Front BatteriesElectric Daihatsu CharadeRear Batteries and ChargersAdvanced DC 6.7 inch motorFront RackRear RackVacuum System
OwnerDavid Rowe
LocationAdelaide, South Australia Australia map
Web/EmailWebPage email image
Vehicle1991 Daihatsu Charade
MotorAdvanced DC X91-4001 6.7 inch Series Wound DC
This poor motor has had two near-death experiences through accidental overheating.
DrivetrainUpgraded pressure plate and clutch to handle 100% increase in torque over ICE. Stock clutch was slipping. Would go clutchless next time and save $ as we just use 3rd gear and reverse.
ControllerCurtis 1231C
Small heatsink, doesn't really get hot to touch in our car, even on 43C days.
Batteries10 Optima D31A Yellow Top, 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, AGM
75AH at C/20, but tested around 40-50AH new at typical 60A EV current. These batteries have been problematic - contact me for details. Not recommended.
System Voltage120 Volts
ChargerPowertech MB-3612
10 Powertech 12V 12A chargers, one for each battery. Low cost and treats each AGM nicely compared to one series string charger. Works OK but slow and cheap fans in each charger have needed replacement. These dual-stage chargers do not have an equalisation phase (to equalise cells in an individual battery) so I equalise each month with a bench power supply.
HeaterTravel hair dryer in air con box for demisting.
DC/DC Converter
13.5V 36A
InstrumentationThe difficult to spell Paktrakr WebPage Has saved batteries a few times by showing a low battery but gets confused when accelerating and charging.
Top Speed80 MPH (128 KPH)
Estimated, still accelerating at 100km/hr, but top speed not relevant in this car - it spends it's life happily cruising at 60 km/hr.
AccelerationFaster than ICE to 60km/hr. We just use 3rd gear all the time, no gear changes.
Range30 Miles (48 Kilometers)
40km @ 80% DoD in stop start 60 km/hr metro traffic.
Watt Hours/Mile400 Wh/Mile
400 Wh/mile at the wall (10kWh charge for 40km). As low as 130Whr/mile cruising at 35mph. Draws 5kW (37A @ 132V tested) cruising at 35mph.
EV Miles
Start:145,592 Miles (234,257 Kilometers)
Current:147,730 Miles (237,697 Kilometers)
Total:2,138 Miles (3,440 Kilometers)
 
    As of 10/4/2009
Seating Capacity2 adults
Curb Weight2,300 Pounds (1,045 Kilograms)
1060 kg, up from around 850kg in ICE configuration.
Conversion Time12 months part time, maybe 300 hours total
Conversion Cost$14,000 (AUD) excluding donor car and chargers.
Additional FeaturesCharged from 2kW grid-connect PV array.
My wife and I drive this car every day, about 200 km a week. We typically do 15 km (30% DoD) between opportunity charging and sometimes cover > 50 km/day in a 40km range EV. Our poor ICE is an orphan - no one wants to drive it! Surprisingly, we have found that a modest range, 2 seater lead-acid conversion handles 90% of our driving needs.

code by jerry