wtmusic's Electric Car Project / Chapter 2

[wtmusic]

Things are moving slowly largely due to my lack of mechanical experience (determination will get the job done, but unfortunately doesn't move things along any faster). My son has been a valuable assistant, and we have spent a lot of the last six weeks buying tools and learning how to use them. The remainder of our time has been spent emptying fluids and disconnecting and carefully labeling everything from electrical connections to drive axles.

Yesterday we rented an engine hoist for $60 and lifted the engine from the car.



I was able to purchase a factory shop manual and wiring manual on ebay, which have been invaluable (believe it or not, there is bonehead step-by-step instruction on how to remove the engine).

The next steps are separating the transaxle from the engine block, removing the back seat, and building cardboard mockups of batteries to figure out where to put them. We are in a constant state of flux regarding number of batteries/configuration, but Bob Batson of EVAmerica has been extremely helpful, offering advice and running calculations. The latest: 11 Trojan T-1275 12V batteries for a total voltage of 132V, battery weight of 913 lbs, a range just short of 50 miles, and a top speed of around 75mph. The rule of thumb for 12V wet lead-acid batteries is 1 mile of range for every 20 lbs of lead.

Thanks to muriel_volestrangler for quite correctly attempting to curb my boyish optimism for range in Chapter 1. The car will lose no usefulness as an errand/commute vehicle with 50mi range; my typical daily drive is far less.

Chapter 1:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=115&topic_id=80356

Blog:

http://www.mpelectriccar.org/blog/