Under the hoodFront contactor box detailCharging port detailRear battery box and DC-DCRear battery box 2
OwnerJosh Wyatt
LocationApex, North Carolina United States map
Email email image
Vehicle2002 Ford Focus ZTS
converted from gasoline to electric. On-road since August 2010. I drove this car as an ICE for awhile before conversion, to make sure I liked it enough as a daily driver.
MotorAdvanced DC FB1-4001A Series Wound DC
Standard 9" series-wound motor.
Drivetrainstock MTX-75 transmission.
ControllerCurtis 1231C-8601
Batteries18 US Battery US 8VGCHC, 8.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded
Update 23 June 2012: I let the water get too low in the batts two months ago. All recovered except one, so I'm now running 17 batteries for a system voltage of 136 VDC.
System Voltage144 Volts
ChargerQuick Charge
Heater1400 watt ceramic element from space heater
DC/DC ConverterIota DLS-75
Instrumentationvoltmeter, battery ammeter, motor ammeter
Top SpeedHaven't really pushed it, but easily achieves 75 MPH, which is quick enough for me so far.
AccelerationSlightly not-as-good as the original stock 2.0L DOHC Zetec engine.
Range40 Miles (64 Kilometers)
Estimated. Still breaking the batteries in. Longest round trip was 26 miles, with end-of-trip SOC at 60%.
As of 23 June 2012: Record trip of 43.4 miles.
Watt Hours/Mile270 Wh/Mile
This is estimated. The car pulls about 75 amps at 45 MPH on level ground.
EV Miles
Start:93,300 Miles (150,119 Kilometers)
Current:99,693 Miles (160,406 Kilometers)
Total:6,393 Miles (10,286 Kilometers)
 
    As of 6/24/2012
Seating Capacity4 adults, or 2 adults and 3 children
Curb Weight3,400 Pounds (1,545 Kilograms)
Estimated.
TiresPreviously Kumho Ecsta (what it came with); now Bridgestone Turanza 205-55-R16.
Conversion Time500 man hours? 2 calendar years.
Conversion CostIncluding the glider, probably $20K.
Additional FeaturesGas flap charging port with safety interlock and ammeter; electric power steering from 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder; Light bulb precharge; sound-deadened vacuum pump; custom-wound rear springs (600 pounds over stock); provisions for future AC, BMS, V2G, better monitoring/logging.
What will you do for your children? I did this for my kids - ages 3 and 6. Every day, they see dad drive a car converted to a non-polluting, non-war-mongering energy source, and they saw the conversion performed in the garage at our home.

Many thanks to Chris Simon, with his groundbreaking work on his 2001 Ford Focus.

Update 2012-02-25: Pack is broken in for sure. Record round-trip yesterday of 40.4 miles, with about 25% capacity remaining.

Update 2012-06-23: Even on 136VDC, I achieved a range of 43.4 miles last night. Car now at 99693 miles.

code by jerry