OwnerDavid Harrington
LocationActon, Massachusetts US map
Web/EmailWebPage email image
Vehicle1996 Honda Civic LX
This is a great little car, that I named "Civicity" because I
wanted to keep the Civic name, and combined it with
"electricity". It has also earned the name "Putt-Putt" because
it is the smallest car at the house.
MotorAdvanced DC K99-4007 Series Wound DC
Same thing as a K91, just a different shaft. Rated at 10 HP Continuous @ 96 Volts.
DrivetrainAutomatic 4 Speed Transmission, keeping the torque converter and going to idle the motor.
Controller Custom
96 Volt 500 AMP current limited controller. Operating at 2 KHz and can handle up to 600 AMPS, but I have it limited to prevent motor/battery damage. Completely hardware controlled for simplicity and easy repair. (That, and I don't trust software to run my car.)
Batteries8 Everstart MAXX29, 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded
The Everstart MAXX29 DC @ 125Ah should give me 35 miles to 80 % DoD.
System Voltage96 Volts
Charger Husky 12 Volt 10/6/2 Smart Charger
I will be using eight of these, one for each battery. I bought one and I am quite impressed with it so I am going to buy some more.
HeaterOriginal Heater Core, but with transmission fluid from the
Automatic transmission flowing through it. May come up with something else later if that is not enough.
DC/DC Converter Custom
Unsure, I may create one out of an ATX power supply.
Top Speed55 MPH (88 KPH)
Not tested, but calculations show I could go about 55 MPH before draining way too many AMPS from the pack. The calculator says 81 MPH max, but I would probably be frying the motor and the batteries at that point.
AccelerationNot Tested- Hope it's enough, but don't really care. As long as the car moves, I will be happy!
Range35 Miles (56 Kilometers)
What I am hoping for to 80% DoD.
Watt Hours/Mile175 Wh/Mile
From ev calculator @ 1% grade going at 40 MPH.
Seating Capacity5 adults
Curb Weight2,575 Pounds (1,170 Kilograms)
This is how much it should weigh when I am done. The original weight is 2300 lbs.
TiresToro Radial Touring Reduce Rolling Resistance.
Conversion TimeAbout 120 Hours of research so far.
3 Hours so far on Charger system.
40 Hours on Controller Research/Prototyping
2 Hours Desiging Motor Coupler

Conversion Cost$600 for Civic
$264.92 for K99-4007 Motor

$1550 so far, and it's almost complete. I estimate it will be
about $2300 with battery pack when complete.
Additional FeaturesAir Conditioning, Power Steering, Power Brakes all hooked up to a separate 1.5 HP motor in case I have to cut the main power, I can still control the car.
This is my first conversion, and it's on a really small budget.I now have all mu parts and I hope to have the engine out in the coming weeks while waiting for the coupler to be machined. Check out my website for updates!!

I have the goal of 35 miles at 45 MPH, but I believe my commute has a 40 MPH speed limit or less for the entire thing.

The motor may be on the small side, but all I am going for is a gas-free car that gets me around town. I plan on driving back roads anyways since the highways around here are crazy.

code by jerry