My EV 1976 VW batteries died. Help

[SolarCedar]

My EV Wilderness EV 72 V electric motor is fine, its the cheap walmart batteries that died. I don't want to mess with my darling little bug any more. Any suggestions for how to sell it?
thanks,
SolarCedar in Colorado's western slope

[Frank Lee]

Tell me where it is and I'll bring the flatbed.

[SolarCedar]

Are you wanting to buy it?

[Ryland]

For selling it there is

Ebay.com

Craigslist.com

EV Tradin Post: Electric Vehicle Classifieds

Local electric auto club chapters.

Of course you are going to have an easier time selling it if someone can drive the car before handing you money and for that you might see how old your batteries are and see if they are still under warranty.

[SolarCedar]

Thanks for the suggestions Ryan!
Unfortunately I took out the batteries, battery holder and Rhino-lined compartment as I thought I was going to replace them with some AGM batteries. But then I lost my job and can't afford the $1500 for new batteries and charger. It does run but then not too many people go on trust now days... I still have the batteries and all the stuff but its disassembled in my garage.

[Ryland]

Are the batteries still under warranty?
It's hard to find AGM batteries that are designed as traction batteries, they tend to be weak and wear out quickly.
How much for the car as it sits?
Also what size are the batteries that you had in it, range, top speed and so one would be nice to know as well.

[SolarCedar]

Wilderness EV Electric Vehicle Conversion Kit #2 for VW's including a D & D ES-15A Series motor 40 HP Peak - 12 HP Continuous, Alltrax 7245 (vdc/450 amp) Controller, an adapter plate, Shaft coupler -motor to flywheel, 0-5k Throttle box, Contactor - Kilovac EV200 (2000 amp rupture 200 amp continuous),Fuse - 500 amp slow blow, 50 mv - 500 Amp shunt, 0-150 VDC Volt meter, 0-500 Amp meter, Gage
Bracket for meters, battery charger - 12vdc 6/4/2 a,[ (smart charge) and attending cables and terminals. 9 - 8 volt batteries power the 72 volt system. 1 - 12 volt battery power;the lights, wipers, fan, heater, horn, etc. The vehicle has a top speed of 55 mph with a range of up to 45 miles.
I repainted it from a gray to a pearl blue, put new wheels on it, air shocks in back, replaced the window roll-up mechanism and window seals. Its sweet!
The batteries have died after much use. They were cheap walmart Energizer GC8 batteries. I was going to replace them with AGM batts but lost my job and can't afford to do that. Unfortunately I removed the batteries, the rack and the Rhino lined box they were in. The warranty is expired for the batteries. It wasn't that easy to get a Walmart any way as I live about 40 miles from one and my bug doesn't have the speed needed to go on the highway (the only way to get there from my small rural town). Too dangerous to drive it with all those big 4X4 oil drilling and fracking trucks going 95 mph and riding up behind me.
It is all in my garage waiting for the perfect DYI person to come along and continue the saga. I have put about $9000 into the whole thing since May of 2009.

[rmay635703]

If you still have the batteries, get a cheap 12v/6v battery charger, charge them up at a very low rate for several days keeping them watered, if you can get the batteries up to at least 5.8v on a 6v battery they are good enough to make the car start and move a couple feet.

Having an inop car and selling it will result in a salvage value selling price a good chunk of the time.

If it runs (even if not well) it is always better than in pieces.