| Owner | Tim | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Arlington, Texas United States map | ||||||||
| Web/Email | WebPage | ||||||||
| Vehicle | 1983 Nissan 720 Pickup Small pickup seemed to be the best EV for me. My goal was a 60 mile range so using the estimate of 20-25 lbs of lead per mile I needed something that could carry 1500 lbs of batteries safely. Found this one with a seized motor in Oklahoma. | ||||||||
| Motor | Netgain Warp 9 Series Wound DC | ||||||||
| Drivetrain | Stock 5 speed manual. | ||||||||
| Controller | Curtis 1231C ***UPDATE 6/13/2009 - Curtis controller is working well. See website pics for how heatsinks from old PCs were added to aluminum mounting plate to help keep it cool. ***UPDATE 5/10/2009 - Zilla sold ***UPDATE 4/22/2009 - The Zilla is for sale on Ebay right now if your interested.*** Ordered Zilla in August but couldn't wait until delivery in March so went with the Curtis to get on the road. Not sure I want to rebuild it around the Zilla so it may be available on Ebay when it finally arrives. | ||||||||
| Batteries | 22 US Battery US145 XC, 6.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded 254 AH each. Special ordered Offset-S terminals. ***Update 9/5/2009 - Did full test of my batteries on 8/8/2009 and everything looks great (approx. 25 charging cycles so far.) One battery at 6.48v, two at 6.44v and the rest in between. Checked specific gravity on all 66 cells and had four at 1.245, two at 1.265 and all the rest in between. Looks good to me! | ||||||||
| System Voltage | 132 Volts | ||||||||
| Charger | Manzanita Micro PFC-20 ***Update 9/5/2009 - Charger is working great now but I have one complaint...the timer on the constant voltage stage only goes up to about 2 hours and that is not getting my pack up to full based on specific gravity test. I have to turn the charger off and back on to run through another 2 hour constant voltage cycle before my pack is full. I am looking at getting a timer for my 220v outlet that would turn off the charger and back on in the early morning hours so the pack would be fully charged without manual effort. ***Update 6/13/2009 - It turned out that charger had a faulty part. Returned it to Manzanita for repair and it is working correctly now. I had finally identified the problem to be that the constant voltage phase of the charge was not holding volts constant. Rich at Manzanita told me that total pack voltage should not increase more than 4 volts from the start of the constant voltage phase. ***Update 4/22/2009 - still haven't figured it out completely but with help from the North Texas EV club guys I'm closer. Biggest improvement was to increase the timer from the initial setting of 15 minutes or so to about 2 hours. Still not quite there...suggestions welcome. Chose this charger because I need to charge at work in standard 110 volt outlet. Installed 240v 30amp outlets for overnight charging. I still haven't figured out the right settings to bring batteries up to full charge based on specific gravity. Could use some help from someone using 6v flooded batteries and this charger. | ||||||||
| Heater | ***Update 9/5/2009 - it's getting to be time to address this. I still have the stock heater core in place so will look at hot water options first. If not that then I'll pull the core and fit in a ceramic heater element. none yet | ||||||||
| DC/DC Converter | HWZ1-DC-DC 144V to 13.5V, 25amp | ||||||||
| Instrumentation | 0-500 amp meter, 90-150 volt meter, stock 12 volt aux battery meter. Tach sender and collar for tail shaft not installed yet. | ||||||||
| Top Speed | 65 MPH (104 KPH) ***Update 6/13/2009 - Have those new tires now and have logged over 120 miles on the highway at 60-65 mph. Update 4/19/2009 - Still don't have new back tires but went ahead and took it on the highway for the first time. Hummed right along at 65 in 4th gear. That should be about 3200 rpm by my calculations. | ||||||||
| Acceleration | Update 6/13/2009 - Acceleration is good, even getting on the highway. My shifting is getting smoother. It took some re-learning to let clutch out all the way before hitting accelerator (because of relay to protect from over-revving motor). Seems ok but I'm not merging on to the highway yet. Acceleration in 1st is good but I can't shift smooth so usually start in 2nd. | ||||||||
| Range | 50 Miles (80 Kilometers) ***Update 9/5/2009 - I have made my commute (60 miles round trip) 11 times now and volts are consistently 133 (50% DOD) when I get to work. I charge at 10amps until I leave and have about the same 133 volts when I get home. ***Update 6/13/2009 - I have driven it to work twice, 30 miles each way with 25 miles on the highway. Started with full charge 140.1 volts and when I arrived at work I had 133.5v the first trip and 133.7 the second. That's approx 48% DOD and should improve as my batteries are broken in. I charged up at work these two days for the return trip. Don't know yet. I need 30 miles to get to work where I can charge for return trip. Would be nice if I can make entire 60 mile trip with 80% DOD. | ||||||||
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| Seating Capacity | 2 adults | ||||||||
| Curb Weight | 4,080 Pounds (1,854 Kilograms) Update 6/13/2009 - I am very happy with the weight distribution of the batteries. Front 1,940 (GAWR 2000) Rear 2,140 (GAWR 2440) Total 4,080 (GVWR 4330) Still 250 lbs left for passengers! (weighed 2/24/2009 - no spare tire or jack) | ||||||||
| Tires | Update 6/13/2009 - Went with the Kumho Solus KR21 tires in 195/75R14. I have them at max pressure (44psi) right now but it is a little stiff but "footprint" seems to be minimal and efficiency should be good. Update 4/22/2009: Considering Kumho Solus KR21 tires in 185/75R14 size. Treadwear rating 640, narrower than 205 for less surface contact, 1290 lbs max at 44psi. 205/70R14 Needs new tires before I start driving on the highway. | ||||||||
| Conversion Time | Many, many hours. August, 2008 to February, 2009. Most fun, rewarding project I've ever undertaken! | ||||||||
| Conversion Cost | Estimated $10k including $3k for batteries. I saved all receipts but don't think I want to add them up. | ||||||||
| Additional Features | ***Update 9/5/2009 - Ice water A/C works...even in Texas! I removed the expansion valve from the evaporator and installed plumbing (3/8" ID tubing wrapped in pipe insulation) to the back of the truck where I have a 90 quart ice chest. I'm using a 110v, 1.1amp submersible pump plugged into a 250watt power inverter. The A/C switch closes a relay to turn on the pump. Results? Morning drives in August (outside temp 80 degrees) I had 54 to 59 degree air blowing from the vents. Evening drives (outside temp 92 to 98 degrees) I still achieved 56 to 61 degree air blowing. It's a success! Yeah, but how much ice does it take? Four 2 gallon containers...64 lbs of block ice I freeze in the garage freezer. I use plastic containers and keep 2 blocks in the container to be used for my return trip and 2 blocks dumped into the ice chest with about 2 inches of water. Air lift springs to lift the rear 2 inches to stock height. Relay to open contactor and turn off controller when no load on motor (clutch depressed or shift in neutral) to protect against over-reving motor. I'm rethinking this because shifting is not smooth when you have to completely release the clutch before you can hit the accelerator. Using Universal Battery UB12550 deep cycle 55AH 12 volt battery for accessories. Working well so far. DC/DC converter only on when key is on. |
1983 Nissan Pickup
“Buzz”
Last Updated 09-30-2011
Copyright © 1997-2024 by Mike Chancey