| Owner | Paul Pancella | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Kalamazoo, Michigan US map | ||||||||
| Web/Email | WebPage | ||||||||
| Vehicle | 1992 Honda Civic CX Hatchback The base model Civic hatchback from that year, which I bought slightly used in 1993. No power steering, no AC, one airbag. Characteristic rust around rear wheel wells. | ||||||||
| Motor | LMC 2X2-D127 Permanent Magnet DC Two 200-D127 motors mounted in tandem by Lynch. Rated 33/68 hp continuous/peak at 144V. Only weighs about 50 pounds. | ||||||||
| Drivetrain | 5 speed manual transmission, now clutchless. | ||||||||
| Controller | Kelly KDH14501 Rated for 500A (very briefly) at 144V, 250A continuous. Regenerative braking controlled via a third pedal interface. | ||||||||
| Batteries | 11 Saft NHE 10-100, 12.00 Volt, Nickel-Metal Hydride Capacity is about 100 Amp-hours. Liquid cooling jackets, which I am not planning to use. | ||||||||
| System Voltage | 132 Volts | ||||||||
| Charger | Zivan NG3 Includes temperature probe. Programmed for NiMH charging curve, 115 VAC supply. Peak power on the DC side ~1500 Watts. | ||||||||
| Heater | Nominal 1500 W ceramic electric heating element in place of the heater core. High/low switch to use all or half of the elements. | ||||||||
| DC/DC Converter | Iota DLS-30 (Series M) | ||||||||
| Instrumentation | Two bipolar current meters for different ranges. Digital voltmeters for pack and 12V system. PakTrakr for fuel gauge and monitoring balance among traction battery modules. Cheap digital remote thermometers to display motor and controller temperatures on the dashboard. | ||||||||
| Top Speed | 50 MPH (80 KPH) so far. Predicted to go faster. | ||||||||
| Acceleration | fairly anemic. Might need to add another 12V module | ||||||||
| Range | 40 Miles (64 Kilometers) This is the prediction for city speeds, good weather, only verified 27 so far in the winter. | ||||||||
| Watt Hours/Mile | No data yet, still in early testing phase. | ||||||||
| EV Miles |
| ||||||||
| Seating Capacity | 5, although the three in back would have to be small. | ||||||||
| Curb Weight | 2,500 Pounds (1,136 Kilograms) Estimate, not yet measured. | ||||||||
| Tires | Standard all-season, Firestone FR 575. VX alloy rims are on order. | ||||||||
| Conversion Time | Elapsed time: 4 months Estimate about 200 man-hours so far, including myself and everyone else who has labored on hardware. Doesn't count design and research/shopping time. | ||||||||
| Conversion Cost | Right around $15,000 for parts and materials. | ||||||||
| Additional Features | Relatively lightweight, due to the choices on motor and batteries, but expensive for the same reasons. I saved $ome by not needing a suspension upgrade, and I did not cut into the unibody at all. Replacing right outside mirror with camera/LCD screen, and will gradually make other aero mods, like partial belly pan. Solar panels on dashboard to help out the 12V battery during daytime driving. | ||||||||
| Became operational Thanksgiving 2008. Got lots of help from folks online, local buds, and the new Michigan chapter of the EAA (WebPage ). Hope to make it reliable and easy enough to operate that my wife will drive it. | |||||||||
1992 Honda Civic
“Hondatron?”
(under construction)
Last Updated 12-20-2008
Copyright © 1997-2009 by Mike Chancey