Diy electric car

**ghosthunter** · June 11th, 2010 01:46 AM

WIRED MAGAZINE DIY Electric Car Project

Part 1
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/10/ev-conversion/

Part 2
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/11...on-bug-bought/

Part 3
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/11/diy-ev/

Part 4
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/12...gets_batteries

EV-Beetle Blog:
http://www.evbeetle.com/

**ghosthunter** · June 11th, 2010 11:39 AM

**niky** · June 11th, 2010 12:24 PM

Hmmmmm......

Is this regarding our conversation a few weeks ago...

I think I can get the shell, maybe the motor, and perhaps the batteries... but the build isn't up to the part that I can't figure out yet... the controller.

Do I go all golf cart and run sans charge-controller, or do I still need it?

**ghosthunter** · June 11th, 2010 12:39 PM

(left to right) pot-box is like throttle, motor controller gives the right current to the motor based on throttle input, and the contactor is just a big relay (power switch to the high voltage circuit)

the small relay gives power to a special terminal on the controller that turns it on

**ghosthunter** · June 11th, 2010 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by niky

Hmmmmm......

Is this regarding our conversation a few weeks ago...

Well, partly... but I didn't go out of my way to find an ev-beetle conversion just to prove my point that an old beetle would be a good start for an EV project. I just stumbled on it while I was checking on another topic of interest.

I think I can get the shell, maybe the motor, and perhaps the batteries... but the build isn't up to the part that I can't figure out yet... the controller.

Do I go all golf cart and run sans charge-controller, or do I still need it?

Well, you can run the car with the throttle like a light switch, either full on or off. It would be interesting trying to park it in your driveway.

So yes, you'll need a motor-controller to moderate the amount of power from the battery to the motor to have some sort of speed control over it.

As for recharging, its mentioned that a proper battery charger will give the battery pack longer life since it won't experience over-charging.

BTW, golf cart motors are too weak. You'll want something stronger.

**niky** · June 11th, 2010 03:30 PM

And I'll definitely want a better charging strategy than golf-cart style "open-everything-up-and-plug-in"... or I'll be suffering the same issues as the electric bus operators at SM MOA suffered before they converted to gas.

-

Hmmm... controller packages from the US cost quite a bit... but just maybe I can get it cheaper if I have someone hand-carry the stuff down here...

**luckster** · March 11th, 2011 09:03 AM

Originally Posted by niky

And I'll definitely want a better charging strategy than golf-cart style "open-everything-up-and-plug-in"... or I'll be suffering the same issues as the electric bus operators at SM MOA suffered before they converted to gas.

-

Hmmm... controller packages from the US cost quite a bit... but just maybe I can get it cheaper if I have someone hand-carry the stuff down here...

Hi, I am also interested in doing EV conversions and I agree the prices are too expensive. If we do it as a group then we can lower the cost through bulk purchase and economies of scale. I am thinking of starting an EV club.

**safeorigin** · March 11th, 2011 10:13 AM

try these:

http://www.maxwell.com/products/ultr...?PID=K2-SERIES

**donbuggy** · March 11th, 2011 11:22 AM

XR3 DIY three-wheeled hybrid.

http://www.rqriley.com/xr3.htm

**uls** · March 11th, 2011 11:44 AM

Hi, I am also interested in doing EV conversions and I agree the prices are too expensive. If we do it as a group then we can lower the cost through bulk purchase and economies of scale. I am thinking of starting an EV club.

o ayan, EV club daw

electric car advocates put your money where your advocacy is -- MONEY DOWN

buy electric motors and batteries to build your EVs

anybody?

come on open your wallets... don't be shy