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Old 05-30-2009, 12:50 AM   #4 (permalink)
TomEV
Ford Escort 2.0
 
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Alameda, CA
Posts: 240

Electricar - '89 Ford Escort LX Hatchback
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I did a bit of testing on the car - Six of the batteries initially measured a bit over 5 volts, and two were somewhat less at 4.5 volts. Hooked up a 12v charger to two of the OLD (really, really old... date code is March of 1994) batteries that have sat discharged for at least the past ten years and let the charger run for a couple of hours. It never got above 12.88 volts.

While they were charging, I moved a cable from the motor to bypass the original controls. Disconnecting the battery charger, I attached jumper cables to the motor (rear end on jack stands) and voila - the motor came to life! Even the speedometer works as it indicated 20 MPH... Not bad for 15 year old T-105s and a vehicle that hasn't seen power in 10 years!

After the promising battery/motor test, I tried out the forward/reverse contactor. It works as well. Beginning to think it may be able to motivate itself soon!

A local tire shop had some used 12" and 13" 'skinny tires' that were up in their attic collecting dust. For some reason the rims that came with the car were two 12" and two 13" (should have been four 13"). Since the 12" tires are 155R12 on a different than stock offset rim, they had to go on the back for now. The 145SR13 tires are OK on the front, so the Comutacar is back on its own feet. More to follow as time permits...
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