Raptor 600 DC Motor Controller on Ebay
To: ev@lists.sjsu.edu
Message-ID:
        <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

What is your cold weather problem on the Raptor? Mine has a warm up
period in cold weather, I say it's grumpy on cold mornings. It acts
like it's only seeing about 1/3 of the throttle travel so I can't get
more than about 75A once I'm moving. It'll start working normally in
about a mile. Of course a really cold morning for me in central Texas
is about 35, so if it's the same problem it might last a while longer
in a place with a real winter. Once I warmed the heatsink with a hair
dryer (not the normal power electronics problem!) and I think it
worked normally that day.

Erik

>  Message: 29
>  Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 07:51:06 -0500
>  From: "Bob Rice" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>  Subject: Re: [EVDL] Raptor 600 DC Motor Controller on Ebay
>  To: "Electric Vehicle Discussion List" <ev@lists.sjsu.edu>
>  Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>  Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
>         reply-type=original
>
>
>  ----- Original Message -----
>  From: "Bob Bath" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>  To: "Electric Vehicle Discussion List" <ev@lists.sjsu.edu>
>  Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 6:52 PM
>  Subject: Re: [EVDL] Raptor 600 DC Motor Controller on Ebay
>
>
>  > It depends.  An original 600 may have some issues with
>  > water condensation in cold climates; some of them have
>  > let the smoke out "before their time."
>  > Others are going quite strong.
>  > When Peter rebuilds them, they're more bulletproof,
>  > but the most bulletproof is his 1200A model, as near
>  > as I can figure.
>  > One other thing to consider: This model can be
>  > operated with an inductive throttle (no wearing out
>  > carbon element potbox type); or the conventional
>  > potbox.
>  > peace,
>  >
>  >    Hi EVerybody;
>
>    Well, the jury's STILL out on this one. Peter sez that the T Rex one has
>  had issues with the Inductive throttle that I have known and loved since Day
>  One for me. My Rapture's have done FINE at the 600 amp speed. Have enjoyed
>  failureproof operation with the "solenoid" setup, but Peter sez that this
>  cold weather issue Dave and I are having isn't that easy a fix, and a true
>  "Poybox" may be the reiliability issue? DAMN! A magnetic field rarely wears
>  out, and I have always thouight the Inductive Thing was a stroke of genious.
>  After going through the potbox opera a few weaks ago on the Sentra, with a
>  rebuilt Curtis. Going back to a old potbox setup will be a step down, for
>  the Raptures and T Wrecks! But at the downtime rate of late, it has forced
>  me to rethink good old contacter controllers, which I coulda fixed MYSELF
>  when I was 12 years old!
>
>     The New Stuff, which is SO cool, but good thing an electric isn't my
>  ONLY car!!Like a computer, the're nice when they work!
>
>       YMMV
>



------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 08:40:50 -0600
From: Lee Hart <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: [EVDL] Battery rack help
To: Electric Vehicle Discussion List <ev@lists.sjsu.edu>
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Paul wrote:
> A> ------- <Z
>     |OO OO|
>     |OO OO|
>     |OO OO|
>     ---------- <B
>     |OO OO OO|
>     |OO OO OO|
>     |OO OO OO|
>     ----------
>     ^        ^
>     C        D
> 
> Points A, B, C, and D are where I currently have the battery rack
> supported. The rack is 1 1/2 inch angle steel 1/8 inch thick. The
> problem is point Z. There is give in that area, just pushing down
> by hand in that area I get slight deflection.

OK, so point Z is cantilevered out beyond supports A, B, C and D.

The brute force solution is to get a piece of very thick steel (1/4" or 
so) and put it under the batteries to support the cantilevered corner.

Let's simplify things a bit for talking purposes. Say you have a simple 
square box made of steel angle, supported on 3 corners. You'll find that 
the 4th unsupported corner is weak and moves up/down easily. Even if you 
fully weld all four corners together, it won't be very stiff. If you 
watch it bend, you'll observe that the angle steel is twisting. Angle 
steel is relatively strong at resisting bending, but not torsion (twisting).

Replacing the angle with square steel tubing, welded on all four corners 
and all four sides, would be considerably stiffer. But it sounds like 
you won't have the height to allow this.

