dash compleatedunder hoodAir cond cond.Awaiting PaintDash and floor
OwnerWilliam Brinsmead
Owner's Other EVs1992 Toyota MR-2
1992 GMC G-Van
1994 Chevrolet S-10
Trike
1996 APS Bus
Little Boy
My 1st EV
2012 Nissan Leaf
LocationReno, Nevada US map
Email email image
Vehicle1973 Cadillac Hearse
completely gutted and converted to EV
MotorNelco N200ML012 Separately Excited DC
Monster 385lb Sepex motor (with interpoles) and both internal and external forced air cooling. I've never seen the motor get warm enough for the external fan to kick on. Power rated at 60HP (45kw) and 238 ft. lbs. (Nm) torque continuous. Peak power unknown, but I'm sure quite massive.
DrivetrainG-Van drive train, Sep EX Nelco motor and a Chloride Controller, Phil S. Described it nicly for his G-Van:
The rear axle is "flipped" so the drive spline faces aft and where the fuel tank normally would live, there is a stubby little drive shaft that feeds into a custom-built transfer case. The electric motor is mounted longitudinally on the passenger side and connected into the transfer case. The whole assembly is mounted on rubber mounts to a subframe that bolts up into the van. The drive ratio of the transfer case is 1.85:1 and the axle is 4.875:1. In the transfer case, They have an electronic speed pick up and a parking pawl lock system just like an automatic. It's nicely built, but can "whine" a lot during regen. (much like the way a standard transmission does in reverse)
ControllerChloride Mark 5-A
A nice description again from Phil S.:
High Frequency PWM based on a single massive 500A Darlington power block and a smaller (300A) one for Regen. There is also a smaller 4-quadrant PWM drive circuit for the SepEx field. Two 600 amp contactors break both positive AND negative pack voltage. All control circuits are optically isolated from everything else. Completing the unit is a 40A @ 14v DC-DC converter. Built on a massive cast heat-sink with a fiberglass top cover
Batteries36 Saft STM 180, 6.00 Volt, Nickel-Cadmium, Flooded
System Voltage216 Volts
ChargerManzanita Micro PFC 20
HeaterDiesel fueled hot water
DC/DC ConverterBelktronix 60 amp
This is in addition to the 40 amp DC to DC in the chloride controller
InstrumentationLink 10 and custom gauges
Top Speed60 MPH (96 KPH)
AccelerationHey, it weighs over 7000 lbs, but should keep up with traffic nicely plus it will be more aerodynamic than my G-Van that is my current daily driver.
Range60 Miles (96 Kilometers)
Depending on terrain and speed
Watt Hours/Mile1 Wh/Mile
EV Miles
Current:400 Miles (643 Kilometers)
Seating Capacity3 adults or more
Curb Weight7,700 Pounds (3,499 Kilograms)
on the heavy side
Tires6 ply 15 inch
Conversion Time4 years
Conversion Cost20k with a lot of scrounging
often refered to as a 22 foot long black hole to pour money into :-)
Additional FeaturesWith vacuum brakes and MR2 electric steering, instead of the old G-vans continuous hydrolic pump, requiring a continuous 5 amp draw, overall effcincy has inproved. Air conditioning uses a 3 phase compressor driven with an inverter from the pack, Power steering is done with a two speed controller and MR2 electric pump.
Due to the sepex motor regen is excellent, up to 150 amps!
Now on the road with new paint. many more small details to work out.
Many thanks to John Jessie for his skillfull metal fab, welding, fabrication and powder coating of the battery racks and other assemblies so motor and batteries could installed under the deck. Without Johns help this project would not have been possible, If you need similar high quality work he can be reached at:jjj(at)775.net

To begain this project I was fortunate to acquire a second G-Van with a beat up body, but good running gear as a parts donor. The '73 Hearse came from Santa Rosa Ca. with 9500 original miles, engine trouble, and some rust from salty air. Now painting is all done ,front carpet and music installed. I am in process of replacing the rear deck inside as to be faithful to the original and still provide easy access to batteries and motor. More Photos coming asap.
Our local EV club is at WebPage
https://www.facebook.com/william.brinsmead

code by jerry