David's 1996 Civic LX EV - Page 3 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

TheSGC · 01-16-2009, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPaulHolmes

A blower will make a huge difference! I have a 60 pound 6.7" motor. It's rated at 24v 103amp for 1 hour, and I'm running it at 72v. The car weighs around 2000-2200 pounds, and the motor would get really hot after about 5 miles of hard driving. Now, with the blower it only gets warm after similar driving. The difference is like night and day.

That is definitely good to know! I am still working on the grill cover to connect the blower to the motor, but right now it's so cold the blower isn't quite needed. My last few trips the motor has been cool, probably due to better EV style driving, but I want this sucker as idiot proof as possible.

TheSGC · 01-24-2009, 07:48 PM

Well I just hit the EV jackpot! I got the following parts from a lot:
Advanced DC FB1-4001A Motor
4/0 Gauge Cabling with lugs already installed
Curtis 900R 120 Volt Fuel Gauge
Curtis DC-DC Converter 120 volt input 300 Watts
K&W BC-20 Battery Charger with LB-20 Line booster
Albright Contactors, 200 AMPs and 100 AMPs
Volt/AMP meters and Shunts

And I also got a Motor Coupling and Adapter plate for a Chevy S-10 and the FB1-4001A motor. Check out my site for pics: Civic Electric Car Conversion

My dad and I have decided that the K99-4007 just isn't up to the task on these hills, so I went forth and searched for upgrades. I hit it big this weekend and now have so many EV parts it's rediculous!

Daox · 01-25-2009, 11:19 AM

Well, that setup should really make due in your Civic! Congrats on the find.

TheSGC · 01-25-2009, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daox

Well, that setup should really make due in your Civic! Congrats on the find.

I can't wait to try it! I am going to have to get new plates made up, but my coupler is fine, I just have to order a new $3.99 taper locking piece to fit this larger motor shaft.

I think this motor weighs as much as the original engine, so I am hoping performance will be much better. Hopefully this week I will finish cleaning up the motor and bench test it. I got this chalk stuff that I am supposed to put on the brushes and it will clean the commutator when I test it.

Daox · 01-26-2009, 09:24 AM

Interesting. I've used an abrasive stick thing on R/C car motors that cleans the commutator. But, you have to turn the motor by hand. This isn't a problem as its only about 1.5" in diameter. I wonder your stuff differs? Please take pictures for us!

MetroMPG · 01-26-2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSGC

Well I just hit the EV jackpot!

Wow - that is quite a jackpot. Mind me asking what it cost? ("YES, I mind!" is an acceptable answer.)

TheSGC · 01-26-2009, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Wow - that is quite a jackpot. Mind me asking what it cost? ("YES, I mind!" is an acceptable answer.)

I probably should have mentioned that! It was a grand total of $600 USD!

I have the motor mostly cleaned up, but I have to get the old coupling off the main shaft, and remove the dead RPM sensor from the secondary shaft. There's no rust on the shaft, but they must have used Loctite or something because they are really on there! I just borrowed a puller remover that I hope will work, or else I'll have to bring it to a machine shop.

I am still dismantling the plates and coupling and making sure I keep all the screws/bolts. The charger is next on my list, and it is currently setup as an outboard charger, with a heavy duty cable and connection designed to be place in the gas cap of the car!

bennelson · 01-26-2009, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSGC

I probably should have mentioned that! It was a grand total of $600 USD!

I am SO jealous!

That's almost a turn-key EV. Just add batteries.

If you are just looking to get rid of that S10 adapter plate, I know somebody who would love to experiment with it...

TheSGC · 01-31-2009, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bennelson

I am SO jealous!

That's almost a turn-key EV. Just add batteries.

If you are just looking to get rid of that S10 adapter plate, I know somebody who would love to experiment with it...

I was hoping to get a few bucks for it, but it's being stubborn and not coming off the transmission so we'll see. Unless you know someone who wants a coupling with a tranny stuck to it...

I am developing a plan at the moment on when to install the better parts. I want to have a new suspension system in my hands, and the money gathered to have the machine shop make the new plates. I could do them myself again, but I spent two weeks slaving away at them with a battery powered DeWalt that would go for 20 minutes at a time. With classes started again, I don't have the time to cut them and align them.

TheSGC · 07-11-2009, 07:03 PM

Wow, I haven't updated this in quite a bit...

Now the EV has the FB1-4001A motor in it and has become a daily driver! I have my K&W BC-20 installed in the car, everything properly bolted down and now my Dad is using to drive to work until I can get my own plug at school.

I have a few things to do, like new brakes and upgrade the suspension. I also need a more powerful controller for some of these hills around here, so I am going to try to build the OpenSource EV controller once I can get some way of making the large power PCB section.

I also put up for sale my left over EV parts: Electric Vehicle Conversion Parts