OwnerRichard & Fiona Blinco
LocationMarino, South Australia Australia map
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Vehicle1983 Suzuki SS80V
Two seat, lightweight panel van, aka 'Red Rocket 1'. Bought as a partially completed project. Formerly three cylinder 800cc ICE.
MotorD&D Motor Systems, Inc. ES 10E-33 Separately Excited DC
DrivetrainOriginal 4 speed gearbox, no clutch. Custom built adapter plate with a Lovejoy coupling.
ControllerSevcon PowerPak
Batteries6 Power Sonic DCG 12-100, 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Gel
System Voltage72 Volts
ChargerZivan NG-1
HeaterTwo 12V travel hair dryers for demisting. Mounted directly into vent outlets under dash. Rocker switch to activate.
DC/DC ConverterSevcon
Top Speed45 MPH (72 KPH)
RangeNot a lot at the moment! Batteries have been sitting around for quite a while. Not doing as well as expected. Hoping to rejuvenate them otherwise it might be Lithium Iron Phosphate sooner than we had hoped.
Watt Hours/MileNot tested yet
Seating Capacity2 adults
Curb Weight1,587 Pounds (721 Kilograms)
Originally 600kg
Conversion TimeLots.
Conversion CostInitially $6000 - Car with motor, electrics, batteries and housing complete.

Other costs - Engineer's report $500, repairs to charger $400, lots of other misc items maybe $1000. Second hand and surplus materials/parts sourced by my brother.
Conversion originally started by Derek Clarke who set up the electrics, motor and battery housing. Bought the car in a drivable state but requiring more work to get it past a DETI inspection.

Had some issues with the motor/gearbox alignment so we replaced existing motor adapter plate and coupling with a new aluminium adapter plate designed and fabricated by my brother Ian. He also fitted a Lovejoy coupling. Got rid of the clutch as part of this overhaul.

Repairs to the gearbox gear selector arm, replaced drive shaft seals. New (second hand) seats, seat belts, roof lining, battery ventilation system, new aluminium battery housing lid, polyurethane(?) sheeting under car, installed PakTraker system, motor temperature sensor, some minor rust repairs and a bunch of other minor but fiddly bits!

Thanks to Fiona for insisting on buying an electric car. Ian for his engineering, fabrication and problem solving skills, Mum & Dad for lending us their shed for a few months longer than expected and a more than occasional helping hand.

'Red Rocket 2' already under development courtesy of Ian! 2003 Holden Barina - a considerably more modern vehicle with greater safety.

code by jerry