Can Classic Cars be converted to EV-DC? - Page 2 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

jjackstone · 02-23-2008, 01:50 PM

The battery weight problem can be solved with enough money. Lithium ions give the same amount of power for a third to half the weight. They also cost several times more than lead acid and they need a much more advanced charging and monitoring system. Check out the setup at Metric Mind.
http://www.metricmind.com/ac_honda/main2.htm
JJ

WaxyChicken · 02-23-2008, 02:02 PM

No, L-Ions would be too expensive for me.
But the Airflyte looks like something i can keep an eye out for.
Thanks Basjoos.

jjackstone · 02-23-2008, 05:58 PM

There is also the possibility of the new Firefly Group 31 batteries. Their specs say they are good for 700-800 recharges at 80-100% Depth of Discharge. Standard deep cycles are good for 200-300 charges at these dod's. Haven't seen a cost on these yet. I expected the weight to be less based on early information by Firefly but I see the batteries are weighing in at about 70 pounds each. Not too different than a standard deep cycle. Here's a link to the spec sheet.

http://www.fireflyenergy.com/images/...t%20012308.pdf

JJ

kustomev · 05-12-2009, 11:48 PM

Hi. I am just new to the forum. I am 4th generation in my family to fix up and modify old cars, and I too am working on building a big old EV. I have a freshly painted 60 fairlane 500 with no powertrain, that I felt would be a good canidate for this project. I have done a fair bit of research over the past year and have realized it is possible to move a car this big down the freeway. Expensive, but possible. just a few quick notes on what I plan to use for main components: 144v system, adc dc fb1-4001 motor, 5 speed trans from either s-10 or ranger, curtis 1231c-8601 motor controller, 24 6v deep cycle batteries. My estimated total weight is 4800 lbs. Heavy but it will be a educational experience if nothing else.

roflwaffle · 05-13-2009, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaxyChicken

Oh well. it was worth a thought.
After all, an electric cherry '57 Chevy would be a sweet thing to brag about.

If it's a manual, or if it can be towed flat, just hybridize it like Coyote did. You will *need to fab a cross-member for the motor, shorten the drive shaft, and get the proper connectors so you can slip the motor on the trans tailshaft and into the driveshaft. A combination pack of high power and low cost LFPs could allow for decent power output along with decent range, or you can optimize for one or the other.

Cost, assuming DIY work for everything except the driveshaft, will probably be ~$5-6k, and get ~30-40 miles of all electric range plus ~30-50rwhp. It would only add ~250-350lbs depending on the setup. We could also fool around with the battery specs to get the same energy/range, less power, and more weight, in order to save a ~$1200 or so. I suppose lead acids would be o.k. to try everything out with, but in terms of cost per kWh stored, which plays a large part in how expensive an EV is, the cheap LFPs from China are hard to beat, provided they perform as per the manufacturer's specs.

*Or maybe even attach the motor to the crank somehow, although I'm not sure if the bearings are made for that much torque/power from the front of the engine.

Russ · 05-13-2009, 11:12 AM

I've been lurking here ever since coming across Ben's Metro thread 3 or 4 weeks ago.

I had been doing some research on this topic too. Seems like a great way to rescue a v6 sixties mustang convertible. I can see it now, where the 289 badge would normally go you get a little emblem that says "DCV". Plus you don't have to pay for or sacrifice an actual 289.

Most of the reading I've done was focused on early 50s pickups. Particularly a '51 Chevy as I found one in decent shape on the web. My thought was the truck suspension would be better suited to handling a battery box in the bed, and also that the wooden floor bed would provide easy access to the undercarriage if another battery box replaced the gas tank.

The truck is heavy of course but it has roll up windows and very few electrical accoutrement. I think they sell disc brake upgrades too. Maybe not that heavy once you pull the old drive train.

Tango Charlie · 05-13-2009, 11:51 AM

I've always thought a '49 Merc replica would make a sweet EV. With a tube chassis and a fiberglass body to keep the weight down. And calling it a 'lead sled' would have double meaning.

Tony Raine · 05-13-2009, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ

I've been lurking here ever since coming across Ben's Metro thread 3 or 4 weeks ago.

I had been doing some research on this topic too. Seems like a great way to rescue a v6 sixties mustang convertible. I can see it now, where the 289 badge would normally go you get a little emblem that says "DCV". Plus you don't have to pay for or sacrifice an actual 289.

Most of the reading I've done was focused on early 50s pickups. Particularly a '51 Chevy as I found one in decent shape on the web. My thought was the truck suspension would be better suited to handling a battery box in the bed, and also that the wooden floor bed would provide easy access to the undercarriage if another battery box replaced the gas tank.

The truck is heavy of course but it has roll up windows and very few electrical accoutrement. I think they sell disc brake upgrades too. Maybe not that heavy once you pull the old drive train.

i assume the "v6" is a typo, but i like the sound of your other ideas

i would love to see a "classic" EV. i would like to do an old ford falcon or falcon-ranchero. smaller, but classic.

i do think a type of on-board generator would be worth it, though

there are multiple places you can shed weight on old iron.

-removal of large iron block motor (ever picked up just the intake manifold from an old car/truck? damn heavy!)
-front fenders/hood trunk lid can be used as molds to make thinner fiberglass replacements. sell originals to re-coup costs
-same with bumpers. mold fiberglass over a lighter section of box steel (for some crash protection)
-replace back windows with lexan
-lighter seats