OwnerMike Chancey
Owner's Other EVs1980 Jet Electrica 007
1988 Honda Civic
Razor E-punk
2013 Nissan LEAF SV
2020 Chevrolet Bolt LT
LocationKansas City, Missouri United States map
Email email image
Vehicle1990 Honda Civic EX sedan
MotorHonda 1.5 Liter 16 valve, 4 cylinder, multi-port FI
original 1.6 has been replaced with an '88 1.5, and fitted with the exhaust manifold and catalytic converter from a 12 valve.
Drivetrainstock 4 speed automatic transmission driving wheels
Batteries0.00 Volt,
InstrumentationIn Trailer:
tachometer
speedometer
fuel level
water temp

In Car:
fuel level
water temp
Range300 Miles (482 Kilometers)
Not really sure yet.
Seating Capacitynobody, its a trailer
Curb Weight800 Pounds (363 Kilograms)
(estimated)
TiresGoodyear Eagle 185/60R14 for now, will replace soon as these are pretty worn
Conversion Timeabout 4 weeks work, but spread out over several years.
Conversion Cost$500 estimated. Car was $200, steel about $100, new radiator about $100, probably about $100 more in wireing and connectors.
Additional FeaturesThe original steering wheel with the cruise control buttons were installed in the EV.

The EV's previously unused water temp and fuel level guages are now tied to the trailer.

currently has a 600 Watt inverter to drive 120 VAC charger on EV for trickle charging. I will be upgrading this to something more useful in the future, probably a 3000 Watt PowerMite type generator driven by the engine, if I can find room to mount it.
This thing is remarkably easy to use. Once connected to the EV, it is started by switching on a toggle in the EV, then turning the EV's ignition switch to "start". Once towed to a speed over 25 mph, the OEM cruise control can be activated, and the trailer begins pushing the EV. The sensation is basiclly like coasting, except you can coast uphill. :^)

This adds a whole new utility to my EV (see WebPage ) I can now take it out of town when requested for EV displays.

I am still working on three upgrades:

1) A direct throttle to allow full and instant control of the pusher engine speed from the EV. One option is to extended throttle cables to the accelerator pedal in the EV or to a twist grip throttle on the parking brake handle. Another is an air throttle system from a rear engine bus. A third option would be a servo from an RC car or perhaps a stepper motor.

2.) Fitting the 3500 watt PowerMite generator.

3.) A remote control function to shift the transmission from drive to neutral and back.

1/26/2014 The pusher has basically been pointless, too much trouble to hook up and all it does is point out the limits of my EV conversion. It has now not been used in several years.

code by jerry