rear batteriestransmission meets the motorMotor Controllerstainless steel mounting plateCustom Gas Tank Battery RackUnder the hood
OwnerMichael Sant
LocationPortland, Oregon United States map
Web/EmailWebPage email image
Vehicle1970 Volkswagen Beetle
MotorD&D Motor Systems, Inc. ES-15A Series Wound DC
ES-15A Series Motor 40 HP Peak - 12 HP Cont
Drivetrain4 speed stock transmission minus the clutch
ControllerAlltrax 7245
72 vdc/450 amp
Batteries9 Energizer GC8, 8.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded
Deep cycle golf cart batteries bought from the evil Sam's
Club, seem to be similar to US battery.
System Voltage72 Volts
ChargerSchumacher 12-72 VDC
5-10 amp (adj. voltage 12-72 VDC)
Heaternone yet
Instrumentation50-150 VDC Volt Meter
0-500 Amp Meter


Top Speed40 MPH (64 KPH)
Slow to get there! Still breaking batteries and brushes.
Accelerationok up till 25MPH
Range25 Miles (40 Kilometers)
Only getting about 5 miles now, but i have a problem with
the motor.
EV Miles
Current:1 Miles (1 Kilometers)
Seating Capacity4 light people
Tires4
Conversion Timemany months, still not done!
Conversion Cost$4600 so far!
Additional Featuresdisk brakes, converted gas tank to hold batteries.
I am looking for people in the Portland, Oregon area to swing by and help me get this
beast on the road! If your in town and want to help or just learn more about electric
cars, give me a shout and we can learn together!

UPDATE: 10-12-09 Maiden voyage was a success! Drove it around neighborhood,
seemed quite sluggish, probably need to charge batteries more and break in motor. But
wow was that cool!

UPDATE: 10-31-09 My motor has quit! I think the coupler has pushed up against the
motor face and caused it to bind up, it started making this loud whining noise as I
accelerated, I think it's the bearings, taking apart tomorrow. The small set allen bolt
does not seem to be adequate to keep the coupler in place. Has anyone else had this
issue?

code by jerry