CarBEN EV5 Full Sized Prototype Construction - 5 Seat Electric Car From Scratch

[samwichse]

The cheapest, most available electric rack is probably the one from the Honda civic hybrid. Lots if those in junkyards with bad CVT transmissions.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Question: is steering by wire legal?

Yes, it is, but its use has been more limited to some adaptations for disabled drivers.
EMC

[IamIan]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Question: is steering by wire legal? If so, are there electric steering racks available?

Yes.
Nissan Q50 Infinity 2014 offered it.

Might be available as rooster pointed out from a mobility aid retrofit company .. or in a few years some Q50 Infinities will end up in a junk yard somewhere.

I imagine eventually (decades from now) all cars will be.

[samwichse]

But the Q50 retains its entire mechanical steering linkage in case of failures. So even the some "drive by wire" car on the market still has the additional weight of the mechanical system... I'd suspect due to legal reasons.

And of course the fact that the system was under development for 10 years and seems to be slated for the dust bin after being in actual cars just one year (apparently the next refresh does away with it).

I would say "not a great idea."

[minispeed]

Hi Neil,

Saw your post over on mynissanleaf and knew that name was familiar so I came looking.

I haven't read the whole thing but noticed you talking about the prius transaxle. I was just reading some DIYelectriccar posts yesterday and came across this....

1991 MR2 + 2004 Prius Transaxle - DIY Electric Car Forums

Lots of info in there that's pretty in depth (I think) and above my current knowledge of conversions (looking for a near bolt/weld on in 5+ years) but it sounds promising and a good value vs a conversion kit.

[NeilBlanchard]

The Toyota MGR unit has been discussed recently, and I am seriously considering it; but not the Prius transaxle.

[synergy]

Love this Thread so far. Or really far.

I saw you mentioning leaf batteries earlier. I think that would be an AWESOME IDEA. Theres a place I found selling them for somewhat cheap.

NEW Vectrix Lithium Conversion 9kW/h Battery Pack 136V/60Ah - 18 Nissan Leaf Modules

They also have 12KWH half packs from leafs but are out of stock. Its essentially 2500$ for 10KWH. Order 4 and you'd have essentially 2 leafs worth of power for 10k not too shabby.

[NeilBlanchard]

That is a good price for that much capacity. I'd have to learn more about their temperature requirements.

I am a long way away from buying a battery for CarBEN. There are a lot of engineering hurdles to get to that point.

[stankoprowski]

Has CarBen stopped permanently?

[NeilBlanchard]

No, I am still intending to work on CarBEN. We had to do an emergency repair of our main bathroom, and I am working full time in an architectural office. I have to expand my garage, or buy a Quonset hut, so I have room to work.