Similarly, you could add square steel tubing shaped like an X, that 
connects the diagonally opposite corners. Again, it would have to be 
welded on all sides. It moves the extra height to the middle rather than 
the edges; but you still may not have the height to do this.

Now get a cardboard box. Leave its top open, and support it by 3 
corners. Push down on the 4th unsupported corner and watch what happens. 
The corner easily drops, and the top opening of the box changes from 
square to diamond-shaped. Now close the flaps on the top of the box and 
try again -- this time, the box is drastically stiffer! So, you can 
enclose your batteries in a fairly light-gauge metal box. It will be 
stiff as long as you securely fasten a top to it.

You could also build just a skeleton of this box with angle steel. But 
it won't be stiff unless you include diagonal braces on all six sides.

-- 
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



------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:43:15 -0500
From: "Josh Creel" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: [EVDL] Raptor 600 DC Motor Controller on Ebay
To: "Electric Vehicle Discussion List" <ev@lists.sjsu.edu>
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
        reply-type=original

wHAT ARE YOU RUNNING YOUR RAPTOR IN?  WHAT KIND OF VEHICLE?


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sarah & Erik" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <ev@lists.sjsu.edu>
Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2008 9:35 AM
Subject: Re: [EVDL] Raptor 600 DC Motor Controller on Ebay


> What is your cold weather problem on the Raptor? Mine has a warm up
> period in cold weather, I say it's grumpy on cold mornings. It acts
> like it's only seeing about 1/3 of the throttle travel so I can't get
> more than about 75A once I'm moving. It'll start working normally in
> about a mile. Of course a really cold morning for me in central Texas
> is about 35, so if it's the same problem it might last a while longer
> in a place with a real winter. Once I warmed the heatsink with a hair
> dryer (not the normal power electronics problem!) and I think it
> worked normally that day.
> 
> Erik



------------------------------

Message: 4
Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:04:09 -0700
From: "Roland Wiench" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: [EVDL] SCR instead of Contactor
To: "Electric Vehicle Discussion List" <ev@lists.sjsu.edu>
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Content-Type: text/plain;       charset="iso-8859-1"

YES YOU CAN if its done right.  It is easy to control AC and more 
complicated to do DC.

I have now been running SCR's switching in my EV since 1975.  I have three 
SCR's modules that is rated at 240 VAC at 40 amps that is switching on and 
off three electric heaters.

There is also three 100 VDC 20 amp SCR modules  that is controlling three 
fans, and there is another 100 VDC 40 Amp that turns on my 
inverter-alternator circuits.

One of my bench mount battery chargers, is SCR bridge that the trigger 
circuit controls the output of the DC from 0 to 315 volts at 50 amps.

These units are factory made up modules with the correct circuitry made by 
ITE Electronics, General Electric, Square D etc.  I try to use a cheap one 
from All Electronics and it blew that sucker right out of there.

Now if you want to build your own modules which includes the SCR's heat 
sinks, trigger circuits, it best to get a General Electric SCR Manual which 
you can get from a Authorized General Electric Distributor or from the 
General Electric Company, Dept. B, 3800 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, 
Illinois 60641 which you can bring up in your search engine.

Roland


> paul holmes wrote:
>
> > I have a 340amp continuous, 200v SCR that I am planning on
> > using instead of a contactor in my EV conversion.  Has anyone
> > else done this?  I always hear about the possibility of
> > contactors sticking, so are SCRs safer?
>
> >  Also, I have a
> > question about reversing contactors.  Is it true that you
> > don't need a reversing contactor in order to go in reverse?
> > Can't you just use the reverse gear in your car? 



------------------------------

Message: 5
Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 11:20:27 -0500
From: "Dmitri" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [EVDL] New Firefly Energy video
To: "Electric Vehicle Discussion List" <ev@lists.sjsu.edu>
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
        reply-type=response

http://www.fireflyenergy.com/OasisVideo/index.html



------------------------------

Message: 6
Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 10:06:01 -0500
From: Chip Gribben <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: [EVDL] Electric Dragin' 1/8 mile times (2008 Power of DC)
To: ev@lists.sjsu.edu
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

Hi Dave,

That would be great to have your awesome Porsche back again and some  
friends from New England including Bob who is is now considered a  
local here because he has been so involved each year.

