David's 2001 Civic EV (80-100 mile range; 65+ MPH; 8 second 0-60)

[sheepdog 44]

Definitely get LRR tires in spring, it'll do wonders. Civic VX, or Civic Hybrid wheels will help a little more. Will you be doing some aero-optimization? Now that you don't have an engine you can do a good radiator block, under-panel the entire engine bay, and the whole bottom of the car since there isn't any emissions equipment getting in the way. Airdam the front with lawn edging. That should should reduce your wh/mi.

[TheSGC]

Originally Posted by sheepdog 44

Definitely get LRR tires in spring, it'll do wonders. Civic VX, or Civic Hybrid wheels will help a little more. Will you be doing some aero-optimization? Now that you don't have an engine you can do a good radiator block, under-panel the entire engine bay, and the whole bottom of the car since there isn't any emissions equipment getting in the way. Airdam the front with lawn edging. That should should reduce your wh/mi.

I have 15" wheels so I need to work with that size. I am considering grill blocking, but right now I am relying on that to cool the motor and controller. A full under body panel would be nice, I'll have to look into that.

[TheSGC]

I haven't done too much with my EV recently, except for driving it! But today I decided to insulate my heater element. I've noticed that at high speeds it would cool off and the cabin didn't get as warm. So today I jacked up the car and wrapped the KATs heater core with piping insulation and gave it a ride and it seemed much better.

I only have 3 weeks left of the semester, then I can get back to tweaking and improving my EV! I have also done all of my Wh/Mi measurement from the wall, but its not accurate! My charge is 92% efficent, so that means my real Wh/Mi from the pack is usually 268 wh/mi! I am getting closer to my 250 wh/mi figure, I still need to pump up my tires but I don't have a working tire pressure gauge so I need to pick one up.

[adamj12b]

Originally Posted by TheSGC

I still need to pump up my tires but I don't have a working tire pressure gauge so I need to pick one up.

Why stop at a local gas station? They usually have compressors there. Its pretty much the only reason to go to one any more.

-Adam

[TheSGC]

Originally Posted by adamj12b

Why stop at a local gas station? They usually have compressors there. Its pretty much the only reason to go to one any more.

-Adam

I've thought about it, maybe I will stop by the Mobil and fill up my tires.

I did increase my AMP limit from 520A to 600A and that gave me a nice little boost when taking off in 2nd. Someday I'll get liquid cooling and see what 1,000A feels like in driving.

[Cobb]

Have you notice anything that defys logic or common thinking? Like its more efficient to accelerate up hills, etc. Any idiosyncrasy (SP?) driving your EV?

[TheSGC]

I haven't found too much, except that I end up using a little less power by driving at 45 MPH instead of 35 MPH on the main roads. I'm still playing with the gearing, I usually end up shifting to 3rd at 30 MPH, but I think it would be more efficient to shift around 35 MPH.

At some point soon I am going to hook up my Tach, I have Friday off so I might work on it then.

[TheSGC]

I now have over 1,600 miles on my EV and the only issues I have found is that the little 5v reed relay I am using to run the relays for the heater sometimes gets stuck. I picked up some nicer, higher current relays a few weeks ago but tonight I'll put them in.

Today I am finishing up my finals, then I can get back to working on the little things on my EV.

[Daox]

Sounds like its working out really well!

What is on the list of things yet to do?

[TheSGC]

Originally Posted by Daox

Sounds like its working out really well!

What is on the list of things yet to do?

Here is my EV to-do list:
- Wire Tachometer
- Replace strut bolt
- Design Fuel Gauge
- Inflate Tires
- Install Volt and AMP Gauge

I also want to neaten up the wiring a bit and add some grommets to the high power lines so I'll work on things this weekend.