David's 1996 Civic LX EV

[alohaspirit]

great info and good update

will you have a video up anytime soon?

are you still using the original 8 batteries?



whats your range? (such a typical question but i didnt see it really covered)

[TheSGC]

I do have a video posted on my website in my sig.

Yes, I am still using the original MAXX29 batteries, and I have about 250 miles on them and they are doing just fine. I recently added a little water to them but so far no problems.

As for range, I am estimating a 20 mile to 80% DoD range based upon time to charge after driving, although I have never taken it that far. Right now my Dad is using it to go 14 miles to work, charge and then 14 miles back.

The Kelly does fine until you get to a large hill, then it tanks. The KDH09401 is only rated for 160 AMPs continuous, but I need at least 175 AMPs continuous to maintain speed up those hills. Until I get a new controller built my dad is going to try different routes to find the flattest one available.

[alohaspirit]

I saw that video when I read through your blog.
Just wondering if youll be making any more.


Im finding a trend when it comes to EV owners.
They dont test their full range.


Is this because a battery should never be 100% depleted?

or because they dont want to tow back?

[TheSGC]

Originally Posted by alohaspirit

I saw that video when I read through your blog.
Just wondering if youll be making any more.


Im finding a trend when it comes to EV owners.
They dont test their full range.


Is this because a battery should never be 100% depleted?

or because they dont want to tow back?

Both. Lead Acid batteries should NEVER be taken past 80% depth of charge, or they could reverse cell voltage and die a very quick, possibly instant death. That, and I don't want to be calling AAA for a tow, it's kind of embarrassing and can give electric cars a bad name if people see your EV being towed away.

And yes, I do plan on making more videos, I just don't know when.

[alohaspirit]

you could go 80% DoD then set up some tow straps to pull you the rest of the way


paying for a tow is crazy (over $100+ these days)

[TheSGC]

Originally Posted by alohaspirit

you could go 80% DoD then set up some tow straps to pull you the rest of the way


paying for a tow is crazy (over $100+ these days)

I could set up some sort of towing setup, but I really don't see the need. I do have AAA that will tow me up to 50 miles free. I haven't found the need to push the EV yet for range. I don't want to abuse the MAXX29's so I am charging when ever possible.

It's actually quite amazing what you can do with proper planning. I can do all my around town errands, and even take the EV to visit relatives, charge it up and go home on a full charge. I just need to get a plug at school since it's 17 miles away! I am going to pursue that more this week since I can't have my Dad keep on driving it after spending nearly two years from concept to road legal!

For every hour of charging I get 2 miles of range, which after inefficiencies, equals 250 watt hours per mile for my Civic EV. Not bad for an automatic and all these brutal hills!

[alohaspirit]

i understand


i guess if it were me i would like to know just how far i can go
maybe theres a store 20 miles away that i like to go to
but ive never had it past 17 that sorta thing

im not saying id push the batteries to the brink of death
id just explore the range more (at 80% dod of course)


i like your concept
i live on a hill and going up and down would be murder in an ev
its about 2 miles and the incline would probably cut at least double that in range
so my ears are always open to EV builders who live with hills

[TheSGC]

Well, it's been a few days of being a daily driver and the Kelly NEEDS replacing. We have found a few work arounds for hills, such as timing the drive when no one is around, and going into 1st so the car will move at 15 MPH!

I have placed my left over EV parts up for sale to make money for my controller replacement. I am hoping to get the new Synkromotive controller to get the EV running, and slowly build the Open Source Controller to add all sorts of features, and probably use it in EV2.

EV Parts Lot for Sale - DIY Electric Car Forums

[TheSGC]

Wow, this needs an update:

First, I replaced my MAXX29 pack after 1,000 miles under warranty. They needed an equalization charge, but I didn't know at the time and didn't want to mess around, so I just had them replaced. I have also designed and built a BMS for each battery to try and keep them balanced when charging.

After the new pack was installed, my brakes went on me so I spent about a week replacing everything brake related, new rotors, pads, drums, shoes, etc and went to continue breaking in my new pack when my transmission went on me. I guess after 244,130 miles it was time.....

I have been EV-less for over two weeks while trying to locate a replacement transmission. I found one this past Thursday and bought it and hope to have it today. It's from a local salvage yard and was still in the donor when I arrived at the yard on Thursday. It was supposed to be ready yesterday, but I am still waiting for it.

I also have started to work on installing heat into the EV. I have been using a Ceramic heater on the seat to preheat the EV in the mornings, but I also need something inside to defrost the windshield when the snow comes, so I am looking to install a ceramic element into the EV and have one outside so I can still preheat the EV before driving off.

[vpoppv]

Originally Posted by TheSGC

Wow, this needs an update:

First, I replaced my MAXX29 pack after 1,000 miles under warranty. They needed an equalization charge, but I didn't know at the time and didn't want to mess around, so I just had them replaced. I have also designed and built a BMS for each battery to try and keep them balanced when charging.

After the new pack was installed, my brakes went on me so I spent about a week replacing everything brake related, new rotors, pads, drums, shoes, etc and went to continue breaking in my new pack when my transmission went on me. I guess after 244,130 miles it was time.....

I have been EV-less for over two weeks while trying to locate a replacement transmission. I found one this past Thursday and bought it and hope to have it today. It's from a local salvage yard and was still in the donor when I arrived at the yard on Thursday. It was supposed to be ready yesterday, but I am still waiting for it.

I also have started to work on installing heat into the EV. I have been using a Ceramic heater on the seat to preheat the EV in the mornings, but I also need something inside to defrost the windshield when the snow comes, so I am looking to install a ceramic element into the EV and have one outside so I can still preheat the EV before driving off.

Cool, a ceramic heater on 72v! I thought only the 144v volt guys coud use them....