The charge portThe pot-boxInside the magic silver boxRear battery boxThe new under hood experience
OwnerJon Glauser
Owner's Other EVs1973 Volkswagen Super Beetle
Ranch King
LocationBoise, Idaho United States map
Web/EmailWebPage email image
Vehicle1983 Toyota Tercel SR 5
Brown station wagon with brown plaid seats. SR 5 model. No longer in use.
MotorAdvanced DC FB1-4001 Series Wound DC
9" with tail shaft
DrivetrainStock manual 6 speed FWD/4WD transaxle. The clutch is still removed.
ControllerAuburn Scientific PC600-144 Kodiak
600A max. The aluminum heatsink base is drilled for water cooling. But I dont need the extra cooling
Batteries16 Exide GC2-H, 6.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded
Supplied through NAPA. Seem to sag a lot.
Died earlier than expected after 2 years of 5 days/week use.
System Voltage96 Volts
ChargerRussco SC30-120 SO
With buck transformer for more charge current. Finally died after 10 years of charging. Still functions as a bad boy though.
HeaterCeramic core in the old heater box.
DC/DC Converter HWZ 300W 12V
DC converter good for 25A and a 14Ah gel battery. The converter is powered on when the key is in 'run'.
InstrumentationVoltmeter, Ammeter, Link 10, Palm IIIxe with EVDash for logging. Working on a device to display SOC on the fuel gauge.
Top Speed60 MPH (96 KPH)
I took it on the freeway a couple times, I got it to 60MPH in a 55 zone for 3-4 miles miles. My normal driving keeps me on 40MPH or less roads however.
Accelerationcan be driven like a 4 cylinder. Not impressive, but not too slow until the batteries get below ~50%
Range20 Miles (32 Kilometers)
Mathematically 30 miles to 80% DOD. Ive been as far as 21 miles on a charge. I'd say I can get 20 miles to 60% DOD for long life. But the batteries sag enough that at 20 miles it's like driving a dump truck
Watt Hours/Mile280 Wh/Mile
My commute is 35MPH streets for 6 miles (one way), keeping up with traffic, with a full stop every mile. moderate hills.
EV Miles
Start:96,512 Miles (155,287 Kilometers)
Current:102,518 Miles (164,951 Kilometers)
Total:6,006 Miles (9,663 Kilometers)
Seating CapacityIt has 5 seat belts.
Curb Weight0
I still need to find a scale.

GVWR is 3265lbs
GAWR is F:1565/R:1740lbs
original curb weight was 1950-2100lbs
TiresMichelin Proxima RR. Green X. P165/70R13. 937lbs 51PSI.
Conversion TimeForever. It will never be done!
It's done now!
Conversion CostI bought the complete EV for $50. I added about $50 worth of brackets and enclosures (many were free), a new link-10, and $1500 in batteries.
Additional FeaturesIt had air conditioning on tail shaft, but for more battery space I removed it.
Power steering is removed.
Tachometer functions.

Originally converted in 1994 by EcoElectric in Arizona. Eventually donated to Boise State University in 2003(?), then auctioned to me in 2006. I upgraded it and started driving it in 2008

My blog details most of the existing systems and all the changes I have done. See it here: WebPage

I have removed the clutch and regret not doing it sooner!

Failing:
motor coupler
battery charger
batteries
air-adjust suspension
registration

Not worth the money required to fix/maintain anymore. This vehicle will be stripped and scrapped.

code by jerry