Paul & Sabrina's Cheap EV Conversion

[dremd]

Originally Posted by MPaulHolmes

I have the VW idiot book! That's amazing! I love it. It is so clear. You can tell that the writer has done everything that he describes. It's covered in brake fluid now, but that just gives it character.

I can't tell you how happy that makes me. I think that what you are doing is truly in the spirit of the book. Mine was covered in all sorts of oils as well; like you said just builds character.

[byrdman1971]

If you're still looking for a bigger controller, here one on ebay:

Curtis 72v DC Motor Controller - eBay (item 290246479955 end time Jul-23-08 13:31:27 PDT)

[bennelson]

Originally Posted by byrdman1971

If you're still looking for a bigger controller, here one on ebay:

Curtis 72v DC Motor Controller - eBay (item 290246479955 end time Jul-23-08 13:31:27 PDT)

I was wondering when that guy was going to be selling again.

They look like a pretty good controller at a pretty good price. I wouldn't mind upgrading my cycle if I could just cram two more batts in there...

[MPaulHolmes]

Originally Posted by byrdman1971

If you're still looking for a bigger controller, here one on ebay:

Curtis 72v DC Motor Controller - eBay (item 290246479955 end time Jul-23-08 13:31:27 PDT)

I have lots of news:

I just bought the 72v 400amp curtis controller like 10 seconds ago! ya! Thanks Byrdman!
I sold the 300amp controller for $150, which made the upgrade only cost about $150!
We figured out how to cover the slight hole behind the back seat (huge hole, you can see the transmission behind the back seat. 1.5feetx3feet hole, or so!)
Figured out how to shield the motor from the elements. A single piece of wood that snaps into place beautifully. I didn't even have to cut it. It was left over junk. hmm... what else...
I ordered 2 brake cylinders, all new brake springs, new brake shoes (no asbestos?), brake assembly kit, heatshrink tubing (I had to get to $75 in order to get free shipping).

No batteries yet, but I know there aren't any in the Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater area for the asking!

By the way, I decided on the 72v controller because it can also be used in a 48v system.

[bennelson]

Let me know how you like that controller once you get it in and working!


Considering buying one or more...

[MPaulHolmes]

OOOH ya... I'll definitely tell all the details about the controller's awesomeness. I wonder if it needs a heat sink. I had just bought a 6.5"x8.5" heatsink for my other controller. I don't know if that will be big enough for the new and improved one. Dang my impulsiveness.

I'll use it anyway. I'm sure it'll be fine.

[bennelson]

Originally Posted by MPaulHolmes

I had just bought a 6.5"x8.5" heatsink for my other controller

Paul BOUGHT something?

I was planning on using this:


for a heatsink. It is the plate the forklift controls originally all connects to. It had the SCRs, contactors, an everything else on there.

I figure that it's free, aluminum, and even already has mounting holes drilled in it!

[byrdman1971]

Hope you like the controller. Let me know how it works out too, I've been planning an ultra budget EV for awhile now (Also based on a VW) and would like to know what kind of performance you get.
BTW: If you're looking for $ for your project, I noticed in some of your pix (I think) your calculator is an HP32sII. They fetch a small fortune on Ebay. HP discontinued them a few years back, but the replacment model was crap (WAY too complicated) and it's the only calculator allowed in the EIT exam in California. (last time I checked at least, it was a few years back for me) I sold two for around $300 each when HP came out with the HP33s. (An updated copy of the HP32sII. Functions exactly the same and is cheap)

[MPaulHolmes]

Originally Posted by bennelson

Paul BOUGHT something?

Easy, easy! I buy stuff! Just today I was at the dollar store, buying a table cloth for my baby's first birthday coming up on the 30th! So there! I got a great deal on it, too. It was only $1.

We BOUGHT some enamel stuff for the battery box inside, that resists heat up to 1200 degF and is really hard when it dries. I hope the batteries don't get up to 1200 degrees, though.

I ordered a full size picture of Oprah for our living room shrine, but had to return it, since our wall is only 250 square feet.

I'm currently bidding on something that shall remain nameless, since it is such an awesome deal that I can't hardly stand it, and there might be some sneaky lurker that races over to some web site that shall remain nameless (it rhymes with eday) to try and outbid me on this very important thing that will help complete some certain project that shall remain nameless. As a hint, it's name can be found in a classic Tom Hanks movie that is about life and a box of chocolates.

OK, so what's the best way to fill in holes in rusty metal that is super strong and sort of cheap?

[MPaulHolmes]

Holy cow!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe it!!! I checked ebay. Those things are selling for like $175 or something ridiculous like that. That's absurd. I bought mine in 1992 when I got back from Alaska working cleaning fish. It cost $80. It's what I used all through school. I don't even know what '=' means on a calculator (RPN joke). Do I sell it??? Now I know what Woody felt like in Toy Story 2. Holy Cow!!! Thank you again, bird man of Alcatraz...