Under Ye Olde HoodMotor MountedCharger plugRear Batteries
OwnerAlex Chamberlain
LocationHurricane, Utah US map
Email email image
Vehicle1995 Geo Tracker
"BEV" is my personal project of about 2 months. This is my first conversion, and it works beautifully.
MotorD&D Motor Systems, Inc. ES-15A Series Wound DC
Motor produces 10hp cont. 40hp max. Max safe RPM's of 6,500 according to manufacturer. Can be run at up to 120v.

Oct. 2008 - Motor just burned up. I guess it was too small for the Tracker after all. I'm now on the lookout for a larger, beefier motor on the cheap, since I'm well out of cash for this project. Drop me a line if you know of something. Thanks!
DrivetrainOriginal 5-speed manual transmission coupled to motor with clutch removed (simply let off gas pedal to shift - works great).
ControllerAlltrax AXE 7245
72 volt, 450A Max (2 minute rating), 300A 5 minute rating, 200A 60 minute rating. Computer programmable for acceleration, etc.
Batteries12, 6.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded
These are made by Johnson Controls and purchased at Costco. I have them connected in series by 7" lengths of copper plumbing pipe with the ends smashed and drilled-through.
System Voltage72 Volts
ChargerSchumacher SE-1072
Simple charger capable of charging 6 12v or 12 6v in series.
HeaterNone (It's 117 degrees outside)
DC/DC Converter Everstart Deep Cycle Marine Battery
12v from Walmart.
InstrumentationAmmeter
Top Speed55 MPH (88 KPH)
Won't do this uphill at all. Matter of fact, it won't do this speed anywhere now that the motor's dead. Looking for a replacement. . .
AccelerationFast starts, slow to get up to speed.
Range35 Miles (56 Kilometers)
I actually haven't tested this. I've gone about 16 miles without charging and it didn't seem "tired" at all. But as of yet, I haven't had any need to go any farther.
EV Miles
Start:139,542 Miles (224,523 Kilometers)
Current:139,865 Miles (225,042 Kilometers)
Total:323 Miles (519 Kilometers)
 
    As of 10/30/2008
Seating Capacity4 adults
Curb Weight2,800 Pounds (1,272 Kilograms)
Also a guess. I'll update when I get a chance to weigh it. My battery pack should weigh about 756 lbs, my motor is 63 lbs. Beyond that, there's probably 50-100 lbs of extras.
Tires225/75/R15
Conversion Time2 months
Conversion Cost$4,200.00 + $600 for engine-less tracker.
Additional FeaturesBrake pump from a Volkswagon.
As mentioned above, the ES-15A Motor just died after only a little over 300 miles. I'm looking for an 8" or larger replacement if anyone has one for sale. I'd like to give it a paint job someday too. Like everyone else, I'm waiting for Lithium Iron Phosphate to become a lot cheaper.

code by jerry