Ownerthingstodo
Owner's Other EV1990 Chevrolet Sprint
LocationSaskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada map
Vehicle1991 Chevrolet S-10
Proof of concept test vehicle - more like a non-proof of concept. This experiment proved to me that a surplus industrial AC motor needs a transmission
MotorGeneral Electric 40 hp, 575 V 3-Phase AC
Surplus (ebay) squirrel cage induction motor, T frame, very heavy, TEFC for now. Fan will be replaced with forced air blower
Drivetrain3-phase induction motor coupled to 4x4
transfer case. Industrial VFD powered by lead acid batteries to start. Industrial PLC for safety and controls
Controller Square D, Vsd 57, amoung others
Various industrial vfds of different voltage and output power used during testing. Future open source build is possible
Batteries12 Mixed salvage from various sources, 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded
A mixed bag of whatever I can find
System Voltage144 Volts
ChargerMastercraft 6 amp trickle
Slow and steady to start. Maybe a homebuilt when I get closer to driving it
HeaterCeramic - at least thats the idea
DC/DC ConverterVicor to be determined
Not purchased yet
InstrumentationS10 electronic dash, with PLC (industrial computer) driving gauges
Top Speed70 MPH (112 KPH)
To avoid being run over by other traffic. Its a target.
AccelerationExpected to be poor. Like an electric golf cart on the way back to the clubhouse.
Range30 Miles (48 Kilometers)
This is my design range. A few miles extra for a head wind and cold weather would be nice
Watt Hours/Mile500 Wh/Mile
Design target. My commute to work is not complicated. 5 stop or yield in 30 miles. My gps shows an average of about 45 mph now
EV Miles
Start:300,000 Miles (482,700 Kilometers)
Current:300,000 Miles (482,700 Kilometers)
Total:0 Miles (0 Kilometers)
Seating Capacity2 adults, but mostly 1 - commute to and from work
Curb Weight5,000 Pounds (2,272 Kilograms)
This is below GVWR by the weight of the driver - me. Again, target
TiresWinter tires right now -never changed after it was parked
Conversion Time15 months of actually doing things so far. Years of thinking about it. I have 'thrown it in the corner' for now until I solve some technical issues.
Conversion CostUnder 2000 so far, no batteries, small test-sized surplus vfds
Additional FeaturesPower steering needs to stay. Power brakes as well.
June 2012 - I discovered that SalvageS10 originally had rear ABS so that needs to work to pass Saskatchewan vehicle inspection. I cannot locate parts.
Will link to the build log after it gets less embarrassing and shows some actual progress

Well - July 2012 and I have realized that the build log will ALWAYS be embarrassing.

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August 2012 - The electronic dash failed, the transfer case will not work without the bearing in the transmission. The coupler I planned to use did not pan out, motor -> front drive shaft -> transfer case -> rear wheels.

Diverted to another project - build an Electric Motor Module for WIKISPEED, www.wikispeed.com

If I can get that working, I will revisit SalvageS10

Feb 2013. Purchased a used 9 inch netgain series wound DC. This may have enough torque to move the truck without a gearbox. I still need to figure out how to direct-drive the rear diff.

The netgain is intended for testing in the Electric Motor module of the WIKISPEED car ... but who knows?

code by jerry