CriimperEngine compartmentRadiator batteries
OwnerMichael Brooks
LocationSan Jose, California United States map
Web/EmailWebPage email image
Vehicle1986 Honda CRX
Car was given to me with a blown engine.
MotorAdvanced DC FB-4001 Series Wound DC
Purchased on Ebay almost 8 years ago.
DrivetrainOriginal transmission, rebuilt and filled with 5-10 synthetic
oil.
ControllerCurtis 1231C
Wired to EVAmerica's plans with a primary and secondary
contactor.
Batteries45 CALB/Skyenergy 100Ah, 3.40 Volt, Lithium Iron Phosphate
Originally I had 12 Trojan T1275 batteries, 5 up front, and the rest in the rear. When I went to the Li's I got them all in the rear. I left all the racks in the front for bracing, and re-adjusted the torsion bar to allow it to be balanced again.
System Voltage144 Volts
Charger 2 ThunderStruck Motors tms-2500.
Originally I had a select-a-charge 110V very slow chargers.
I now have 2 Thunderstruck Motor's chargers in parallel with a standard EV charge port. At 110V 15A it takes about 8 hours. I have only used 220V 1x and suspect about 1/2 that for a full charge.
HeaterNone yet
DC/DC ConverterIota DLS-45
I tried a Vicor power module, but it blew 2x probably due to
voltage slew near the rated power.
InstrumentationVoltmeter and Ammeter. Still trying to decide what else I
need.

I built a battery monitor system from plans from James May:
WebPage

It works very well, and now I can see as my batteries fade
Top Speed65 MPH (104 KPH)
Usually I drive city streets, max of 45. Expressways around
here are 50 and it does that well.
AccelerationPretty close to stock
Range33 Miles (53 Kilometers)
I haven't had a real need to go further. I suspect 50 would
be OK as long as I'm not doing 65
Watt Hours/Mile18000 Wh/Mile
I average around 35 MPH on city streets. It can get on the freeways fine. The furthest so far has been 9 miles at 65 Mph. With 20 miles max that day
EV Miles
Start:144,195 Miles (232,009 Kilometers)
Current:146,000 Miles (234,914 Kilometers)
Total:1,805 Miles (2,904 Kilometers)
 
    As of 6/7/2019
Seating Capacity2 adults
Curb Weight0
Original weight was 1860 lbs. I need to weigh it to get current weight.

With the Li batteries I suspect I'm actually below the orignal vehicle weight.
TiresUpgraded to 14" rims. 185 60 14
Conversion TimeElapsed time 9 years! In reality when I got serious about 6 months. I removed ICE stuff 9 years ago. I didn't really start seriously until March of 2008. I drove it the first time in Sept 2008.
Conversion Costaround 10K so far. It still needs a paint job
Additional FeaturesI put solar panels on the roof of my house, fed back to the grid (solarcity.com) So
charging is essentially free!

I upgraded the front steering knuckles with '87 Acura Integra knuckles, and replaced
the brakes and rotors with Acura parts, giving me about 20% more surface area for
braking. It stops on a dime now.

Rear springs replaced with Acura Integra springs, put the car back to original height
with batteries installed.

I average about 25 miles a day. I can charge at work if needed.
Thanks to Steve McDonald for insight and motivation.

The below was before I got the EV certification. I took it to a gold station where the guy apologized for my grief. He didn't even charge me to give me the certification. He started taking a bunch of pictures which scared me, it turns out he was teaching a class on EV conversions and wanted to show it to the class...

I suppose now days it would be a breeze..

Californians, beware! I tried after a year to get a carpool sticker, since EV's qualify. Turns out my car was registered as a hybrid, there is no way for a DMV office to change it to electric without a certification from a Bureau of Automotive Repair GOLD station. So now my car's registration is in limbo until I get that completed. Doesn't cost much, $8.25, but there are only a few "GOLD" stations around. I should have left things alone!

code by jerry