New to the forum, with my RX-7 EV Project...
 

Greetings! I was introduced to this forum by one of the forkenwift guys (I think) quite a while ago. Now that I'm finally back to work on my RX-7 project, I figured it'd be a good idea to get active on here.

My project is a 1986 Mazda RX-7. Installed a 12" Baker forklift driver motor in it and am working on installing the 100 SAFT/Marathon NiCad wet aircraft cells for the battery pack now. Also building my own controller, which is also almost done.

I've got videos of my progress on you-tube (one of which was recently posted here actually). Just search for RX7 EV and they'll come up.

As for the status of the project, I'm in the final stretch. Started a thread back on gassavers.org when I began the project, but that thread died when a job change took all my time from it. Now that I'm finally settled (rising gas prices help too), I'm back to work on it and hope to have it drivable within a week!

Of course, as the forkenswift project has demonstrated, drivable doesn't mean it's done ;-)

It will be very bare-bones at first, but I'll slowly begin making upgrades as time goes on. One of which will be PC-based instrumentation. That project is a ways off though, dispite me having almost all the hardware I need for it already.

Anyway, I'll keep you guys updated, and possibly revive my old thread on this new forum.

Just putting up a recent video for fun: http://youtube.com/watch?v=x4b61vwuw1Q

Welcome to the site! Looks like the project is coming along well...if only darin would start working on his next double secret new website...

Welcome to the community.

Hey BigMouse!

I am doing a project similar to the Forkenswift.

I have already seen a few of your YouTube vids. Keep up the good work.

Is your home-made controller going to be "open-source"? I only know the basics of electronics, but I can follow somebody else's schematics!!!!!

Seriously, the controller will be the most expensive part of the project unless I only buy a 48 volt or can build my own. There is an EV builder I just met a week or two ago (who is within driving distance of me! yea!) who is also building his own controller, but it is going to be 288 Volt!!!!!!

If you would pass on any controller advice, I would greatly appreciate it!!!

Thanks,

-Ben

where do you get nicad batteries like that you found for your EV project? I looked all over and couldn't find anything! altho the place that gave me the best price on golf cart batteries thought that they MIGHT be able to get nicads, but nothing came of it.

I believe a friend in the aircraft industry gave them to him, right mouse?

I did indeed get them from aviation. Although it wasn't a friend, I used to work for an airline. I snagged them myself! Don't worry, didn't steal 'em. They're "unservicable"

Wow, that's an old video. Try this on for size, my most recent controller test, with 90vdc (final pack voltage will be 124vdc)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acJwztoxViI

All you need to do is post the youtube link, no need to do anything fancy with embedding, :thumbup:

Any idea what kind of range your car will have?