| Owner | Andy Herringshaw (former owner, EV has been sold) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Ames, Iowa United States map | ||||||||
| Web/Email | WebPage | ||||||||
| Vehicle | 1988 Mazda 323 SE | ||||||||
| Motor | Azure Dynamics/Solectria AC 24 3-Phase AC | ||||||||
| Controller | Azure Dynamics/Solectria DMOC 445 | ||||||||
| Batteries | 18 US Battery 8VGCHC, 8.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded 183 Ah High Capacity Golf Cart Batteries | ||||||||
| System Voltage | 144 Volts | ||||||||
| Charger | Zivan NG3 120v setup | ||||||||
| Heater | 1500w Ceramic, sealed into the original A/C Condenser housing. Switch will only turn it on if the fan is blowing (A/C circuit). | ||||||||
| DC/DC Converter | Iota DLS-45 | ||||||||
| Instrumentation | SOC, Ammeter | ||||||||
| Top Speed | 65 MPH (104 KPH) Top speed achievable within for 20 miles, but drops after that. At 50 miles, top speed is ~40mph | ||||||||
| Acceleration | Keeps up with urban traffic, slow to enter highways. | ||||||||
| Range | 71 Miles (114 Kilometers) Proven Range - economy mode drive starting at 40-45 mph, and would still hold 25mph at the end. Resting voltage of 142.8 after this drive, showed at 56% SOC = 44% DOD. Limiter stepped in at 49 miles, gradually reducing current from 120A to ~75A over the last 21 miles, thus the reduced speed. | ||||||||
| Watt Hours/Mile | 325 Wh/Mile Average efficiency plug-to-rubber. This is the garage's watt-hour reading compared to mileage over 2000 miles. | ||||||||
| EV Miles |
| ||||||||
| Seating Capacity | 4-5 adults | ||||||||
| Curb Weight | 3,000 Pounds (1,363 Kilograms) Standard weight 2200#, -600# of ICE equipment, +1400# Electric Drive Equipment. Well under GVWR. The change in weight location (much added to rear) makes winter driving scary, as the rear end will start swinging out of a curve on slippery ground. | ||||||||
| Tires | Sumitomo HTR 4 All Season (51psi) | ||||||||
| Conversion Time | 6.5 months, ~200 hours Fabrication was completed in ~6 weeks, but waited for Azure components and then a rework of controller after a failed DC/DC converter burnt a few things. | ||||||||
| Conversion Cost | 800 Donor Car 9200 ElectroAuto Kit 1800 Batteries 650 Suspension 300 Battery Heaters 1850 Everything Else ~14,000 Total Labor ~200 hours | ||||||||
| Additional Features | Suspension: GroundControl Springs 400 #/in Front 550 #/in Rear Front springs are way too stiff, rear ones could be a bit softer - when I asked for them, I told them I was adding 800# to the rear and 300# in front. Battery Box Insulation/Heating All: 1" Polystyrene w/ 1/4" wood panel on exterior Rear: 2x 300w Waterbed Heaters w/ stock thermostat Front: 420w WarmTiles radiant floor heater w/ waterbed thermostat. | ||||||||
| I would recommend the GroundControl springs. For $100/wheel, you get exactly the spring rate you want and adjustable height. 5/31/08 2000 miles since conversion, 63 cycles, and all is well. I tested the range this week and it drove so well! I don't plan to drive the car frequently on 70 mile trips, but a 50 miler on occasion will likely be needed, and now I'm totally comfortable with that range. Update 6/2008 Due to a move that puts me within biking distance of work, I have decided to sell the car. Sold though EValbum's page to a nice family in New York for $15,800. | |||||||||
1988 Mazda 323 SE
“Batt' Betty”
Last Updated 11-23-2010
Copyright © 1997-2024 by Mike Chancey