Ben Nelson's Electro-Metro Build thread

[bennelson]

If I got the Miata, the first thing I would do is sell off the engine. It is in (poorly) but running condition. I'm sure somebody would want it.

The charger with the forklift is a 240V - I think it is single phase.

I am looking at a battery pack weight of between 700 and 1000 lbs.

[bennelson]

I arranged today for a tow-truck driver to pick up the forklift on Monday (or Tues if we get snow again)

The truck is one of those flat-beds they use for transporting all-wheel drive cars. The bed tilts down and then hoists the vehicle up onto the truck.

I will need to dig up some scrap wood this weekend to put down on the driveway, so I have a place to put the forklift.

[SVOboy]

Nice! I can't wait to see some pictures of the tear down,

[MetroMPG]

Awesome news.

BTW - the link to that EV Miata you posted above? Smal world: I've seen that car. Since its EV album entry was done, that same car has been converted into a series hybrid, with a bio-d genset in the trunk.

It's featured in this book.

Oh, and in this video:

http://www.youtube.com/v/Rba3_S3AobY

[bennelson]

Another possibility: an old VW Rabbit - hard to beat for lightweight!
http://madison.craigslist.org/car/560798296.html

[SVOboy]

I think the rabbit is a fun looking car, but for mind-changing the miata is about 20 degrees cooler.

[bennelson]

yep, gotta agree with you there. I have seen some photos of some pretty cool CRXs too. Haven't found any inexpensive ones yet that aren't rustbuckets.

[diesel_john]

OLd Rabbits are aero inefficient. In fact a stock rabbit can only go 70MPH on 52HP. They rust out too, mine has a full length aluminum frame between the bottom and the belly pan. i was going to suggest a little diesel/gen. in back, but didn't. One that would burn about a pint an hour wide open.

[roflwaffle]

Originally Posted by diesel_john

In fact a stock rabbit can only go 70MPH on 52HP.

Depends on the trans. If ya don't mind staying in 4th, they should be able to do at least 80mph on flat ground.

[GenKreton]

Great thread - its awesome that it is progressing so quickly. I hope you litter it with pictures once the work starts.

[bennelson]

This particular Rabbit looks like it has a pretty nice body on it - it has been garaged for the last few years.

Granted - they aren't ideal in the aerodynamics department.

I am trying to find a car that is the balance of Cheap, Aerodynamic, Light, Cool-looking, Good Body. And must have a manual transmission.

I am not going to find something that fits all those requirements equally.

The Rabbit fits cheap, light, good body. Doesn't fit aerodynamic or cool.

A Miata would be cool, fairly light, aerodynamic, but not cheap and really wouldn't be practical for winter.

Other cars would be a mix of the above characteristics.

[WaxyChicken]

Don't forget battery space.

[GenKreton]

You definitely want an el camino

[bennelson]

I HAVE A FORKLIFT IN MY DRIVEWAY!!!

Hired a tow-truck driver to move it for me. Pretty tall once it was up on the back of the truck.

We had to go under a 12'6" bridge before getting on the highway. You should have seen how slow he drove under it. The road actually sloped a little, so the driver had to lower the air suspension on the back of the truck to make it! I wish I had a photo!

I pulled out my video camera to tape it - but it didn't record!!!

Anyhow - I now have a forklift in my driveway. I am also starting the accounting on this project. It was $500 for the forklift, and $180.30 for the trucking. (It was a 30 mile+ trip, and they charge by the mile)

I also feel sort of stupid in that I completely MIS-COUNTED the motors on this thing. It has 3 NOT 2 motors on it. The third one is largest of them all. I thought it was a container or resevoir or something!

In theory, this thing runs. I am tempted to hook up 3 Optima batteries to it and try it out....

Anyways, you can see some photos on my web page at:
here

Scroll towards the bottom to see the photos of it in the driveway.

Hmmm - "Forkendriveway" - good name for a vehicle....

[bennelson]

PS:

I also took a look at a $500 '97 Dodge Neon the other day. Looks like a pretty decent car in terms of transmission and layout. I think I want to go with something lighter though. Specs I found on the internet said it's around 2500 lbs.

Would be a good car for me for a gasoline beater.

[MetroMPG]

AWESOME.

I love pictures of $500 forklifts in residential driveways!



Looks like you've got plywood under the drive wheels. I'd hook up some batts and get the little rear ones on something too - they're the ones that'll do the most damage.

We only had to ship 18 km, so the price for us was $125. But scrap metal prices are much higher now than they were almost 2 years ago, so you're going to do better in that department, I suspect.

Great news, and can't wait to follow along!

[WaxyChicken]

Congratulations, Nelson - it looks like you're off to an official start!

[SVOboy]

Nice! Can't wait to see how much faster your project goes than darin's.

[bennelson]

Does the above look at all dangerous to you?


5:03 PM

IT'S ALIVE!

I hooked up 3 Optima Yellow Tops from the electric motorcycle to the forklift with my cheap-o jumper cables.

No sparks - nothing scary at all happened. I turned on the key and.....


It works.


I can raise and lower the forks. They also tilt and extend straight out. I tested the drive on it too. That works, but I only moved it a tiny bit. This particular one was known to accidently back over people, so I didn't ride it around my driveway.

(also it is freezing rain out right now, so that's not fun anyways.)

The horn works too - everything except the little flashing yellow light on top!

I also found service information in a plastic bad hidden away in the motor compartment. Looks like this lift was used from 1993 to 2002. There was a lot of work done on it early in its life, including replacing motors. There was also a "work done" service sheet in there on top from 2002 saying that everything checked out good other than "needs RH guide".

The seller said that this lift had been just taking up space at their test facility. For five years?. Looks like it got all tuned up and then just sat there.

I added a couple photos on my web page including one showing the forks extended.

Sure wish I had a taller garage. Supposed to get a blizzard tommorow. Just put a tarp over it I guess.

[SVOboy]

Exciting news! You should so get off the mac site and run your own blog, for it! Or just post here,