OwnerJim Stefanik
LocationBurlington, Connecticut United States map
Web/EmailWebPage email image
Vehicle1995 Volvo 850
Stock 1995 Volvo 850 Wagon Base.
MotorNetgain WarP9 Series Wound DC
DrivetrainStock Volvo front end. Original
automatic transmission was modified so
that it can be shifted by the driver
with a custom-built computer system.
(Shifts identically to a manual
transmission.) Internal gears replaced
to withstand torque from motor.
ControllerCafe Electric Zilla Z1K-LV-P
Using a Zilla 1K amp Low Voltage. Added
the HEPI Pedal option.
Batteries26, 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded
Each set contains 13 batteries in series,
with 2 sets running in parallel.

Interconnected with 4/0 AWG welding wire.
System Voltage156 Volts
Charger
Custom built charger. Can use either
240VAC or 120VAC 60Hz to charge all 35
batteries in the car simultaneously.
HeaterElectric heater, with electricity heated
seats.
DC/DC Converter None
DC/DC's are too inefficient for my
power requirements. (Large after-
market stereo, power blowers to vent
flooded cell batteries inside cabin,
etc.)
Using extra batteries (10 in parallel)
to make my 12V power. (Except Zilla SLI
power, which has a dedicated battery.)
InstrumentationMulti-Touch display system running on a
JooJoo tablet. Custom software.
Top SpeedNot sure yet. The car isn't done.
Expected top speeds to be in excess of 150
MPH.
RangeUnknown
EV Miles
Start:192,889 Miles (310,358 Kilometers)
Current:192,889 Miles (310,358 Kilometers)
Total:0 Miles (0 Kilometers)
 
    As of 5/2/2010
Seating CapacityWas a seven seater when I got it. Now
it's a two seater!
TiresFour random mis-matched ones for now,
(came on the car when I got it.)

Changing soon. Not sure of brand.
Will get "plain" styled rims, then have
them painted black with red details.
Conversion TimeStarted in early April, estimated to be
finished by late August. Multiple people
are helping out, approx. eight people are
helping with one thing or another.
Conversion CostCar - $1 (Title transfer fee, friend
wanted to get rid of it.)

EV parts = ~$7K

Other parts (non drive related wiring,
switches, computer parts, etc.)= ~$1500

Total cost = ~$8501
Additional FeaturesTransmission re-geared to 2:1 in 1st, 1.5:1 in 2nd,1:1 in
3rd, and 0.5:1 in 4th.

Zilla can be switched from "normal" driving to "Valet"
(which does the quite opposite. It ups my rev limit to
5000, from the "normal" mode's 3500.) The Zilla's serial
interface was brought inside the vehicle cabin using the
old OBD-II plug to make it look cleaner.

Custom paint scheme. "Mazda Style" Electric Blue.

High quality after-market audio system.

Custom-built Cellular/GPS/Wi-Fi interconnected car
security system.

Air conditioning
This is pretty much my summer project & high-school
graduation gift all in one.

code by jerry