The AutoCross is scheduled for Saturday May 31. We still need to make  
arrangements for  the location and to get the SCCA to come out and  
time it. So those plans are underway. Mike Harvey has been busy with  
his project for the Daytona 500 festivities so I will get with him  
when he returns.

And the drag race is schedule for Sunday, June 1 at 10:30 am.

We're hoping Shawn's new dragster will be making its debut at the event.

I'll be updating the Power of DC site soon.

Chip
NEDRA
http://www.nedra.com




On Feb 14, 2008, at 8:54 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 18
> Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2008 19:13:25 -0500
> From: "dave cover" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: Re: [EVDL] Electric Dragin' 1/8 mile times have been posted.
> To: "Electric Vehicle Discussion List" <ev@lists.sjsu.edu>
> Message-ID:
>       <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> On Feb 13, 2008 4:22 PM, Chip Gribben <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>>
>> BTW, the 2008, 7th Annual NEDRA Power of DC is scheduled for Saturday
>> May 31 to Sunday June 1, 2008 at the Mason-Dixon Dragway.
>>
>
> Chip
>
> I'm marking my calendar already. Is there going to be an autocross
> again? I'm trying to round up the troops for a larger New England
> presence this year. Bob R. has a new fleet and I'm working a few
> others too (that means you Dave O.) Anyone have a car transport we can
> rent for the weekend, we have truck driver in the group.
>
> Dave Cover, newest member of the NEEAA



------------------------------

Message: 7
Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:22:58 -0800
From: Steven Lough <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [EVDL] iMIEV byers  Wish List - Lets START One
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED],  Electric Vehicle Discussion List RCVR
        <ev@lists.sjsu.edu>,    [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

BOY...  This is one sweet little car.  And I would think that Mitsubishi 
has the BUCKS to get the car DOT Certified in the US.(if they wanted to)

I think we should start a "I want to buy and I MiEV"  Waiting list to 
put a little Retail Pressure on Mitsubishi USA,
like the VOLT Waiting Lists

I'm not Savy enough with HTML, or BLOG Code, etc. to set one up, but I 
am sure there are folks on my "To: " list above that are....

 From the EVDL:
Mitsubishi inovative EV,
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrives/217122/mitsubishi_i_miev.html
-- 
Steven S. Lough, Pres.
Seattle EV Association
6021 32nd Ave. N.E.
Seattle,  WA  98115-7230
Day:  206 850-8535
Eve:  206 524-1351
e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
web:     http://www.seattleeva.org



------------------------------

Message: 8
Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 10:00:34 -0700
From: Bill Dennis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: [EVDL] Metro motor removal
To: Electric Vehicle Discussion List <ev@lists.sjsu.edu>
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

I left the transmission in when I removed the engine on my 93 metro, 
mostly because I wasn't confident enough in my limited mechanical skills 
to remove and reattach the axles.  Getting the engine out was tough 
because its shaft kept catching on the bell housing.  I end up jacking 
the car up fairly high, then have someone push  way down on the bell 
housing so I could slip the enough out on an angle below.

Bill Dennis



------------------------------

Message: 9
Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:32:24 -0500
From: Ben <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: [EVDL] iMIEV byers Wish List - Lets START One
To: "Electric Vehicle Discussion List" <ev@lists.sjsu.edu>
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

I'd suggest using a site like this: http://www.petitiononline.com/

On Thu, Feb 14, 2008 at 12:22 PM, Steven Lough <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> BOY...  This is one sweet little car.  And I would think that Mitsubishi
> has the BUCKS to get the car DOT Certified in the US.(if they wanted to)
>
> I think we should start a "I want to buy and I MiEV"  Waiting list to
> put a little Retail Pressure on Mitsubishi USA,
> like the VOLT Waiting Lists
>
> I'm not Savy enough with HTML, or BLOG Code, etc. to set one up, but I
> am sure there are folks on my "To: " list above that are....
>
>  From the EVDL:
> Mitsubishi inovative EV,
> http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrives/217122/mitsubishi_i_miev.html
> --
> Steven S. Lough, Pres.
> Seattle EV Association
> 6021 32nd Ave. N.E.
> Seattle,  WA  98115-7230
> Day:  206 850-8535
> Eve:  206 524-1351
> e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> web:     http://www.seattleeva.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> For subscription options, see
> http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/ev
>



------------------------------

Message: 10
Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:54:44 -0800
From: Steven Lough <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [EVDL] A Van for the Wind Farm Tours
To: Electric Vehicle Discussion List RCVR <ev@lists.sjsu.edu>,
        [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

Great PR, to have an Electric Van for a tour of an Electric Wind Farm.
And obvious connection.

