OwnerJay Evans
LocationJacksonville, Florida United States map
Email email image
Vehicle1974 MG B
RB (rubber bumper) roadster.
MotorNetgain Impulse 9 Series Wound DC
This is the biggest DC motor I could fit in
there. Still had to notch out the front
crossmember to fit it in.
Drivetrain4-speed non-OD with clutch. Use 2nd gear
for surface streets and 3rd for highway
speeds. Motor adapter and hub from
www.electriccarinternational.com.
ControllerCurtis 1231C
Believe I had some soldering issues with
the Paul and Sabrina kit. The controller
was running even with 2 of the MOSFETs and
part of the board turned to charcoal. I
decided to get a Curtis and I'll repair
the kit later.
Batteries38 CALB/Skyenergy 180AH, 3.20 Volt, Lithium Iron Phosphate
From Mike at Lithium Storage. 14 in the
trunk, 8 in the engine bay, 16 where the
passenger seat used to be.
System Voltage120 Volts
ChargerElcon PFC3000
Mounted on a service cart. Not carried on-
board to save weight. I'm only charging at
home anyway. Using 240V. Fully charges
overnight.

When I added four batteries to the pack I
got a new charger because the PFC3000 is
not user programmable. I sold the old one
on e-bay for about half of what I paid for
it so it was by no means a good decision.
SECRET: Depending on how old your charger
is, you may be able to change the number
of cells yourself by holding down some
buttons on start-up. Google that before
you buy a new one for an uprated pack.
HeaterScreaming hot Florida sun
DC/DC ConverterKelly HWZ Series
1 - HWZ Series DC/DC 108V to 13.5V 30W.
Charge the original battery which
powers the 12V system. I had another. It
broke.
Instrumentationrechargecar.com Warp speed sensor plus
off-the-shelf aftermarket tach.
Westberg ammeter between controller and
motor. Distributed BMS from
Clean Power Auto. Hall effect sensor
plus EV Display from Clean Power Auto
with many, many display options.
Top Speed70 MPH (112 KPH)
Hit 70 in 3rd gear at 5500 RPM. That's
at the end of the available torque,
but it cruises at that speed as long as
there's no headwind.
AccelerationCommuter car performance. Not a race car.
Range60 Miles (96 Kilometers)
This is mostly at highway speeds. I drive
the car daily to work and back - 40 miles
round trip - and have 38% fuel left
Watt Hours/Mile294 Wh/Mile
50mph average. Commute includes periods of
65-70 mph plus some stop & go.
EV Miles
Current: Miles (0 Kilometers)
Seating Capacity1 adult - removed the passenger seat and
moved 16 of the batteries there from the
engine compartment to offset my weight on
the driver's side.
Curb Weight2,650 Pounds (1,204 Kilograms)
Estimated. Added 100 - 200 pounds to the
pre-conversion weight.
TiresPrime Well P185/75R14
Conversion Time9 months - some of which was brake and 12V
wiring rehab.
Conversion Cost$14,000 including cost of donor, new
brakes all around, new tires and new
wiring harness. Financed completely with
tax rebate on solar panels and sale of
2004 pickup.
Additional Features2.88 kW solar array added to the house to offset the
electricity used to charge Nigel, so there's no combustion
anywhere in the chain. Nigel is truly a green machine.
9/23/2014 - Dang! I just added up the MAJOR components only
and the replacements I've had to buy and in two years. I
revise my cost upward to ~$20,000! I could buy a new Leaf
outright for that! I did enjoy the build, but Dang! It kinda
got away from me. FREE ADVICE: If you just want to drive
electric and think you'll be able to do it cheaper as DIY,
maybe you should rethink that. If you want the challenge
though, go for it.

7/4/2014 - Wanted to move the open revolt controller and add
a heatsink. When I took it out I found two burned MOSFETs. I
have no idea how long they had been burned. Amazingly the
thing was still running! Replaced it with a Curtis 1231C. My
wife is very, very patient with my hobbies.

6/2/2014 - Added a Jabsco blower and forced air coverband to
the motor for cooling. It makes a noticeable difference.
After a half hour trip at highway speeds the motor is only
warm to the touch.

12/14/2013 - Changed the 12 volt battery to an Optima Yellow
Top deep cycle. The DC/DC converted doesn't put out enough to
keep it topped off, so I also charge that at home each night.

10/13/2013 - Added another 4 CALBs, so the car now has a 120V
pack. Still using it for my daily commute.

5/18/2013 - Nigel is back on the road with the clutch this
time. I also replaced both u-joints. My range has actually
increased by 8%. I'm pretty happy about that - approaching
Leaf range.

12/17/2012 - Arghh! Looking into a vibration I found the
motor shaft shattered inside the coupler! The Netgain guys
say it was a severe misalignment. The coupler guy says it
was a bad motor shaft or my installation of the coupler.
Either way I'm off the road for a while. I'm reinstalling
the clutch and having an adapter and hub made by Electric
Car Parts Company/Utah.

9/8/2012 - Odometer is broken but I've driven it to work 9
times in two
weeks (360 miles) plus dinner and ice cream runs. I have no
range anxiety.

code by jerry