http://www.kta-ev.com/ http://www.eaaev.org/eaalinks.html Kirk
Luke Hansen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Thanks for the input Darryl, It saddens me to read about the two failed van conversions, as my van has quite a bit of sentimental value to me, and the block cracked in our big freeze a month ago (quite rare so close to the coast, but we all know that anthropogenic climate change is just a creation of our liberal media). It could just be expansion (freeze) plugs, but I don't feel like dropping the engine just to find out. Granted, the van is one heavy piece of detroit steel, but what exactly is the hang-up? Voltage? Total weight? I'm guessing that most of the batterys' charge is used in overcoming inertia, right? *sigh* 'tis a daunting task at hand...but like the good doctor says, "when the going gets weird, the weird get professional." So, sounds like I can safely rule out the use of a starter motor for a drive motor. Why did the van projects die in progress? --- Darryl McMahon wrote: > I think I might be able to contribute something on > the subject. > > I strongly recommend you visit my Web site first. > You might find > something of interest starting at: > http://www.econogics.com/ev/evindex.htm > > Some other folks have said kind things about the > material there over the > years. > > As to the specific points in your post. > > Forget the 1/2 ton van. Too heavy = too expensive > to accomplish > anything of value. I have personally watched two > Chev van conversion > projects die incomplete. > > 96 volts is pretty conventional, there's lots of > components available > there. However, it's not going to work with > aircraft starter generators. > > Standard automotive batteries (starting, lighting, > ignition: SLI) will > not survive long in a deep-discharge application. > There is plenty of > experience to prove this out. Automotive starter > motors as propulsion > devices will die even faster. They are designed for > short-term > operation (seconds) and a small load (turning the > engine); not > continuous operation or the load of moving the > vehicle. I have driven a > small car on its starter motor in an emergency > situation. Went a few > hundred metres at about 5 km/h. The starter motor > failed shortly > thereafter. > > If this is to be an educational experience, I highly > recommend starting > with something smaller, that can still be useful. > For example, > electrify a bicycle, a garden tractor or other yard > appliance, convert a > motorcycle or scooter, or build an Electrathon > vehicle. You will learn > the same electrical and mechanical fundamentals, but > on a much smaller > budget, and likely end up with something you will > actually use afterward. > > Darryl McMahon > (owner - 1973 Porsche 914 electric conversion, 1973 > General Electric > Elec-Trak E12 tractor, homebrew electric bicycle > based on hub motor, > 1999 Spincraft EB-1 solar electric boat and too many > past, current and > future projects to mention). > > Luke Hansen wrote: > > I'm thinking of attempting a conversion on my 1976 > > Chevy 1/2 ton van. Maybe a simple 96-volt > > system...series wire eight 12V car batteries that > I > > find lying around. The range would suck, but this > is > > more just for shits and giggles anyways. Also, > feel > > free to shoot me down here, but I've heard of > folks > > using their starter motors as drive motors for the > > cars themselves...anyone care to comment? > > > > Thanks, > > Luke > > > > -- > Darryl McMahon > It's your planet. If you won't look after it, who > will? > > The Emperor's New Hydrogen Economy (now in print and > eBook) > http://www.econogics.com/TENHE/ __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
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