Batteries under the back seatUnderneath the hood
OwnerJason Henderson
LocationTacoma, WASHINGTON United States map
Web/EmailWebPage email image
Vehicle2002 Saturn SL
Stock 02 Saturn with AC, Power Steering, and front door
power locks. The AC was removed, the power steering was
hooked up to a small motor and put on a switch so it is now
optionally available.
MotorAdvanced DC 8 inch Series Wound DC
DrivetrainStandard 5 speed manual
ControllerCurtis
400 Amp on-road, Using this one till the real controller is
finished
Batteries18 Trojan T-875, 8.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded
System Voltage144 Volts
ChargerManzanita Micro PFC30
Handles 30 Amps in and puts out a max of 40 Amps at 220
Volts input. I'm running it on 6 Amps 115 Volts to avoid
blowing breakers.
HeaterCeramic
DC/DC Converter
Actually an RV AC/DC converter
InstrumentationBattery Manager3 has ammeter, Watt-Hours used, Volts,
visual representation of remaining power level, and data port.
Top Speed65 MPH (104 KPH)
My local commute takes me on a small freeway spur, and
then to a local highway where I'm usually doing around 55 or
so for 5 miles in each direction
AccelerationNot bad if I try to accelerate fast, usually I don't to prolong
battery life.
Range30 Miles (48 Kilometers)
My commute is 15 miles each way to the park and ride and
back. It makes the full 30 mile trip. I don't have much juice
by the end because of a monster hill 26 miles in to my
commute
Watt Hours/Mile288 Wh/Mile
EV Miles
Start:98,550 Miles (158,566 Kilometers)
Current:107,500 Miles (172,967 Kilometers)
Total:8,950 Miles (14,400 Kilometers)
 
    As of 9/29/2008
Seating Capacity2 in front, 3 in back. The back seat is several inches higher
than it used to be making it a bit uncomfortable if you are
too tall.
Curb Weight0
The stock car weighs in at 2332 pounds. I'm guessing the
converted car is at +3300
Tiresnothing special
Conversion TimeMid-2006 I started the quest of getting an electric car for
my commute. ago After a year of researching finding a
builder, and a vehicle it was done.
Conversion Cost$3k for the body, $13k for the conversion parts and labor.
Additional FeaturesIt has a vacuum assist pump, battery box heaters with temperature gauges in the
cockpit, the usual emergency shut off, and power steering motor that I can optionally
turn on.
Dave Cloud did a great job putting this one together. It was a hassle because of all of
the weird nuts and screws on it, not the usual Geo Metro he is used to.

code by jerry