Hello everybody - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

evdesigner · 03-01-2010, 04:17 PM

I've been aware of this group for quite awhile, but just now subscribed.
I've been designing motor controls for 20 years for Caterpillar (forklift), GE (electric vehicles, golf carts, on-road EV's etc), Baldor Motors and Drives (AC induction inverters), Ametek-Rotron (BLDC controls) and currently Kinetek Controls (golf cart and NEV - AC induction and Sepex).
I'm very inspired by people like Paul and others on this group that are forging new trails in the EV world. Keep up the good work!
I've owned several EV's including an electric 1984 Fiero, Dodge TEVan, GE elec-trak, 1995 Club Car (soon to become AC induction) and various other EV's, some shown here,
http://picasaweb.google.com/rodnhower

MetroMPG · 03-01-2010, 09:23 PM

Welcome to the forum (or should I say: congrats on a successful de-lurking).

I formatted the URL to your album. (Sorry about the link restriction - it keeps the spammers under control, even if it's a bit annoying to legitimate new members.)

Darin

121madness · 03-01-2010, 09:43 PM

Welcome

evdesigner · 03-01-2010, 09:48 PM

Darren,
I've always been a big fan of your projects. Even though I've worked in the EV industry for many years, I've always pieced together EV's like yours on a shoestring budget! Most of my projects have used misc parts from work projects. My 1995 Club Car was 'purchased' as a rolling chassis for $200 and two free chargers from work and a free controller. The golf cart place in Fort Smith, AR hated 48V Club Cars for some reason and the technicians at the place gave me the best parts to choose from for the body and other parts needed to complete the vehicle. I used SAFT STM-180 NiCd batteries donated from Chrysler (and they're still doing quite well). I plan on upgrading to an AC inverter motor and control from my current employer, Kinetek Controls. I project I can get 35 MPH from this system with excellent hill climbing. We'll see, I currently design the motor controls and write the software.
Rod

thatguitarguy · 03-01-2010, 10:07 PM

Welcome!

I'm sure any contributions you care to make will be greatly appreciated! I browsed through your photos, and I sure hated seeing what happened to those Teslas. They deserved better than that.