Motor and Air Conditioningcharging "port"
OwnerKevin Shumway
LocationSalt Lake City, Utah US map
Email email image
Vehicle1994 Mazda Protege
MotorAdvanced DC FB1-4001A Series Wound DC
Label says rated to 120 volts. Bob at EVAmerica uses it regularly up to 144 volts.
DrivetrainFront wheel drive, manual transmission
ControllerCurtis 1231C
500 amp
Batteries9 Trojan T-1275, 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded
I may switch someday to a heavier and more powerful pack of 8 volts now that I'm figuring out how to update the suspension with coil overs from Ground Control.
System Voltage108 Volts
ChargerZivan NG3
Tuned down from 120 volts to 108.
HeaterI went through the first winter without a heater. (!) I'm about to have a higly efficient Espar diesel heater custom installed. I expect to use about 1 gallon of fuel or less per month. This should preserve my lessened winter range, and keep us all very comfortable inside.
DC/DC ConverterAstrodyne
Top Speed70 MPH (112 KPH)
so far
Accelerationpretty much like a regular car in city driving
Range35 Miles (56 Kilometers)
Some hills and a lot of stop and go. Probably as little as 20 miles on the coldest days, and over 40 miles in the summer, all depending on the route.
Watt Hours/Mile350 Wh/Mile
EV Miles
Start:183,206 Miles (294,778 Kilometers)
Current:187,900 Miles (302,331 Kilometers)
Total:4,694 Miles (7,552 Kilometers)
 
    As of 9/9/2008
Seating Capacity5 adults
Curb Weight2,860 Pounds (1,300 Kilograms)
Not quite enough battery weight over the front wheel drive tires, due to trying to keep air conditioning components. Will remedy. See below.
Conversion Time7 months to driveable. Now working on various details.
Conversion CostAfter tax credits, about $9000 to drivability.
Additional FeaturesChild booster seats:) Most importantly, since January 25, 2008 this car has been charged with solar panels on our home's roof!!! Lovin' it.

I wanted air conditioning (see compressor in photo). After going through a typical Salt Lake City hot dry summer without it working yet, I don't think that it's worth taking up space that could have been used for batteries. My family was OK. We just kept the windows down and carried a spray bottle. I may look for reusable aerosol bottles for "misting" for next year.
Big huge thanks to Allen Grover and Nile Cole with Grandeur Heights Electric Vehicles, and Bob Batson at EVAmerica.

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