Rear Battery setUnder front hoodInteriorRear seatCharging doorAir Condition installedNew TrunkDyno Test.
OwnerKittipol Saengoumnuayporn
LocationLaksi, Bangkok Thailand map
Web/EmailWebPage email image
Vehicle1996 Volkswagen Vento 1.6 litre
4 Doors
Motor Series Wound DC
9 Inch surplus motor. This motor weights hefty 180 lbs.
Reverse by contactor.
DrivetrainModified 4 Speed Automatic Transmission. Direct coupling with fixed gear ratio. Remove around 20kg of transmission parts. Very low friction, the drive shaft can be turned effortlessly by hand!
ControllerCurtis 1231C-8601
Mounting on large heatsink. So far so good, but current limit at 500A seems to be annoying. Will later on develop own controller with +1,000A capability.
Batteries10 Trojan T-1275, 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded
System Voltage120 Volts
Charger
5 Individual switchmode Charger (Prototype) +90% efficiency. BMS. Will complete charging the empty pack in 8 hours. Goal is not fast charge, but aim to prolong battery service life.
HeaterThailand is very hot
DC/DC Converter
Using separate 12V accessory battery with additional charger.
Instrumentation104-130V meter,
0-500A ammeter
Top Speed65 MPH (104 KPH)
3rd Gear fixed at around 4.3:1
AccelerationGood low end speed around small road and congested area, but a bit slow in highway. Thai people, especially in Bangkok, drive much faster and meaner than in the USA.
Range55 Miles (88 Kilometers)
at 90% DOD with highway run most of the time and Air condition running.
Watt Hours/Mile200 Wh/Mile
Fully charged pack deliver about 55 miles range at constant speed of 50mph (A/C on). It takes 9.8KWH to fully charge the pack back. Less than 200W/H per Mile. For stop and go trip, it may take more than 350W/H per Mile.
EV Miles
Start:58,980 Miles (94,898 Kilometers)
Current:60,000 Miles (96,540 Kilometers)
Total:1,020 Miles (1,641 Kilometers)
Seating Capacity5 adults
Curb Weight3,097 Pounds (1,407 Kilograms)
Original 2,860 lbs.

TiresOriginal 185/65/R14
Conversion TimeAround 2 months
Conversion Cost$12,000 USD without donor car
Additional FeaturesUpdate:

June 2009:
(1) Complete air/conditioning with motor driven A/C compressor.
(2) Vacuum brake assist


Aug 2009:

Air condition seems to lower range by only less than 10%. (due mainly to low engine compartment heat).

Will go back to use fixed 2nd gearing (around 6.45:1 ratio) to boost low speed torque and this may increase range a bit by that lower amp consumption during take off. Will post top speed later.

Next:

New IGBT based controller will be updated soon.

code by jerry