Electric vehicle enthusiast

[Greg Fordyce]

Hi everyone,

I have been lurking for quite a while, but the Open ReVolt controller project has interested me so much that I decided to register. I am currently in the process of converting a 99 Daewoo Matiz to a battery electric vehicle. I am aiming for a minimum range of 60 miles at highway speeds and hoping 100 miles is possible with some careful driving and a few aero mods from this forum.

Greg

[MetroMPG]

Wow! Ambitious range target. What company's lithium cells will you be using?

Welcome to the forum!

[Greg Fordyce]

The batteries are Hipower brand from china. They have a website but it's not much use unless you understand Chinese. Çൺº£°ÔÄÜÔ´¼¯ÍÅÓÐÏÞ¹«Ë¾

The pack is 135 40ah cells configured as 45s3p giving me 144v 120ah pack. From experience with my previous electric vehicles I should have a current draw of around 60 amps at around 55mph. If this works out as planned that should give me 2 hours range. All the cells will be fitted so the passenger compartment stays intact, but I will probably lose the spare wheel. Oh well, a lot of new cars don't have those any more as well. So some cells in the spare wheel well, some in the fuel tank area and the rest up front with the motor.

[Daox]

Interesting setup. Why the decision to go with three parallel strings instead of higher Ah batteries?

[Greg Fordyce]

2 reasons, Hipower don't make a 120ah cell but also packaging is easier with lots of smaller cells. More flexibility in where they can go. Another advantage is I can mount them all vertically, some debate over long term life if mounted on their side.

[Greg Fordyce]

Maybe I should have said 3p45s. That is I will have a single 120ah (3 x 40ah) string of 45 cells. Does that make sense ? The decision was due to there being no 120ah cells available from Hipower and also the smaller cells package better in the car. I should be able to get 36 in the spare wheel well, another 36 in the petrol tank area and the rest up front with the motor.

Just got the engine and gearbox out of the car today. I have already mated the Impulse 9 motor to another gearbox that I got. Tried the axle shafts in the gearbox and the one that goes past the motor is hitting the adapter plate, so a bit of filing required. Also the rubber CV boot is touching the side of the motor casing so have to do a bit of work there as well. The original engine was a 3 cylinder 800cc, more of a lawn mower engine really. So the Impulse 9 is a bit of a squeeze, but I am expecting some good results.