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Old 04-11-2010, 01:21 PM   #247 (permalink)
TheSGC
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ecorsa View Post
I would argue further the case for higher voltages by saying that more batteries of less AH capacity won't cost much different from fewer of a larger capacity and will weigh about the same for the same total energy storage (comparing like for like).

Also it's difficult to say for sure whether the component cost is higher for high voltage vs high current without looking at specific devices.

I will agree that industrial motors are far from ideal for the application, but they are certainly good value for money, and easy to get hold of.

What I have been looking for is a suitable low cost controller to allow the use of high voltages, this does not exist as yet.
EV conversion will never become mainsteam untill it can create cars with decent performance and range cheaply. I think high voltages are the answer.

What are you considering as "High Voltage"? IGBTs and Diodes are all about the same price since they are 600-1200 volts anyways, it's the capacitors and the sensors that will drive the price up. A very "High Voltage" production EV caps off at about 330 volts, and that isn't too bad. Probably less than $800 worth of parts for the 3 phase inverter. Most of the DIY high voltage EV fall into 156-288 volts using Solectria/Azure/Baldor motors.
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