Electric car conversion: Project ForkenSwift

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Intrigued

Didn't we see a video back a year ago or so, where you were driving through town, and you used a bell or something to alert a guy who almost stepped out in front of you?

Oh right! Yeah, that was me.

Sightseer walks backward off the sidewalk in front of the car while looking through his camera viewfinder! I just tapped the horn as lightly as I could so I didn't give him a heart attack. A bell would have been a much friendlier way to let him know I was there.

Happens starting at ~3:25 here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Liqv3KgXThk

[mamodbasher]

Looks good! I was considering putting the batteries in the opening where the fuel tank is now. It's just ahead of the rear axle and would be a perfect spot for weight distribution. I see you are in Canada as well - close enough for a look at your creation? Need some inspiration is all...

[mamodbasher]

[QUOTE=MetroMPG;104471]Definitely worth considering. This car has gel batteries installed in the floor (including under the front seats) for just that reason: (and also for aesthetics - to keep batts out of the motor compartment)

Roger Stockton's 1987 Suzuki Forsa



(Note: Optimas. )

Are you close enough to get a look at your car? I see you are in Canada - 1000 Islands? I would make the trip to there on your schedule if you can spare the time?

[bennelson]

Originally Posted by Intrigued

Pedestrian alert device...LOL!

Didn't we see a video back a year ago or so, where you were driving through town, and you used a bell or something to alert a guy who almost stepped out in front of you?

...or was that Ben...???

Not me, I believe that was a Zap Xebra...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZpwnfzQKwc

[Christopher Jordan]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Sounds reasonable to me. The answer to what kind of battery to use seems to be: what kind of money do you have to spend?

Well obviously; I would recommend Sears Die Hard PM-1 batteries like the four I am using! Then you can feel super-rich when you spend a fortune to find out what the heck *that* noise was... (tongue in cheek of course)

Although I have heard good things about Trojan batteries, I think they are heavier. Those Sears PM-1s are 77 pounds, but some other brands are in the upper 80 pound range.

I am already exceeding weight limits by about 100 pounds, and, Trojans being heavier kept me with the Dead Hards!

[MPaulHolmes]

I have the Platinum edition AGM die hards from Sears. They have a 3 year warantee, and I haven't had any problems since August. I hope they get around to failing in about a year or year and a half so I can get new ones!

[Christopher Jordan]

Originally Posted by MPaulHolmes

I have the Platinum edition They have a 3 year warantee, and I haven't had any problems since August.

Amazing! Great to hear! The P in PM-1 is for platinum, mine are too. One cell failed in battery 1 within one year after purchase. The warranty dropped when the vehicle transferred, then battery 2 reverse charged and blew out the onboard charger. I bought a Die Hard booster for that battery and three batteries go to 13.6 volts each, one to 12.9 volts- but are low within 12 hours. Now I use onboard chargers and the offboard charger.

Very "mickey mouse"- can not use the onboard chargers only somewhere else or carry the separate charger; but it works. Glad to hear the 2 good batteries might last a while.

[MPaulHolmes]

For charging, I've been using 6 independent 6amp chargers. One for each battery. That keeps them balanced, and the gentle charging speed is nice for them too, although they can be charged at a 40 amp rate. yikes. And honestly, I try to not be like a race driver with them. Just drive from point A to point B. Well, every now and then I push it, just because it's fun.

[MetroMPG]

mamodbasher: feel free to come see the car. I'm going on a sailing trip from mid-July to mid-August. Other than that I'll be around.

---

Used the ForkenSwift to go on a 80 km round trip today. How is that possible with an electric car with a 35 km range?

I drove 20 km to a friend's house, got my bike out of the hatchback and plugged the car in. Biked the next 20 km to my destination. Reversed the procedure to come back.

[MetroMPG]

Got the pedestrian proximity warning unit & activation cable installed this afternoon (gear shift cable scrounged from an old bike).

I'm not going to be able to use the heater temperature slider to activate the bell though - it's too stiff. Not slidey enough.

I may do exactly the same thing the Xebra owner did - just route the cable end through the dashboard somewhere close at hand and attach a handle to the end of it.