Paul's how NOT to convert a Metro - Page 33 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Christ · 12-07-2009, 09:56 PM

I thought you could use a laugh. Financial news usually does suck pretty hard core.

MetroMPG · 12-09-2009, 06:35 PM

Nice eBay score - hope it works. I get controller envy reading about all these 72v cars.

Seriously: my eyes glazed over after reading that, and I found myself daydreaming about what vehicle I'd convert if I wanted to go with 72 volts had another controller... then I snapped back to reality.

I need another conversion like a what? That's right! Like a hole in my head.

(But I think it'd either be something like a VW van or a Miata.)

vpoppv · 12-09-2009, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Nice eBay score - hope it works. I get controller envy reading about all these 72v cars.

Seriously: my eyes glazed over after reading that, and I found myself daydreaming about what vehicle I'd convert if I wanted to go with 72 volts had another controller... then I snapped back to reality.

I need another conversion like a what? That's right! Like a hole in my head.

(But I think it'd either be something like a VW van or a Miata.)

Well, it got me to work today; however, my batteries are really scaring me. Voltage drop gets so low, I'm afraid to even use the car anymore. But then, I remember how much I paid for the batteries and.....well, I pretty much drive at 5-10 mph now just to make sure I don't pop one. I try to keep voltage above 50v. When I got back yesterday though, I had a battery at 11.6v

To be fair though, it was between 19-30 degrees the last couple days, which is pretty exceptionally cold for around here. It will be back up to a more normal 40 tomorrow.....

PS: Build a 72v car already, you know you want to!!!

TheSGC · 12-09-2009, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vpoppv

Well, it got me to work today; however, my batteries are really scaring me. Voltage drop gets so low, I'm afraid to even use the car anymore. But then, I remember how much I paid for the batteries and.....well, I pretty much drive at 5-10 mph now just to make sure I don't pop one. I try to keep voltage above 50v. When I got back yesterday though, I had a battery at 11.6v

To be fair though, it was between 19-30 degrees the last couple days, which is pretty exceptionally cold for around here. It will be back up to a more normal 40 tomorrow.....

PS: Build a 72v car already, you know you want to!!!

You should insulate the batteries. I got a sheet of 1" blue insulation board from Home Depot to insulate my batteries, and it made a HUGE difference. The batteries get warm by driving and charging, and the insulation can keep them warm for a long time. This past fall it was about 55F at night when charging, but my battery pack was around 88F during charging when I woke up in the morning.

Right now it's 34F outside and my batteries are at 52F, and they have been sitting since yesterday, and it's been snowing since then and the EV is not garaged. My guess it that it would be around 60-70F if I left it to charge over night.

watt-a-mezz · 12-10-2009, 12:42 AM

[QUOTE=MetroMPG;146163]

I need another conversion like a what? That's right! Like a hole in my head.

I know the feeling, and I am still trying to get the first one right. I bought
a KD 72300 which wasnt strong enough for what I was doing, so I decided
to try building one. So far it is going ok, but now I have a skinned kelly that
would work if I could program it. I thought it was broken, but it turned out
the usb cable went bad.

Skinned Kelly anyone? Watt.

MetroMPG · 12-11-2009, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSGC

You should insulate the batteries. I got a sheet of 1" blue insulation board from Home Depot to insulate my batteries, and it made a HUGE difference.

This is the curse of an EV that doesn't get used regularly when it's cold out. Even with insulation, the batteries will go cold after a day or 2. I need heat too.

Paul: you use yours more. Give it a try!

vpoppv · 12-11-2009, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

This is the curse of an EV that doesn't get used regularly when it's cold out. Even with insulation, the batteries will go cold after a day or 2. I need heat too.

Paul: you use yours more. Give it a try!

Ok, I'll do it!: I have a lot of foam hanging around from my eBay Powerseller days.....And old mattress pads

The cold certainly has a major impact: today, they did much better as the temp climbed about 10 degrees. It should get up to 60 on Sunday!!!
On another note, I have my alarm set to the radio. This morning, I was awakened to an ad saying "buy your electric car at Ada Electric Car!". I left it on for a minute because I was not really sure if I was dreaming or not. They talked about tax credits and stuff, and then I realized it was for real.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_ad22xVR2Y

MPaulHolmes · 12-11-2009, 03:07 AM

That was hilarious.

vpoppv · 12-13-2009, 05:20 PM

Ok MetroMPG and TheSGC, I used this beautiful 64 degree day to insulate the batteries as you suggested- the high for Tuesday is supposed to be 30, so it's just in time.

I also had enough foam left to insulate my hot water heater

.....

TheSGC · 12-13-2009, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vpoppv

Ok MetroMPG and TheSGC, I used this beautiful 64 degree day to insulate the batteries as you suggested- the high for Tuesday is supposed to be 30, so it's just in time.

I also had enough foam left to insulate my hot water heater

.....

That is great! You had some great weather there. I had 30F and work on my insulation too. I had to seal it up because I removed it a few weeks ago and when I put it back together I didn't align it right. So now it's pretty tight and loaded up with duct tape.