Chuck's 1976 Citroen GS

Owner

Chuck

Location

Brisbane, Queensland Australia ^map

Vehicle

1976 Citroen GS Club
Light and aerodynamic vehicle with hydropneumatic suspension and power brakes. Both are retained but are now powered from a 12v pump.

Motor

Advanced DC 203-06-4001 Series Wound DC
8"

Drivetrain

Front wheel drive with north-south mounted engine and 4sp manual transaxle. Clutch has been retained and adapted to the electric motor. Runs 4200 rpm at 62 mph.

Controller

Curtis 1231C

Batteries

12 Remco 100 AH, 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, AGM
Batteries have been mounted 6 in the engine bay and 6 under the floor at the rear where the muffler and fuel tank normally fit so as not to encroach on passenger or load space and maintain front to rear weight balance.

System Voltage

144 Volts

Charger

Woods 144V 10A
Mounted in the boot in all the space I had by not putting the batteries in there. Takes about 6 hrs to charge after 25 miles.

Heater

Ducting run off one vent outlet on top of the motor. Sort of works just enough.

DC/DC Converter

None
12V system has a 55AH battery that charges when the drive batteries charge. I have a volt gauge for it and it will power everything for way longer than the car will run.

Instrumentation

Motor temperature light, tachometer, speedometer, System voltage, amps and a 12 LED battery comparitor 'gauge'.

Top Speed

100 MPH (160 KPH)

Acceleration

Faster than traffic but nothing special.

Range

40 Miles (64 Kilometers)

EV Miles

Start:	11,755 Miles (18,913 Kilometers)
Current:	16,707 Miles (26,881 Kilometers)
Total:	4,952 Miles (7,967 Kilometers)
	As of 9/27/2015

Seating Capacity

5 adults

Curb Weight

2,260 Pounds (1,027 Kilograms)
Approximately 170 kg heavier than standard.

Tires

Dunlop SP Sport 185/50 R16 @ 40psi with Nitrogen inside (Sticky)

Conversion Time

120 hrs approximately. Not including research time.

Conversion Cost

Approximately $11000 AUD.

Additional Features

The 12 LED comparitor gauge works a treat. When one battery starts under performing then the corresponding light will start to go out on acceleration way before the others. I have some spare batteries so I just swap it out.

March 08. Have killed 2 of the Remcos now but one was before the Zenner charge balancing was fitted. I have not been left stranded yet with a failed battery but I have driven the last few miles in first gear at about 10mph a couple of times.
May 08. Replaced the woods charger with 12 separate 20A switch mode units to better cope with battery balance problems. 2 More batteries replaced, trying a lifeline now.
October 08. Got one Thundersky lithium in there now and performs well range wise but struggles above 400A.
July 10. 2 Full River Agms in. Lifeline and thundersky still going. 3 of the original Remcos are still the best batteries in the pack. Range appears to be 30ish km without damaging batteries.

code by jerry