I would "Keep it Simple S...." ( KISS)   What is the most available 
multi-passinger VAN with a simple stick shift ??

VW VANAGAN or even the older Microbus..of course...  No Billion Dollar 
Cable Car, Roller Coaster, Put a stick shift where an Auto Trans was...

Lots of folks have done Vanagan's ( http://www.evalbum.com/type) Lots of 
room for simple flooded lead acid batteries.  A good GVWR.  Regen would 
be nice for the down hill trip..Yes...  One or two trips a week, like 
they were talking...  The thing would last for ever !  ( well almost...) 
  All the components.. off the shelf.

 From the LINK of the Wind Farm Compnay, there was a GREAT Maui TV sopt, 
which even though a little OT for the EVDL, I passed it on to the list, 
and our Seattle list.

Adapter Plates, controllers, etc. all available...

( Wish I could find Grant Money, to come over and help ya.... )
-- 
Steven S. Lough, Pres.
Seattle EV Association
6021 32nd Ave. N.E.
Seattle,  WA  98115-7230
Day:  206 850-8535
Eve:  206 524-1351
e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
web:     http://www.seattleeva.org



------------------------------

Message: 11
Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:51:52 -0800
From: Steven Lough <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [EVDL] OT - Just some follow UP Sustainable Energy on Maui
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], DOUGLAS R TILLOTSON <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
        Electric Vehicle Discussion List RCVR <ev@lists.sjsu.edu>
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

On the Wind Farm...Made me feel GOOD. enjoy:

http://mauitoday.tv/index.php?option=com_seyret&task=videodirectlink&id=1526
-- 
Steven S. Lough, Pres.
Seattle EV Association
6021 32nd Ave. N.E.
Seattle,  WA  98115-7230
Day:  206 850-8535
Eve:  206 524-1351
e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
web:     http://www.seattleeva.org



------------------------------

Message: 12
Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 08:19:33 -1000
From: "martin emde" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: [EVDL] OT - Just some follow UP Sustainable Energy on
        Maui
To: "Electric Vehicle Discussion List" <ev@lists.sjsu.edu>
Message-ID:
        <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

It turns out that our engineering class was visiting the wind farm on the
same day as the governor and the DOE assistant secretary.  If you watch
carefully you can see a few of our students in the background (with hard
hats).  Here is another video link that shows part of the gravel road that
climbs the mountain.

http://www.mauitvnews.com/index.html

Martin Emde
Seabury Hall
www.seaburyhall.org/engineering

On Thu, Feb 14, 2008 at 7:51 AM, Steven Lough <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:

> On the Wind Farm...Made me feel GOOD. enjoy:
>
>
> http://mauitoday.tv/index.php?option=com_seyret&task=videodirectlink&id=1526
> --
> Steven S. Lough, Pres.
> Seattle EV Association
> 6021 32nd Ave. N.E.
> Seattle,  WA  98115-7230
> Day:  206 850-8535
> Eve:  206 524-1351
> e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> web:     http://www.seattleeva.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> For subscription options, see
> http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/ev
>


------------------------------

Message: 13
Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 11:33:38 -0700
From: "Zeke Yewdall" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: [EVDL] Metro motor removal
To: "Electric Vehicle Discussion List" <ev@lists.sjsu.edu>
Message-ID:
        <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Depends on the particular car.  Some you HAVE to remove the
engine/transmission as an assembly because they cannot be assembled in
place.  Some you should remove them separately.  I'd recommend
following the directions in the Chilton's or such... I've tried, with
VW's, not following instructions.... and found out why the
instructions were the way they were...   In the VW, you take apart the
inner CV's to release the transmission, so the axles are still there,
just hanging down.  PITA to reassemble.

