Paul's how NOT to convert a Metro - Page 40 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

MetroMPG · 04-03-2010, 09:57 PM

That's pretty epic!

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vpoppv · 04-14-2010, 12:05 PM

I have been experiencing serious voltage withdrawal. Every day that I drive to work in my horrible, inefficient, gas powered Geo Metro I feel that I personally have added one degree to the earth's temperature. And with full time work and school, I have not had the time to do anything. I could have simply bypassed the exploded battery and run on 60v, but I didn't want to. I found a battery I thought would work, got it mostly put back together, and I discovered the battery was not holding voltage. I found another battery, that is dated 2003, but it seemed to hold voltage. I put it in, and late last night got the car back together. I drove it to work today, taking it very easy, for fear that I would hear another big "pop" under my hood. Surprisingly, I had very little voltage drop going to work. I think the 2003 battery will work. I am electric again.

TheSGC · 04-14-2010, 12:34 PM

That's great news! It's all about weeding out the weaklings!

I too have been feeling rather dirty driving my 38 MPG Civic to school while I upgrade my batteries. Though I have been using my EV for everything less than 10 miles round trip, so it's been better. If things go well, I may have my new pack installed this weekend. I am keeping my old pack because they are too good to be used as cores, but don't like to be abused by my Zilla Z1K.

Part of me has wild ideas of a range extension trailer or an off grid power supply or something.....

vpoppv · 04-15-2010, 08:40 PM

Second day back commuting in the EV, and I am confident I have a very solid pack of batteries; and with the 9 batteries I got from the boat place last Friday, I have a few spares. Each battery shows above 12.43v after commute, which is much higher than ever since I started in October. Of course, the perfect weather helps, but also having weeded out the worst batteries is the most important factor. I also have a solid pack of 10 group 31 batteries for the Toyota now. I may just plan on running at 120v in it right off the bat....
And I am so excited about EV's still (does the EV grin ever wear off?) that I decided to choose the topic "why you should drive an electric vehicle" for my persuasive speech for my speech class tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Angmaar · 04-15-2010, 10:15 PM

I read though this whole thread. It was a great read!

vpoppv · 04-16-2010, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angmaar

I read though this whole thread. It was a great read!

Wow, thanks for working your way through it!

vpoppv · 04-19-2010, 05:06 PM

I am very pleased: it looks like I have a good, solid pack of batteries now. The two lowest batteries each show 12.47v after commute, the highest is at 12.89v. Surprisingly, the 2003 battery is showing 12.67v after commute. On the flip side, I have two Maxx29 Wal-Mart batteries that are only one year old and one is in the 8v range, and the other is under 1v. I am surprised that the previous owner didn't take advantage of the 18 month free replacement warranty....

TheSGC · 04-19-2010, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vpoppv

I am very pleased: it looks like I have a good, solid pack of batteries now. The two lowest batteries each show 12.47v after commute, the highest is at 12.89v. Surprisingly, the 2003 battery is showing 12.67v after commute. On the flip side, I have two Maxx29 Wal-Mart batteries that are only one year old and one is in the 8v range, and the other is under 1v. I am surprised that the previous owner didn't take advantage of the 18 month free replacement warranty....

A solid pack is great! That is surprising how they previous owners didn't cash in on the free replacement. I did right before my warranty expired just because I could. I do think you can revive those MAXX29 as I have done with extremely good results. A few hours with a 15.6 volts equalizing charge and a few cycles with a 12.5+ AMP charger and those suckers should come back to a nice life.

vpoppv · 04-20-2010, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSGC

A solid pack is great! That is surprising how they previous owners didn't cash in on the free replacement. I did right before my warranty expired just because I could. I do think you can revive those MAXX29 as I have done with extremely good results. A few hours with a 15.6 volts equalizing charge and a few cycles with a 12.5+ AMP charger and those suckers should come back to a nice life.

Well, I already made a small attempt at reviving them without much luck- I was just going to recycle them for a little more cash than I paid for them

; But since you seem to think they might come back, I'll try a little harder before I give up on them. On another note, I am toying with the idea of stretching the limits of my $500 EV by breaking down and getting a PB-6 from eBay for $57.99 with $6 shipping and getting that last 3/5 throttle. I should easily hit 35 mph with that. I don't know why I just can't leave well enough alone. Even at 39, I am not mature enough to have a car that suits my needs 100% without wanting to hot-rod it. But then, I also know that if I torch my motor I'll find a burly big brother to replace it in short order.....

vpoppv · 04-20-2010, 04:54 PM

I've been bad today

......I took the car up to 35 mph.....

(I tried 5th gear for the first time). Showed 63v, so not too much drop. I really need to install the ampmeter.....Motor wasn't warm when I got home though.

Edit: I put a charger on the 1v Maxx29 this morning; it stayed at float charge. When I got home though, it was charging at full 12 amps. I think it might be good after all....