CarBEN Model -- 1/24th scale model and 3D computer model for EV

[NeilBlanchard]

I think "CarBEN EV" or "CarBEN 5" or "CarBEN 5e" it will be the name...

Today's modeling tweaks and color changes:






Some of the changes are obvious and some are subtle: longer hatch windows, revised marker lights, rear wheel access panel "seams", small rear spoiler on roof, window "trim", and the colors! I'm trying to get the upper part to be a pearl white that looks slightly purple-ish in certain light -- fighting with the rendering program is no fun.

[NeilBlanchard]

[NeilBlanchard]

I now have the dimensions of the EiG prismatic lithium cells that FVT is using in their eVaro. They have a little over 300 cells in their 21kWh pack, and they are 3/8" x 10" x 5 1/2" each cell.

So, I have (currently) 22 feet x 10" x 6" so the pack I can fit in the CarBEN EV is about 47-48kWh! :-)

That is about 2.1kWh per linear foot of the 10" x 5 1/2" rectangle. I'm going to see where I can fit a little more...

[NeilBlanchard]

Here's the first image of the CarBEN with the hatch "open":

[Rokeby]

Neil,

I suspect that to be legal you will need the brake lights and turn signals to
wraparound more from the rear to the sides or more of the LED treatment that
you appear to already be using at the front.

Keep up the good work.

[Patrick]

Since it's based on the Mercedes Bionic car and will use a Smart car windshield, you could call it the CarBENz.

[NeilBlanchard]

Good one Patrick!

I do have the rear turn signals and the tail/brake lights on the side.

Here are some images with both the hatch and the two rear doors open, with a 5'-9" tall SketchUp dude standing on the floor at the rear of the car:




In this image it shows the exhaust air slots (just below the amber turn signal LED's), so the air is pulled through the inside of the car.




Then images of the same version with the doors closed:

In the next image it shows the exhaust air slots (just below the amber turn signal LED's), so the air is pulled through the inside of the car.

[NeilBlanchard]

Latest video of CarBEN EV Mk 3.4:

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi y'all,

These were rendered by Robert Scott, in Thea Render, and I think they look very good. I modeled the car in SketchUp, and I have been doing the 2D "working drawings" in DataCAD X3. The ability to XRef SketchUp (v7) files into X3 and then cut sections, from them is really helpful.

I think Thea is head and shoulders better than the IDX Renditioner that I have been trying out -- it puts the shadow on the ground, and it reflects the bitmap image in the surfaces of the model very effectively. If it wasn't for the watermarks, these might pass as photos to the casual viewer...

[NeilBlanchard]

Here's a couple more done by Robert Scott: