04-08-2009, 05:24 PM
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#1091 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
Join Date: Aug 2008
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While on the subject of lead acid battery safety, hope you're keeping a box of baking soda and some premixed baking soda and water (for your eyes) handy just in case a battery explodes - not a terribly common occurrence, but you can probably multiplied the chance by the number of batteries in the vehicle.
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04-08-2009, 07:04 PM
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#1092 (permalink)
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EV test pilot
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Here's a video of what 144V does to gravel!
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04-08-2009, 07:23 PM
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#1093 (permalink)
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PaulH
Join Date: Feb 2008
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Ben, that was awesome!!! Sabrina wants to specifically say how much she loved the video too! You really have a knack for movie making.
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04-09-2009, 08:32 AM
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#1094 (permalink)
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Deadly Efficient
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WOW!
The 'ole ElectroMetro has got some kick, now!
__________________
-Terry
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04-09-2009, 03:26 PM
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#1095 (permalink)
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EV test pilot
Join Date: Jan 2008
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More testing of the 144V Cougar.
It went up the one really huge (and long) hill in my area. Car went up it just fine. I was cruising up it at 35 mph at 300 amps. That would have been 600 amps on 72V! Yipes! High voltage works much better!
I also tried a little more gravel spinning. I was hoping just to drag the car forward, but the parking brake wouldn't hold!
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04-09-2009, 03:58 PM
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#1096 (permalink)
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EV test pilot
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Also, the car can hit at LEAST 63 mph now. I hit a speed zone and had to slow down after that.
Is it just my car, or do all Geo Metros seem scary fast at that speed? I can really hear the wind pushing on my car at that speed. We weren't kidding about the aeromods...
My batteries are not really balanced. Doing 72V parallel charging and 144V series driving works in theory, but my batteries are all a little different.
If they were better balanced, all the same age and quality, I'm sure the performance would be better.
I like the idea of individual chargers, as they would help keep the batteries equalized.
Also, I believe that I will NOT be able to get the same speed out of a 48V forklift motor as a person would from a motor specifically designed for an electric vehicle.
Last edited by bennelson; 04-09-2009 at 06:35 PM..
Reason: spelling
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04-09-2009, 04:06 PM
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#1097 (permalink)
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Batman Junior
Join Date: Nov 2007
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Ben: brush timing!
I forget whether I mentioned that in this or some other thread yet.
But if your brushes are set up for 48v or 72v, you're definitely not getting the full potential at 144v now.
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04-09-2009, 04:33 PM
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#1098 (permalink)
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Deadly Efficient
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What do you figure your range will be at 144 volts?
edit: Yes, any Metro is scary above 60 mph. 
__________________
-Terry
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04-09-2009, 05:47 PM
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#1099 (permalink)
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EV test pilot
Join Date: Jan 2008
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In the summer, I was able to do 20 miles with 6 batteries.
With 12 batteries, I should be able to do double that, BUT - I will want to go faster, AND I have the extra weight to carry, so I am expecting to be able to do 30+ miles.
My forklift motor is ENTIRELY STOCK from the forklift. (With the exception of new brushes, a coat of paint, and chopping off that tailshaft....)
It has NOT been re-timed, hod-rodded, or anything else.
I did talk to a motor guy a while back about even THINKING of running 144V through it. He asked if I would be able to get another motor to replace this one if anything went wrong. Yep, I should be able to. "Then go for it."
He also said that what I am doing is turning it into a "Rat Motor".
It's too bad that to change the timing on the motor, I would have to pull out the entire motor and transmission assembly.
There's not even enough room to get the motor and transmission apart from each other while in the car!
Also, the motor end support goes directly into the motor end cap. Rotating the end of the motor means that I wouldn't be able to hold up that end any more.
IF there is enough room, I could pull out the commutator end bolts, disconnect the motor support bolts, rotate the commutator end, drill new holes through the motor end support to match up where the bolt holes line up, THEN I would be able to change the timing without tearing the car completely apart!
I don't think I would have the space to tap new holes to pin the commutator end back in place though!
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04-09-2009, 06:03 PM
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#1100 (permalink)
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Batman Junior
Join Date: Nov 2007
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Ask Husted about it. I'm sure he'll tell you to advance them.
FYI, here's the difference in motor speed (unloaded) at 12v from adjusting brush timing:
Quote:
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Well, we tested the motor today in both directions. With the field connections reversed (compared to "stock"), the motor turns much more slowly: 1480 RPM @ 12 volts, vs. 2275 RPM.
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( From this part of the ForkenSwift thread: http://ecomodder.com/forum/hreshowth...3-post531.html )
I think you'll get more top end out of it with the timing advanced. But your burnouts won't be as spectacular :P)
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