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Old 12-28-2011, 05:24 PM   #10 (permalink)
MetroMPG
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,534

Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 54.46 mpg (US)

Appliance car Mirage - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 57.73 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,082
Thanked 6,979 Times in 3,614 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by mechman600 View Post
I have access to a nearly unlimited supply of battery cores, many of which are still okay. I'm thinking 6 group 34 batteries for 72V. As my batteries croak I can continuously replace them. And 6-12V chargers.
Wow. This is the motherlode! Lucky you.

We lucked out similarly with the ForkenSwift, in that whenever someone in the EV group in Ottawa was getting rid of their 6v golf cart batteries because they weren't delivering enough range anymore, we have been able to pick them up for not much more than scrap value. They still have value in a light car driven short distances in a small city.

We've changed packs something like 3 times now, and there's yet another "new to us" pack waiting in the wings. (OK, sitting on my garage floor.)

Quote:
I will need speeds of 35-40 mph on the flat and a range of 8 miles. My commute is exactly 4 miles. Slightly down hill on the way to work and uphill towards home. I will charge at work just to make sure.
Will this work?
To put things in perspective, you can use the 48v/400A, 2070 lb ForkenSwift for comparison. It will eventually get to 60 km/h (40ish mph). But it's slow accelerating above, say 40 km/h. 0-50 km/h on the level takes roughly 20-25 seconds, flat out.

If you love your old Volvo, then go for it. You'll just have to compensate for the added mass with more batteries/higher voltage & more energy consumption.

Where to look for forklift motors? Call some of the forklift service places near where you live. That's where the ForkenSwift's motor came from.
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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
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