OwnerScott Harrison
LocationSanta Cruz, California US map
WebWebPage
Vehicle1979 Volkswagen Rabbit
White 4 door 1979 manual transmission VW Rabbit. Seats 4.
Motor
Not documented.
DrivetrainOriginal 4 speed transmission with clutch.
ControllerCurtis 1221
Batteries16 US Battery T-125, 6.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded
8 batteries in front under hood.
8 batteries in sunken rack under rear hatch area.
System Voltage96 Volts
ChargerZivan NG-1
Charger bought new in March 2008.

The juice is supplied by the 3.4 kw grid-tied solar electric photovoltaic system on my roof. This car truly runs on sunshine.
HeaterHeater - warm clothes.
A/C - windows roll down *manually* (it's a feature)
Fans work OK though.
DC/DC ConverterSevcon 128/12
InstrumentationElectro Automotive logo Volt and Amp meters. The analog clock, speedo and odo all work, too. Bonus!
Top Speed65 MPH (104 KPH)
Previous owner says it'll go 75 mph - downhill.
AccelerationNot bad 0-40. After that it's not peppy.
Range50 Miles (80 Kilometers)
Previous owner claims 50-60. We'll see. Longest daily mileage so far is 31 miles.
EV Miles
Start:11,945 Miles (19,219 Kilometers)
Current:12,700 Miles (20,434 Kilometers)
Total:755 Miles (1,214 Kilometers)
 
    As of 11/24/2008
Seating Capacity4 adults and a load of shopping at Costco.
TiresSumitomo steel belted radials
Conversion Time2 years trolling evtradingpost, evtrader, ebay and craigslist for a used EV I can actually afford..
Conversion CostElectro Auto VoltsRabbit Kit:
$10,500 (incl shipping)

Sixteen 6v PbA US Batteries:
$1,000 (est.)

Labor and tools to convert:
$2,000 (est.)

Rolling Rabbit 'donor' glider:
$700 (est.)

Finding a good deal on a used but running VoltsRabbit on CL:
prrrICELESS!
Additional FeaturesAdded since purchase:
- "gas" cap cover of charger socket inlet
- passenger side mirror (cheapo)
- charger base (wood)
- Panasonic CD/iPod/AM/FM player and new speakers, antennae
- 4 VW dog dish hub caps -1 lost already :(
- extra charging cord to keep in the car

Planned improvements:
paktrakr, vent window handles, windshield washer, bumper pads, back door on driver side is stuck closed, spare tire, custom paint job.

Comes with a mysterious random, rattle in the back.
Purchased Sept 2, 2008.
Conversion based on Electro Automotive's VoltsRabbit kit.
Previous owner owned it 6 years in Oakland. Before that someone had it 2 years. Before that it's not clear who owned it or did the conversion. Please let me know if you do.
Maintenance log:
Watered batteries and tightened battery terminals:
10/19/08, 11/23/08,
Before/after trip SOC log kept (on paper so far):

code by jerry