Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > Fossil Fuel Free
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 04-18-2009, 05:52 PM   #1 (permalink)
EV test pilot
 
bennelson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Oconomowoc, WI, USA
Posts: 4,435

Electric Cycle - '81 Kawasaki KZ440
90 day: 334.6 mpg (US)

S10 - '95 Chevy S10
90 day: 30.48 mpg (US)

Electro-Metro - '96 Ben Nelson's "Electro-Metro"
90 day: 129.81 mpg (US)

The Wife's Car - Plug-in Prius - '04 Toyota Prius
90 day: 78.16 mpg (US)
Thanks: 17
Thanked 663 Times in 388 Posts
Mark's CommutaCar

Last night, I was helping my friend Mark hook up the batteries and controller in his CommutaCar.

It still needs reverse gear, and a few other small troubleshooting things, including a bit more brake work, but we did get it on the road.


__________________


300mpg.org Learn how to BUILD YOUR OWN ELECTRIC CAR CHEAP
My YouTube Videos
  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 04-18-2009, 07:02 PM   #2 (permalink)
Dartmouth 2010
 
SVOboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hanover, NH
Posts: 6,447

Vegan Powa! - '91 Honda CRX DX
Team Honda
90 day: 66.52 mpg (US)
Thanks: 92
Thanked 122 Times in 90 Posts
Send a message via AIM to SVOboy Send a message via MSN to SVOboy Send a message via Yahoo to SVOboy
Sweet stuff! You're developing a little Cult of CommutaCar aren't you?
  Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2009, 07:11 PM   #3 (permalink)
EV test pilot
 
bennelson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Oconomowoc, WI, USA
Posts: 4,435

Electric Cycle - '81 Kawasaki KZ440
90 day: 334.6 mpg (US)

S10 - '95 Chevy S10
90 day: 30.48 mpg (US)

Electro-Metro - '96 Ben Nelson's "Electro-Metro"
90 day: 129.81 mpg (US)

The Wife's Car - Plug-in Prius - '04 Toyota Prius
90 day: 78.16 mpg (US)
Thanks: 17
Thanked 663 Times in 388 Posts
Citicars, Commutacars, Metros, cycles.

You name it - we'll make it better.
__________________


300mpg.org Learn how to BUILD YOUR OWN ELECTRIC CAR CHEAP
My YouTube Videos
  Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2009, 07:21 PM   #4 (permalink)
Dartmouth 2010
 
SVOboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hanover, NH
Posts: 6,447

Vegan Powa! - '91 Honda CRX DX
Team Honda
90 day: 66.52 mpg (US)
Thanks: 92
Thanked 122 Times in 90 Posts
Send a message via AIM to SVOboy Send a message via MSN to SVOboy Send a message via Yahoo to SVOboy
We should give you some sort of title. "Official EcoModder Ambassador to Wisonsin" or something. We can put it on a little pin you can wear on your lapel. Yep.

I'm full of great ideas today.
  Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2009, 07:37 PM   #5 (permalink)
EcoModding Apprentice
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 162
Thanks: 2
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Another EV... your addicted now aren't you?

Looks good though.

Maybe i missed it, but what's with the huge front and rear bumpers? Doe they hold the batteries or something?
  Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2009, 07:54 PM   #6 (permalink)
EV test pilot
 
bennelson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Oconomowoc, WI, USA
Posts: 4,435

Electric Cycle - '81 Kawasaki KZ440
90 day: 334.6 mpg (US)

S10 - '95 Chevy S10
90 day: 30.48 mpg (US)

Electro-Metro - '96 Ben Nelson's "Electro-Metro"
90 day: 129.81 mpg (US)

The Wife's Car - Plug-in Prius - '04 Toyota Prius
90 day: 78.16 mpg (US)
Thanks: 17
Thanked 663 Times in 388 Posts
Yep, the main difference between a Citicar and a Commutacar is that the later holds the batteries in 2 boxes, one in each of the front and rear bumpers.

So, yes, they have crazy huge bumpers on them. This particular car takes advantage of that by having solar panels over the bumpers. We don't have those hooked up yet. Besides, it was dark by the time we got the car running!
__________________


300mpg.org Learn how to BUILD YOUR OWN ELECTRIC CAR CHEAP
My YouTube Videos
  Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2009, 06:33 PM   #7 (permalink)
EcoModding Apprentice
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 162
Thanks: 2
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Ah, makes sense.

Solar panels - awesome, free charging. Hm, would that improve the range - recharging whilst running?
  Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2009, 08:07 PM   #8 (permalink)
PaulH
 
MPaulHolmes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Maricopa, AZ (sort of. Actually outside of town)
Posts: 3,832

Michael's Electric Beetle - '71 Volkswagen Superbeetle 500000
Thanks: 1,362
Thanked 1,202 Times in 765 Posts
Yes to improved range while driving, but barely. It's better for while the car just sits to keep a full charge full.
__________________
kits and boards
  Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2009, 08:18 PM   #9 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Lincoln, England
Posts: 42

Tobaloula Rusttbukkitt - '95 Citroen Ax Elation
90 day: 44.11 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Damn my terrible internet connection. Seems like I wont be watching that until next week at least. Oh well.
  Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2009, 09:05 PM   #10 (permalink)
EV test pilot
 
bennelson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Oconomowoc, WI, USA
Posts: 4,435

Electric Cycle - '81 Kawasaki KZ440
90 day: 334.6 mpg (US)

S10 - '95 Chevy S10
90 day: 30.48 mpg (US)

Electro-Metro - '96 Ben Nelson's "Electro-Metro"
90 day: 129.81 mpg (US)

The Wife's Car - Plug-in Prius - '04 Toyota Prius
90 day: 78.16 mpg (US)
Thanks: 17
Thanked 663 Times in 388 Posts
If the car is parked in the sun anyways, at least you'll get a little free energy!

We haven't tested out the solar panels yet, so I am not sure exactly how much power they create.

They also may be used to top off the 12v "accessory" battery which runs the headlights, main contactor, windshield wiper, etc.

__________________


300mpg.org Learn how to BUILD YOUR OWN ELECTRIC CAR CHEAP
My YouTube Videos
  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread




Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Pick Your Poison - Whose gas to buy? SVOboy General Efficiency Discussion 84 11-22-2010 11:19 PM



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com