Front batteriesrear batteries
OwnerJon Glauser
Owner's Other EVs1983 Toyota Tercell SR 5
Ranch King
LocationBoise, Idaho US map
Web/EmailWebPage email image
Vehicle1973 Volkswagen Superbeetle
pale blue green, stock everything
MotorD&D Motor Systems, Inc. ES-31 Series Wound DC
a bit small, but it works OK. I'm worried about it getting too hot.
Drivetrainstock 4 speed, no clutch
ControllerCurtis 1231C
Batteries20 Exide GC2-H, 6.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded
Basic golf car batteries supplied through NAPA. They sag a lot (IMO).
System Voltage120 Volts
ChargerQuickcharge 120v/12a
big heavy transformer based semi-smart charger. Isolated. No user adjustments to voltage or current. Pulls 17-18 amps from the outlet at startup, not good for 15A circuits!
HeaterTwin hair dryers modified always on high heat/high speed ducted into the body heater tubes under the rear seat. 3600 watts of heat ought to warm it up quick!
DC/DC Converter HWZ 120->12V 300W
Isolated 300W converter. So far so good. Seems ok when the output is short circuited (whoops).
InstrumentationLink-10, voltmeter, ammeter (Westach).
The voltmeter seems to stick a little.
Top Speed60 MPH (96 KPH)
still unknown. I've had it up to 55 a couple of times.
Accelerationseems the same as the old ICE. On the slow side, compared to the race cars around me
Range30 Miles (48 Kilometers)
expected range. I've had it as far as 20 miles in start-stop traffic on 35 and 40 MPH roads to 60% DOD.
Watt Hours/Mile262 Wh/Mile
From the battery, average speed. 332 Whr/mile form the wall.
EV Miles
Start:31,000 Miles (49,879 Kilometers)
Current:31,846 Miles (51,240 Kilometers)
Total:846 Miles (1,361 Kilometers)
Seating Capacity2 adults
Curb Weight0
I'm sure it's a little over the GVW of 2844lbs with two adults in it! I need to find a scale.
TiresBig O M+S 165R15 86S
Conversion Time180 hours
Conversion Cost$11,000
Additional FeaturesUpgraded to disk brakes in the front (needed).
Changed rear torsion bars to 28mm (26mm would have been better).
Spare tire is still accessible.
Insulated and covered (in the cab) batteries.
I did the conversion for a local Boise resident. She owns it and drives it now. She is very happy with it!

code by jerry