Paul's how NOT to convert a Metro

[vpoppv]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Well, there's no motor side ammeter on the ForkenSwift... maybe I've been torturing the motor. Ignorance is bliss! (Until ignorance is expensive.)

You still have an identical spare, right?

That 110lb bad boy can handle a pretty stout amount of amps though; certainly more than my "53 amp max at 36v" electric toothbrush motor
Yes, I'm jealous of ForkenSwift, I admit it Or is it envious? I always get those two mixed up.....

[MetroMPG]

Yes, still have the spare. Plus backup controller. Extra batteries. Pretty much all the raw materials to make another vehicle. I occasionally daydream about using all that stuff to do some other more interesting conversion, and then I remember I need another vehicle like I need a hole in my head.

[vpoppv]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Yes, still have the spare. Plus backup controller. Extra batteries. Pretty much all the raw materials to make another vehicle. I occasionally daydream about using all that stuff to do some other more interesting conversion, and then I remember I need another vehicle like I need a hole in my head.

You're talking to a guy who has 7 Geos, a big cargo van, a Buick, and a shell of a Toyota! Wow, it seems so ridiculous when I see that typed. Sure seemed like a good idea at the time....

[vpoppv]

Today's readings: up to 74.7 volts at the end of the commute. Lowest battery is up to 12.05v (was at 11.75v last week)! Those batteries just needed a drill sergeant like me to whip them into shape!

[TheSGC]

Originally Posted by vpoppv

Today's readings: up to 74.7 volts at the end of the commute. Lowest battery is up to 12.05v (was at 11.75v last week)! Those batteries just needed a drill sergeant like me to whip them into shape!

That's the result of the "break in" cycle for new batteries and batteries that have been sitting for a while. It sounds like those used batteries were a great find! Just keep whipping 'em into shape and they should treat you quite well.

[vpoppv]

Originally Posted by TheSGC

That's the result of the "break in" cycle for new batteries and batteries that have been sitting for a while. It sounds like those used batteries were a great find! Just keep whipping 'em into shape and they should treat you quite well.

You're absolutely right! When you mentioned that before, I was trying not to get my hopes up, but they DO seem to get better with age, like fine wine. I had this idea in the back of my head about a sort of "lease" service for marine batteries: seems like boat owners kill their batteries from lack of use, and EV'ers from overuse. It would stand to reason that a boat owner could "exchange" EV'ers batteries so that both could benefit. Perhaps at the end of boating season, one could take the batteries from the boater and use it for a while until the season begins again at which time the batteries are returned.....

[MetroMPG]

vpoppv: I just read through this entire thread, beginning to end (had only been dropping in periodically to catch snippets).

I do say: Bra. Vo.

Also, I have voltage envy.

Also, we definitely spent too much money on project ForkenSwift.

Also also: did Paul really make an ammeter out of a calibrated chunk of something for a shunt and a multimeter to read millivolts? I knew it was doable, but I didn't take that path. Partly out of fear, and partly because I got a reasonable deal on the new-old-stock ammeter & shunt from Mr. E. Bay. (39.78 CAD, shipped.)

[vpoppv]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

vpoppv: I just read through this entire thread, beginning to end (had only been dropping in periodically to catch snippets).

I do say: Bra. Vo.

Also, I have voltage envy.

Also, we definitely spent too much money on project ForkenSwift.

Also also: did Paul really make an ammeter out of a calibrated chunk of something for a shunt and a multimeter to read millivolts? I knew it was doable, but I didn't take that path. Partly out of fear, and partly because I got a reasonable deal on the new-old-stock ammeter & shunt from Mr. E. Bay. (39.78 CAD, shipped.)

Well thank you! I'm not sure how far I would have gotten without your example. I think I pretty much had no choice going to 72v because of my tiny motor: running the amps required at 48v might melt it. I really and truly was going for 48v when I started though.
As far as the ForkenSwift budget, I just looked over the expenses: where do you think you could have trimmed the price?

Paul is a genius. I firmly believe that he can make a controller out of stone knives and bearskins. Post #245 on his thread is where he used his ammeter the first time.

[vpoppv]

Up another 10th! I ended the day at 74.8v. And now, my lowest battery is no longer my lowest! The (former) lowest was up to 12.22v. The lowest is at 12.20v. So I am at 4 group 24's and 2 group 29's. I'd like to recondition 2 more of my group 24's and run 6 group 24's in this car, which would free up the group 29's for the Toyota. I suppose I should get more work done on the Toyota, but it scares me....

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by vpoppv

As far as the ForkenSwift budget, I just looked over the expenses: where do you think you could have trimmed the price?

Ohh, interesting question.

I was just joking about overspending. But I bet there would have been ways to cut down.

Looking at the ForkenSwift's cost list:

EG:

-$160 we really didn't need to spend the latest $160 on used batteries. The previous ones were delivering about 15-20 km comfortably. But the chance to buy up a relatively youthful pack (~2 years old!) doesn't come up often, and it increased range to 25-30 km comfortably in warm weather.

-$39.78 Could have done a zero cost ammeter.

-$25.00 Could have done a cheaper home made LED batt pack gauge, let's say half price

-$172.44 Could have skipped the cosmetic body & paint repairs

-$45.56 Ivan really didn't need to buy the "how to" books he got

So could have lopped $442.78 off the total! For a net of $554.82