1957 Porsche Speedster Replica1957 Porsche Model 356 Replica1957 Porsche Model 356 Replica 1957 Porsche Model 356 Replica 1957 Porsche Model 356 Replica
OwnerJack Rickard
Owner's Other EV2009 Mini Cooper Clubman
LocationCape Girardeau, Missouri US map
Web/EmailWebPage email image
Vehicle1957 Porsche Model 356 Speedster
Special Edition, Ltd Reproduction
MotorNetgain Warp 9 Series Wound DC
Added cooling shroud and blower fan with air filter for
additional cooling.
DrivetrainNetgain Warp9 with Prostreet transaxle. Kept racing clutch.
Lightened flywheel to 9 lbs.
ControllerKelly KDH12120B
1200 amp, 120volt. Hall effect accelerator.
Batteries72 Thunder Sky TS-LFP90AHA, 3.30 Volt, Lithium-Polymer
Two parallel strings of 36 cells. Total storage of about 23
kWh. 180Ah. 80% DOD provides 144 Ah. Vehicle uses 1.8
Ah per mile or about 225 wH.
System Voltage120 Volts
ChargerBrusa NLG511
120/240 vac 25 amp. This is a very programmable charger
which is key to managing the LiFePo4 batteries.
Unfortunately, these units are about $3500.
Heatertwo 1500 watt ceramic heat elements with Dayton blower.
DC/DC ConverterVicor Purpose Built
Two VICOR 110/12 Maxi modules on aluminum heat sink
with high current ORing diode ouptputs. 13.1 volts isolated
output. This provides 400watts per module for 800 watt
capacity. Built 12v aux battery of 16 A123 LiFePo4 cells. 80
amp capacity.
InstrumentationMetricMind E-Vision. Working tachometer and speedometer.
Top Speed95 MPH (152 KPH)
Does 95 mph on highway easily. No float or wandering.
Acceleration0-80 km/hr 6.0 sec
Range85 Miles (136 Kilometers)
Conservatively. Have driven it 107 miles with charge left and
no damage.
Watt Hours/Mile225 Wh/Mile
1.8 Ah/mile
EV Miles
Start:1,100 Miles (1,769 Kilometers)
Current:5,000 Miles (8,045 Kilometers)
Total:3,900 Miles (6,275 Kilometers)
Seating Capacity2 adults
Curb Weight2,190 Pounds (995 Kilograms)
Batteries 550 lbs.

Fairly precise 50/50 front/rear distribution
TiresCord 165/R15 Whitewalls at 40 lbs.
Conversion Time6 months.
Conversion Cost$23,850 for original donor car.
Additional Features3-inch tubular steel chassis instead of pan. Fiberglass body.
Rear view camera license plate.
Tilt up stereo screen with GPS, Rear view camera, bluetooth, IPOD AM/FM DVD
All light bulbs LED
Headlights HID BI-XENON 6000K




Replaced IOTA55 DC-DC converter with home-built unit. Iota delivers 55amps, but
voltage drops to 8.5 volts. This device couldn't keep up with very minimalist 12v
electrical system. Entire car converter to LED bulbs except headlights (HID Xenon)
and the Iota still could not carry the water.

Built 800 watt unit using two VICOR 110vdc modules trimmed for 13.1 vdc.
Measured 80 amp output at 12.25vdc for over an hour- about 950 watts. Mounted
Vicor bricks on 9 inch square ribbed aluminum heat sink, with some 450vdc large
value caps on input and output, switch, LED indicator, etc. Vicor modules were $273
each, but quite worth it. This appears to solve the 12v aux power problem somewhat
emphatically.

05/30/2009. Added two more 4-cell batteries to pack by mounting on TIVAR boards
over existing batteries in rear engine compartment. Extended range to 85 miles and
pack energy to 23,332 wHr. System voltage now 120v with a little higher RPM on
highway to 90 mph.

On 6/7/2009, we achieved a driving distance of 161 kilometers (100 miles) on a
single charge. This did take the batteries to a more or less completely discharged
state. We've settled on a recommended maximum range of 85 miles for the vehicle
with the two additional batteries.

6/20/09 Replaced motor cooling air fan and duct with more compact version using
two 12v 125 cfm fans and aluminum shrouding to cool both the DC-DC converter
and motor with less ducting.

09/15/09. Added relay to DC-DC converter to turn it on/off with ignition switch.

10/10/09 Replaced tires with original style 165R15 Wide Whitewall. Narrower tread,
larger diameter, harder rubber - increased range to 107 miles in one run.

code by jerry