Dual AC MotorsFront BatteriesFinished Rear CompartmentTest Fitting Battery RacksUnfinished Front Battery PackMini BMSEaglePd BeltUnfinished Rear Compartment
OwnerRoger White
LocationLivermore, California United States map
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Vehicle1986 Pontiac Fiero GT
MotorABM 4 DGF132Md-4 3-Phase AC
Semi-custom low voltage AC motor from ABM
Greiffenberger used in the forklift industry.
Bought from ABM Drives Inc. in Ohio, ABM P/N
191.635.000. With the 102V lithium pack and a
650A controller, each motor will put out about
58 Hp, with a peak torque around 120 ft-lbs
each. With the 84V lead acid battery and 550A
controller, each motor will put out about
45Hp. Peak torque is about 110 ft-lbs each.
Max rpm is about 6000rpm.
DrivetrainMid engine, Dual AC electric motors belted
together and connected to a clutch and the
original 5 speed transmission.
ControllerCurtis 1238-7601
72-96V 650A 3 phase AC induction motor
controller. One is used for each motor.
Batteries64 CALB/Skyenergy SE100AHA, 3.20 Volt, Lithium Iron Phosphate
Arranged 32S2P.
Using centralized mini BMS from Clean Power
Auto.
System Voltage102 Volts
ChargerManzanita Micro PFC-30
Universal input 30A in, 40A out
HeaterDBK HR series PTC heater (bought from KTA).
Works okay with the air being recirculated.
Pulls between 1.0 - 1.5kW depending on the fan
speed.
DC/DC ConverterCurtis 1400E 72/96-1211
22A output
InstrumentationSpeedometer
Tachometer
Main battery voltmeter
12V battery voltmeter
Motor/Controller temperature
Battery state of charge gauge
Shift light (programmable)
Check Engine light for fault codes

All the instrumentation is OEM and driven
through an opto-isolator by the Curtis 1238R-
7601 controller.
Top Speed120 MPH (193 KPH)
Not yet tested. Highest speed run so far is 90
mph and it was still accelerating pretty
quickly. The simulation shows a top speed
around 120 mph.
AccelerationMeasured data with lithium pack (1 cell
removed from each pack for NEDRA voltage
class):
0-60 mph <8.0 sec (measured at 30% SOC with
two adults)
Set NEDRA SC/G record on 7-Jun-13:
1/8th mile: 10.063 sec @ 68.904 mph
1/4th mile: 15.766 sec @ 86.401 mph

Measured data with lead acid pack:
0-60 mph in about 11 sec
Will do a modest burnout in first gear. NEDRA
SC/G record set on 17-Nov-07 with both battery
packs in. I ran 4 runs with no charging (the
fouth was just as quick as the first) and
still could run over 20 miles afterwards.
1/8th mile: 11.409 sec @ 59.824 mph
1/4th mile: 18.028 sec @ 74.269 mph
Range50 Miles (80 Kilometers)
Estimated with lithium pack:
~40 miles on the freeway
~60 miles around town

Measured with the lead acid pack:
~25 miles on the freeway
~45 miles around town
Watt Hours/Mile370 Wh/Mile
Measured at the wall for normal driving at 60
mph including full accelerations.
EV Miles
Start:148,972 Miles (239,695 Kilometers)
Current:180,370 Miles (290,215 Kilometers)
Total:31,398 Miles (50,519 Kilometers)
 
    As of 3/30/2023
Seating Capacity2 adults
Curb Weight3,180 Pounds (1,445 Kilograms)
Estimated Weight with Lithium pack: Total 3180
lbs, Front 1370 lbs, Rear 1810 lbs, about 440
lbs over the original weight.

Measured Weight with Lead Acid pack: Total
3780 lbs, Front 1670 lbs, Rear 2110 lbs, Same
44%/56% weight distribution as original but
about 1000 lbs heavier.
TiresContinental ProContact EcoPlus
205/60R15
Conversion TimeAbout 600 hours
Conversion CostTotal around $21k.
Motors $1k each.
Batteries + BMS $9k
Donor car $4k
Controllers $1k each
Charger $2k
Suspension and brake upgrades $1k
Wiring and misc. parts $1k

Note this cost is only for the car in its
present configuration. This does not count
money spent on the previous lead acid battery
pack.
Additional FeaturesThe brake pedal controls regen braking and blends it with the
mechanical brakes. A switch on the clutch disables the regen braking
so it is easy to shift when the clutch is pressed.

For safety, a separate start button was added that must be pressed
after the keyswitch is turned on (and the driver can not be on the
throttle).

For fun, a high performance switch was added to switch between normal
driving mode and a more aggressive drag race mode.
This car was built using 84V AC forklift motors and controllers
which are cheaper than some other AC options. I got this on the
road for the first time in August 2007. Since then I have had to
improve the motor mounts after the motors ripped themselves loose
and replace the battery they damaged. I am slowly working on the
rest of it, but driving it as I go.

I had some problems with the Odyssey 2150 batteries. I vented one
when running around 1400A from one pack repeatedly for relatively
short cycles (~30seconds) with short rests (~30 seconds). I also
damaged one due to charging imbalances. I installed Rudman
regulators on the front pack and the powercheq dc/dc balancers on
the rear pack and have had no problems since.

Update January 2012: I have blown the transmission for the second
time. It is clear I need a stronger transmission. In the process
of finding one.

Update August 2012: I put in the Getrag 5 speed in May and it has
worked fine so far. My lead acid pack wore out and I upgraded to
CALB SE100AHA cells and changed the controllers to the 1238-7601
model at 157,710 miles.

Update March 2023: The CALB batteries have survived lots of abuse,
but finally have died. This car was lots of fun, but no longer
meets my needs (kids to pick up from school), so I will probably
put it up for sale rather than buying new batteries.

code by jerry