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Old 05-28-2008, 12:16 AM   #4 (permalink)
MetroMPG
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,532

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

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

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car Mirage - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 62.14 mpg (US)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony Raine View Post
i guess what i am saying is that i don't really need to do it, i just want to see if i can.
If pure interest is your motivation, then go for it. If saving money is the goal, I predict you'd decide it's not worth pursuing if you properly costed it out (including scheduled battery replacement).

To answer your controller question: no, you don't strictly need one for a DC motor. You can do what was done in the days before pulse width modulation controllers: use a series/parallel switching "contactor controller". EG: if you have a 72v pack, you design a 3-speed circuit that lets you use all the batteries wired for 12v for "creeping", 36v for low power, and 72v for full power.

That said, used 72v controllers are going on eBay these days for a couple hundred bucks.
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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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