OwnerDale Huntsman
LocationReno, Nevada United States map
Vehicle1984 Cushman Minute-Miser
MotorBaldor Series Wound DC
Baldor
DrivetrainBelt to stur gear Differential
Controller
mechanical contacts with resistor wires for 3 speeds
BatteriesTrojan J-305, 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded
System Voltage24 Volts
ChargerVanner Electronic
off board
Top Speed6 MPH ( 9 KPH)
Range50 Miles (80 Kilometers)
Seating Capacity1 adult
Curb Weight500 Pounds (227 Kilograms)
Tires480 X 8 tubeless with Goop inside to avoid flats
I built the Big Giant Head for Burning Man 2000. I used 1/2" EMT conduit to build the shape of a Head on my 1984 Cushman Minute-Miser industrial tug. I found the Cushman at the Regional Landfill, (the dumps), where I rescued it from the bulldozer. I installed new batteries and put air in the tires, that's all it needed! I up-graded from T-105 batteries to J-305 batts to extend the drive time for use all night at Burning Man. I have been very happy with the extended distance/time capabilities. I can drive around Burning Man for six to eight hours. I also added two L-16 batteries to run a 2000 watt inverter just for operating the Christmas lights that adorn the Big Giant Head. Those two batteries last exactly the same amount of time as the drive batteries do. When my motive batts run low, coincidentally, my lighting batts run low too. The systems are not connected together in any way, they are just closely matched for capacity-vs-load. The stealthy quiet effect of electric propulsion is perfect for the Burning Man atmosphere, where surreal artistic creations surround the observer and bring an overload to the senses. The silent passage of the Big Giant Head, with only the sounds of my wind chime being heard, was observed to be one of the favorite auditory/visual Art Car effects on the Nevada desert.

code by jerry