OwnerEric Starmer
Owner's Other EV1963 Renault R8
LocationMosier, Oregon United States map
Email email image
Vehicle2009 Sauna
This started out as a fibreglass personal sauna that I picked up at a yard sale. My girlfriend said "What are you going to do with that?" I said "I'll think of something".
Motor Series Wound DC
Two 24 volt wheelchair motors
DrivetrainElectric wheelchair reduction gears
Controller
Original wheelchair speed control
Batteries2, 12.00 Volt,
System Voltage24 Volts
Charger
Original 24 volt charger which came with wheelchair
HeaterNone required (it's a sauna, after all!)
DC/DC Converter
None
InstrumentationAnemometer
Top Speed5 MPH ( 8 KPH)
Estimated
Seating Capacity1 adult
Conversion Cost< $100
Additional FeaturesAnemometer on top combined with small disco ball for party time if there isn't enough wind to sail.
I live in the Hood River area of the Columbia Gorge, where windsurfing is popular. Fifteen or twenty years ago they used to have what they called "Gorgemobile " contests, where people showed off the (often weird)vehicles they used to carry their windsurfing gear. I made this as a special entry - I seem to remember it won some sort of prize (definitely not the fastest!)

The motor burned out a short time later (it had a single 1 HP 12 volt motor), so it took up space in the back of my garage until this week, when I decided it was time to get it going again, this time with motors etc. from a folding electric wheelchair which was also taking up space. I haven't put the new motors, etc. in yet, but it should be easier than my other vehicle (The Electric Frog)

code by jerry