1,000 Euro EV Build
 

So I'm starting a new project. Probably quite insane but I think I can pull it off. In short, I'm going to try and perform a practical EV conversion on a BMW E36 for 1,000 Euros or less. I have set the following rules :

1) No lead acid batteries allowed
2) Range of 40 miles and top speed of at least 70mph
3) Total conversion cost including batteries of one thousand Euros or less

Now, I'm not totally mad (ok I'm halfway there) as I can now seem to get Opel Ampera / Chevy Volt packs for around the 500/600 Euro mark here in Ireland. I think this leaves me enough room to do a nice simple DC conversion with all the normal addons like power steering/brakes/heat etc.

I picked up the cheapest E36 in Ireland for 200 Euros. A 96 saloon with ....wait for it......248,000 miles on the clock, a truly horrific 4 cylinder diesel engine and a smell of sheep from the interior...

Stay tuned to see if (when) I screw this up:)

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...7&d=1519911592

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...6&d=1519911565

Should be interesting! :)

I'll watch! :thumbup:

I have no clue about the costs there in Ireland, but with €1000 it would be impossible to do a similar project in my country even if lead-acid batteries weren't out of question.

What motor would you consider to use? Would a rear-end out of a Rav4 4WD hybrid be out of question? BTW what are you going to do with the old engine?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_3_Series_%28E36%29

About 2700lb? Do you expect to gain, lose or maintain the weight?

Have you followed the locals on open-source controllers?

What's you budget/plan for the battery box?

Win or lose, it will be fun to watch. :thumbup: I have a donor vehicle with a 1750lb target weight and also a Lexus LX400h drivetrain. If I could complete a conversion from that point for US$1250 (with a heat pump) I'd be stoked.


Whelp, nevermind. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8s...HKV-S_oz3JH3qw

I watched the i3 first spin. I have trouble with the terminology but the first commenter Max Torque describes something that sounds like the buried magnets Toyota HSG uses to counter back-EMF at high RPMs.

So as not to go off-topic I looked at http://ecomodder.com/forum/search.php?searchid=2968467 but I don't see an i3 build thread. Could you show putting one in a Beetle for me? :)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_3_...36)#Drivetrain
5/6 manual/auto?

That does sound mad. This should get interesting. Have you ever done a conversion before? (I have not, though I "built" my ebike selecting the parts myself.)

California98Civic — I've followed his work for a few years. Check out the channel page at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8s...HKV-S_oz3JH3qwhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iQ2dOEu4-g

I'm looking forward to this one as that's in the doable price range. One of my favorite BMW's as well.

So ... THAT`s why you are interested in the original 500A Cougar controller
 

I see why you have a sudden interest in Paul`s old 500A MOSFET design.

Well, I`m in. And subscribed. If you have any interest, I have Adam`s updated windows (7, 8, 10) program for the streaming data from Paul`s Cougar controller. But Adam will likely send it to you himself.

[waves]

I always wanted to use the one named Open Revolt. :)

Yes please send the lot:) Thanks!

Next episode is out : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaOunO7O_AU

This is great. Looking forward to your further build videos.

You're building my dream car for my dream price. Watched the video. I'd be interested in seeing a quick video on a motor overhaul for use in an EV. I think there are a few on YouTube though, so if you don't want to that's fine.

Whipped up a simple little through hole board to drive the low sides of two 600A IGBT half bridge modules. Based on the ACNW3190 driver chip.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1521055222

Here's a little blast from the past. Still going strong 4 years later:)

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...2&d=1521057878

Simple little low side driver board for the two 600A igbt modules.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1521141918

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...2&d=1521141930

Next episode is out :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlB2Lb5PsCg

There are gassers that can offer about 2300 rpm at 75 mph, maybe, but not many. My 1993 Civic CX manual transmission is one. Why do you prefer that particular range? It is about power and efficiency, maybe?

Seen it. Youtube is spreading the word. :thumbup:

Watched all three videos now. I hope you will let us know the cost of all the required repairs you covered on the last video. I know it's not part of your actual conversion budget goal, but I think the overall cost of getting a vehicle on the road is important to know. It still affects the feasibility of a project.

Will do:)

Old skool tuesday. Testing out my simple twin module gate driver based on the ACNW3190.

A man after my own heart!

Best part:

Of course it did.

Subscribed to this fun project.

Nice snow suit! As you sell more parts, like the whole engine and accesories or just the block for scrap and the accesories as individual parts... I'd love to see how your budget progresses.

Thx!

James

electric power steering pump going in :)

What pump are you using? Are you going to just power it with a 12v supply or make a controller for it?

Testing the electric power steering system : https://youtu.be/GD5K6TmF5PY

This part never gets old :)

Kewl!