Artistic rendition by www.rodvisions.comWe're Racing nowNow, with custom-cut stainless emblemsA Peek behind the bonnet, sans valance
OwnerJay Donnaway
Owner's Other EVsPusher Trailer
2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV ES
LocationGraham, Washington United States map
Web/EmailWebPage email image
Vehicle1971 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
One owner car rescued from backyard oblivion, completely stripped and rebuilt to the last screw. Shaved moldings, added early turn signals,hidden brake light, early windshield trim, reinforced pan with sunken battery boxes, lowered suspension and many other custom touches.
MotorHi Torque Electric Custom Rebuilt Series Wound DC
9" super-shortened high voltage motor, the first 'paying customer' for Jim Husted's Hi Torque Electric of Redmond, Oregon. Now online at
WebPage
Drivetrain091 Vanagon transaxle (5 rib) with locking differential, Porsche 944 axles and CV joints. Four wheel disc brakes with both VW and Porsche lug patterns.
ControllerCafe Electric Z1k HV
Batteries200 Saft BB-600, 1.20 Volt, Nickel-Cadmium, Flooded
military surplus jet starting batteries, rated at 30 Ah but has delivered up to 34 Ah, but after several years of abuse, I don't usually see many more than 22 Ah.
System Voltage240 Volts
ChargerManzanita Micro PFC 20
A very early model that Manzanita has twice repaired due to operator error, and has now been upgraded with the Smart Box for fully automatic J1772 operation. Thanks for the excellent support!
Heatereuropean-market 220V hair dryers, controlled by a contactor
DC/DC Converter EV Source 360 Watt
Replaced the DCP 350, which was solid old equipment, but gradually lost it's feedback control, and I accidently shorted it out during one of the increasingly frequent fuse replacements.
InstrumentationBlue Window
Top Speed82 MPH (131 KPH)
Top quarter mile speed, thus far.
AccelerationFrustrating consistant 15.8 second quarter mile times. Battery voltage sag seems to be the main factor in range and top speed.
Range30 Miles (48 Kilometers)
don't think it's worth much over 20 now.
Watt Hours/Mile250 Wh/Mile
Not seeing John Bryan-esque 175 Wh/mile figures probably due to a new, tight heavy duty Vanagon transaxle
EV Miles
Current:3,200 Miles (5,148 Kilometers)
 
    As of 1/26/2013
Seating Capacity2 adults
Curb Weight2,852 Pounds (1,296 Kilograms)
2750 was planned, based upon a 1875 lb glider, a 680 lb pack and cables, and 170 lb of charger, controller, contactors and misc.. The ADC 9" is the same weight as a 1600cc VW longblock. Finished weight is 2852, due in no small part to stainless battery clamps and 390 copper busbars!
Tires165R15 when cruising, 205's out back for the track..
Conversion Time10 years and counting.....
Conversion CostI'd rather not count that.
Additional Features-Custom pan (chassis) with built-in battery boxes at 5" min ground clearance by Rogers Welding, Woodstock GA.
-Body and Paint by Tracey Payes, Boring OR.
redbeardrides(at)peoplepc.com
Thanks go out to Marko Mongillio, Dan Bortel, Roy LeMeur, Steve Marks, Jim Husted, Doug Weathers, Monk, John Wayland, George Tylinski, Jerry Halstead, Mark Farver, Aaron Choate, Brian Hughes, Hans Larsen, the members of Tacoma EV Assoc. and EVeryone else who is helping with this project! Each of these guys has contributed more than one of the following: free parts, even free-er advice, parts bargains, custom fabrication, and actual hands-on help with automotive assembly.

code by jerry