Ben's Refurbished Mitsubishi Miev

[mechman600]

Great video, Ben. Crappy results, though.
I wonder how much a bunch of CALB LiFePO4 replacements + BMS would cost. Probably more than what would make this project financially viable, hey?

[bennelson]

I removed one of the blocks of cells from the main battery.

Looks like the whole thing is built from blocks of four cells arranged together with a BMS circuit-board built right in. (Of course that is shot!)

I dragged it inside and washed it off in my bathtub, popped the cover, scrubbed the BMS with a tooth-brush and give it a once-over.

More info and photos on my blog:
Bathtub o’ Lithium!

[greif]

My wife would have sliced my jewels off if I would do that!

[Jyden]

Incredibly they didn't seal the prints with laquer for protection in an under car environment... Dosen't look good for new owners in the northern hemisfere with lots of wintersalt on the roads. That stuff get everywhere.

But offcours none build their cars to be submerged in salty water though!

Looks like you have to recoupe your money from parting it up? Or will you go for at 2. hand batterypack with BMS system?

[bennelson]

Originally Posted by greif

My wife would have....

Hey! I washed the tub out really good when I was done!

Seriously though, it's freezing cold outside, and where else would I do this!? I was lucky the other day that we had good weather and it got above freezing when I hosed off the main battery pack. (I have a frost-proof spigot, so I don't have to turn off my outside water for the winter. If it's above freezing for a day, I can use it.)

At this point, it looks like I'll be parting the car out. It would be MAJOR work to get it running as original. (Although it would make a sleeper if converted to DC electric with a monster series-wound motor!)

I'm hoping that some of the lithium cells are salvagable for other projects. This appears to be the correct info on the cells themselves.
Lithium Energy Japan | Products Information

Here's a link to a PDF technical paper on the cells. http://www.gs-yuasa.com/us/technic/vol5/pdf/05_1_021.pdf


On another weird note...
Somebody joked about "At least you can collect the Federal Tax Credit!" Which I immediately brushed off, but hey wait... Why couldn't I claim the EV Tax Credit?

Here's the United States 2012 tax info:
www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8936.pdf
http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Plug-I...30-and-IRC-30D)

Assuming it stays the same for the 2013, that's worth a $2500 tax credit, right? Any accountants or lawyers here who want to read through that form for me?

[user removed]

You bought an EV that had never been sold before. I would certainly try to take the credit. Worst thing that could happen is you have to pay the money back.

regards
Mech

[bennelson]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

You bought an EV that had never been sold before....

That appears to be key.
While the vehicle was already OWNED by the dealership, and then their insurance company, I'm the first one to USE the vehicle.

Oh well, we are at the beginning of a new year now, so I have until next year to figure this out and file 2013 taxes!

[rmay635703]

I would think the motor, batteries and chassis are usable after extreme work.

What I have a feeling is not usable is
1. Wires & Electronics
Charger
Controller
BMS

Just the small stuff right.

[bennelson]

I haven't disassembled anything from the drive-train yet, but all of those components are pretty robust and designed to take some weather.

Some of the electronics - the EV-ECU, the Battery-ECU, and one or two other thing-a-majiggers were under the back seat. None of that is weather resistant at all, and all of that was under water.

The motor controller (INVERTER) mounts directly on top of the electric motor and looks pretty nicely sealed up.

The battery charger and DC/DC converter all also outside the vehicle as part of the driveline, and also sealed and robust looking.

I'll have to shoot some video when I get a chance showing off what parts are where.

[Xist]

Well, you should be able to claim the tax credit. That might be the only real good news of the entire experience. I really hope that you can!