Z

On Thu, Feb 14, 2008 at 10:00 AM, Bill Dennis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> I left the transmission in when I removed the engine on my 93 metro,
>  mostly because I wasn't confident enough in my limited mechanical skills
>  to remove and reattach the axles.  Getting the engine out was tough
>  because its shaft kept catching on the bell housing.  I end up jacking
>  the car up fairly high, then have someone push  way down on the bell
>  housing so I could slip the enough out on an angle below.
>
>  Bill Dennis
>
>
>
>  _______________________________________________
>  For subscription options, see
>  http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/ev
>



------------------------------

Message: 14
Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 10:39:53 -0800
From: "Adrian DeLeon" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: [EVDL] Strange pulsing in 12V circuits
To: ev@lists.sjsu.edu
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; delsp=yes;
        charset=iso-8859-15

> It is not just an EV problem. I notice many cars on the road whose
> other lights (brake lights, tail lights, etc) dim slightly (barely
> noticeable) when the turn signal flashes or the brake lights come on.

Ditto to that! Turning on the headlights in my VW causes the 12V meter to  
drop almost 1V! Curiously, turning the heater fan on HI (an even larger  
load) only causes a 0.5V drop. In both cases I still measure a full 13.8V  
at the DC/DC and SLI battery terminals.

On my wife's '05 Accord you can see the headlights dim noticeably if the  
power windows are used.

They're all voltage drops caused by resistance of the miles of wire inside  
the car. Fuses, fusible links, bad connections and corrosion don't help  
much either...

-Adrian



------------------------------

Message: 15
Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 11:49:11 -0800
From: "T. Marshall" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: [EVDL] New Firefly Energy video
To: "Electric Vehicle Discussion List" <ev@lists.sjsu.edu>
Message-ID:
        <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Are any of their products available yet, or is this all just marketing so
far?

-Tyler


On Thu, Feb 14, 2008 at 8:20 AM, Dmitri <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> http://www.fireflyenergy.com/OasisVideo/index.html
>
> _______________________________________________
> For subscription options, see
> http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/ev
>


------------------------------

Message: 16
Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:53:46 -0500
From: "EVDL Administrator" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: [EVDL] gm should sell all without [was GM should sell
        Volt sans       batteries]
To: Electric Vehicle Discussion List <ev@lists.sjsu.edu>
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

On 13 Feb 2008 at 12:22, dale henderson wrote:

> it would be nice if GM [and others] would sell rolling
> chassis of their cars so us and others could put our
> own 'guts' in them. 

GM and Ford have both done so in the past.  In the mid to late 1990s, 
Solectria bought Metro gliders for a time from GM, and another EV converter 
(sorry, can't recall the name) bought Ranger gliders from Ford, before Ford 
launched its own EV Ranger.

However, the US automakers usually have stringent requirements for the 
converters ("qualified upfitters").  They base their requirements on those 
they've long enforced when supplying chassis to commercial vehicle builders, 
RV manufacturers, and conversion van makers.  Solectria had to buy Metros 
from dealers and eviscerate them for years before they finally met all of 
GM's demands to qualify for buying gliders - and a couple of years later GM 
took the Metro out of production anyway, so it was almost all for naught.

Some EV converters have reportedly been able to negotiate less restricted 
arrangements with smaller and/or overseas automakers.  Someone correct me if 
I'm wrong, but I think US Electricar had glider arrangements with Renault 
and Fiat in the early 1980s.  I also heard that a small west coast converter 
got a few gliders from Skoda about 15 years ago.  Some US converters are 
currently getting gliders from Ssangyong, a Korean truck/SUV manufacturer 
owned by a Chinese company.  

The downside is that many of the gliders aren't certified for US FMVSS.  A 
few years ago I recall seeing the odd spectacle of a Ssangyong Musso 
(midsize SUV) being offered - with its top speed limited to 25mph.  The poor 
thing had been castrated to NEV status because it didn't have FMVSS 
certification.

David Roden - Akron, Ohio, USA
EVDL Administrator

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
EVDL Information: http://www.evdl.org/help/
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