Paul's how NOT to convert a Metro - Page 41 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Christ · 04-20-2010, 10:50 PM

You might be able to take that battery back to wally world if it's still in date, and they'll probably replace it for you with no questions. Just tell them you lost the receipt. I do it all the time, when I get cars with bad batteries that are in date, then I sell the battery at full price LOL.

vpoppv · 04-28-2010, 02:14 PM

I've always been gentle to my EV. I love it too much. But I have been rather brutal as of late, but with a purpose: I want to make sure it can handle my next challenge. I went ahead and ordered the PB6. I wanted to find out if the batteries and drivetrain can handle the extra demands that will be made on it. Up until now, I have been at a 2/5 maximum throttle. Recently, while being lead footed, I have noticed that my current setup is comparable in performance to the original 3-cylinder setup. Surprisingly, my batteries come home at about the same voltage as before my abusive behavior. The controller remains cold to the touch, and the motor is only mildly warm. I think it is ready for the upgrade.....

vpoppv · 05-17-2010, 10:54 PM

So I did my usual walk-through after I get home from work, when I did something stupid. I checked all the batteries- great voltage. I felt the controller- cold to the touch, then I reached down to feel the motor. Now, I have to wonder at this point why I even do all these things. Do I really think that one day my controller will suddenly get really hot? Anyway, so when I reached down to feel the motor (I can't quite see it, I have to just feel my way), my hand went inside the motor and I touched either the armature or the brushes or something. Ouch! HOT! Now, whenever I do this incredibly stupid and inacurrate temperature check, I always feel the outside of the motor, and it is always barely warm. I always figured "good enough". But now, that painful experience today has me second guessing if perhaps the motor is getting way too hot, if only on the inside; but isn't that where it really counts?

MetroMPG · 05-17-2010, 11:37 PM

You should have a cover over that thing so you can't put your fingers inside! Or drop tools or rocks in it. And so mice can't set up nests.

A well regarded motor expert once told me the surefire way to know if your motor is getting too hot is whether it or objects near it occasionally burst into flame.

Also, he said to check the appearance of the brush leads. Are they a nice coppery colour? Or do they look blue/purple, like they've been subjected to high heat?

vpoppv · 05-18-2010, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

You should have a cover over that thing so you can't put your fingers inside! Or drop tools or rocks in it. And so mice can't set up nests.

A well regarded motor expert once told me the surefire way to know if your motor is getting too hot is whether it or objects near it occasionally burst into flame.

Also, he said to check the appearance of the brush leads. Are they a nice coppery colour? Or do they look blue/purple, like they've been subjected to high heat?

That is very reassuring, thank you. It still looks like shiny copper from when I took it apart originally. Not even any dark spots formed yet, like when I first got it. Also, it occured to me that the paint might discolor a little if it were getting too hot. I actually still plan on putting that bilge blower on that I bought for it. I'll make sure that it's covered when I do that to keep the mice out, as well as idiotic fingers.

vpoppv · 05-18-2010, 08:25 PM

I went to the gas station in my EV today. How else can I wash my windshield?? I had to get gas for the lawn mower.....

bennelson · 05-18-2010, 10:08 PM

Going to get gas in an EV!?!?!

Been there, done that.

Where did I put the photo of the gas can in the back of my Electro-Metro?.....

Yeah, that was most likely the most dangerous thing I ever did - drove the EV back home with a can of gasoline for my riding lawn mower.

I ran my mower for a summer and a half with the gasoline that was in the tank of the Metro when I bought it.

Then I had to BUY gas, in an electric car!!?!?! Too wrong. Within two weeks, I had an electric riding lawn mower....(which I am still restoring...)

MetroMPG · 05-20-2010, 11:15 PM

I go to the gas station for air for the tires, mostly. But have also done the ironic "get gas for some other ICE with the EV" thing too.

vpoppv · 05-21-2010, 08:32 PM

Well, it looks like I need to replace another battery

. For the second day, I have a battery showing under 12v. (11.56v today). Sooooo, pull off the bumper cover, the bumper, the headlight buckets....Luckily, today was the last day at school so I have a lot of time!! I also have 3 spare group 24 batteries so no problems there. I do need to go to the recyclers though, since I have about 5 batteries now that are no good (mostly some recent core purchases that just were too far gone).

vpoppv · 05-31-2010, 12:02 AM

So one of my Geos was sideswiped last Monday. The insurance is going to total it (no surprise there). I'm not sure how much I will get, but since I rarely get a lump sum of money, I was thinking that I wanted to spend the money somehow on the electric car projects. I think that the best use of the money would be solar panels. I was thinking about this:

45 Watt Solar Panel Kit

Would this setup be a good choice? Ideally I'd want to use it to be able to charge my car completely solar.