Front batteriesrear batteries
OwnerJon Glauser
Owner's Other EVs1983 Toyota Tercell SR 5
Ranch King
LocationBoise, Idaho United States map
Web/EmailWebPage email image
Vehicle1973 Volkswagen Superbeetle
pale blue green, stock everything
MotorD&D Motor Systems, Inc. ES-31 Series Wound DC
a bit small, but it works OK. I'm worried
about it getting too hot.
Drivetrainstock 4 speed, no clutch
ControllerCurtis 1231C
Batteries20 Exide GC2-H, 6.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded
Basic golf car batteries supplied through
NAPA. They sag a lot (IMO). (27Aub11) Have
needed to replace about 1/3 of the pack to
keep it going. Several stinkers appeared.
Still getting usable range however!
System Voltage120 Volts
ChargerQuick Charge 120v/12a
big heavy transformer based semi-smart
charger. Isolated. No user adjustments to
voltage or current. Pulls 17-18 amps from
the outlet at startup, not good for 15A
circuits!
HeaterTwin hair dryers modified always on high
heat/high speed ducted into the body
heater tubes under the rear seat. 3600
watts of heat ought to warm it up quick!
DC/DC Converter HWZ 120->12V 300W
Isolated 300W converter. So far so good.
Seems ok when the output is short
circuited (whoops). (27Aug11) After 34
months (2480 hours) of continuous
operation, it died. Not sure the root
cause, but it no longer puts out
voltage.
InstrumentationLink-10, voltmeter, ammeter (Westach).
The voltmeter seems to stick a little.
Top Speed60 MPH (96 KPH)
still unknown. I've had it up to 55 a
couple of times.
Accelerationseems the same as the old ICE. On the slow
side, compared to the race cars around me
Range30 Miles (48 Kilometers)
expected range. I've had it as far as 20
miles in start-stop traffic on 35 and 40
MPH roads to 60% DOD.
Watt Hours/Mile262 Wh/Mile
From the battery, average speed. 332
Whr/mile form the wall.
EV Miles
Start:31,000 Miles (49,879 Kilometers)
Current:45,665 Miles (73,474 Kilometers)
Total:14,665 Miles (23,595 Kilometers)
 
    As of 8/27/2011
Seating Capacity2 adults
Curb Weight0
I'm sure it's a little over the GVW of
2844lbs with two adults in it! I need to
find a scale.
TiresBig O M+S 165R15 86S
Conversion Time180 hours
Conversion Cost$11,000
Additional FeaturesUpgraded to disk brakes in the front (needed).
Changed rear torsion bars to 28mm (26mm would have been
better).
Spare tire is still accessible.
Insulated and covered (in the cab) batteries.
I did the conversion for a local Boise resident. She owns it
and drives it now. She is very happy with it!

code by jerry