OwnerGary Bartz
LocationJoplin, Missouri United States map
Email email image
Vehicle1981 Volkswagen Rabbit
Originally built converted by Southcoast Technologies. Bought by
Eagle Picher but was never used except as a parts car. Previous
owner had it for 6 years but never had time to restore. After 6 years
he sold it to me.
MotorSiemens 1GV1 Shunt Wound DC
17 KW (23 HP) @ 130 V and 150 A
Drivetrain4 speed original VW manual transmission
ControllerEHV Systems EHV-1
Full voltage applied to armature all the time. Field current is limited
to 10 amps. It is PWM which causes the armature to draw more
current increasing the motor rpm's
Batteries20 Energizer GC-2, 6.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded
These batteries are built by Johnson Controls and sold by Sam's
club
Charger GPD-1
Built by American Monarch
Heaternone yet
Air conditioning is a coleman refrigerated cooler with 15 water
bottles frozen each evening. I keep the refrigerator running off a 12
volt power supply at work during the day and then run a small 12
volt blower to cool the inside of the car on the way home in the
evening. Gets to about 84 degrees inside the car by the time I get
home on 100 degree day.
DC/DC Converter
Chinese EBay special 120volt to 13.8 volt DC/DC 30 charging
capability.
InstrumentationDakota Digital
Top Speed65 MPH (104 KPH)
In theory
AccelerationPretty good. Better than my 2.5 liter Subaru.
Range40 Miles (64 Kilometers)
Watt Hours/Mile324 Wh/Mile
Averaging 54ah on 20 mile round trip to and from work.
EV Miles
Current:720 Miles (1,158 Kilometers)
 
    As of 7/29/2012
Seating Capacity2 adults
Curb Weight3,200 Pounds (1,454 Kilograms)
Have not weighed it yet but based on other SCT conversions
Conversion Time4 months
Conversion Cost$2000 for car
$1600 for batteries
$250 for charger
$120 for DC/DC converter
$250 for miscellaneous parts
Additional FeaturesThis car is basically a 30 year old stored vehicle. After cleaning off all of the dust and grime from
30 years of storage, this car is basically a brand new vehicle. I know that it never had any run
time as the rear inner wheel bearing was never installed although the seal was there. When I
went for it's maiden voyage the grinding was the first clue that there was an issue. Rear brakes
had no wear and had never been adjusted. Also it was obvious that there had never been a front
end alignment done to this car. It also drives like a new car.

code by jerry