OwnerSteve Powers
Owner's Other EVs1992 Ford Festiva
1979 Plymounth ETV-1
LocationNorcross, Georgia US map
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Vehicle1993 Ford Festiva
MotorAdvanced DC 9 inch Series Wound DC
Drivetrain9" ADC with 5 speed, retains clutch, KTA Services Kit from 1993
ControllerCurtis 120 V, 550 A
Batteries10 Optima Blue Tops, 55 AH at C/20, 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, AGM
System Voltage120 Volts
ChargerSchumacher Speed Charge 6/12 Volt 6/4/2 Amp
These chargers are slow! I have 11 chargers in the car, one for each battery. It takes 12 hours to recharge 10 miles of driving.
HeaterNone. But, I do have a 12 V defroster for the front window.
DC/DC Converter
None
InstrumentationVoltmeter
Top Speed70 MPH (112 KPH)
AccelerationVery nice with only 10 Optima BT's It's light and that makes a big difference.
Range10 Miles (16 Kilometers)
10 miles at 40 MPH. Originally 25 miles running on T-875 Flooded Golf Cart Batts, but I want speed and acceleration more than range. Also, I got tired of burning holes in my clothes with battery acid.
Watt Hours/Mile220 Wh/Mile
Calculated based on pack voltage and batt amps required during road test at 40 MPH on flat ground. More like 300 WH / mi average at higher speed and stop and go driving.
EV Miles
Current:11,200 Miles (18,020 Kilometers)
 
    As of 9/6/2008
Seating CapacityTwo adults. I took out the back seat to save weight and give easy access to the batteries.
Curb Weight2,200 Pounds (999 Kilograms)
Tires13" stock tires
Conversion Cost$11,000 in 1993 + $2500 in 2007 + $1500 in 2008
Additional FeaturesConverted when new, so the mileage is very low.
This is my 5th EV. Very good performance, but short on range. I use it every day for my daily commute - 10 miles / day. I sure wish it had a 156 V controller so I could push the range up to around 13-14 miles. Sometimes, I have to go home and get a different car just to make shopping trips after work.

code by jerry