Base VehicleNo motorThere's a Skunk on the roadBack graphicAt end of award winning ride
OwnerJohn Neiswanger
LocationGridley, California US map
Web/EmailWebPage email image
Vehicle1958 Harley Davidson Servi-Car
Manufactured by Harley Davidson for Police Departments for parking enforcement and also marketed to other businesses for parts pick-up and delivery.
MotorPrestolite MKU 4005 Series Wound DC
Removed from a pallet stacker and modified to add a front end bearing. Also added an external blower for cooling.
DrivetrainDual reduction drive, cog belt primary and existing single chain to rear end. Overall ratio currently about 10:1
ControllerNavitas PC-325
Hydraulic pump controller for electric forklift. 325 Amps continous and 1000 Amps peak
Batteries8 Trojan T-145, 6.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded
System Voltage48 Volts
ChargerLester 24LC40-10ET
Am parallel charging the batteries in 2 strings of 24V. Using either the Lester 40 amp or a Schumacher 10 amp
HeaterCoat and gloves
DC/DC ConverterCurtis 1400E
Input 24-36 Volts
Output 13.5 Volts
InstrumentationBattery voltmeter and Ampmeter in motor circuit. Tried "Battery Fuel Gauge" but it was not satisfactory.
Top Speed35 MPH (56 KPH)
Base vehicle only went about 45 mph when new. I'd have to rebuild to 72 volt system to get there.
Range65 Miles (104 Kilometers)
Estimated by back of the napkin calculations.
Watt Hours/Mile187 Wh/Mile
Speed checked by radar, current read from meter, 48 volts no voltage drop allowance.
EV Miles
Start:1 Miles (1 Kilometers)
Current:948 Miles (1,525 Kilometers)
Total:947 Miles (1,523 Kilometers)
 
    As of 3/30/2008
Seating Capacity1 adult
Curb Weight1,310 Pounds (595 Kilograms)
With the 8 Trojan T145 batteries and 40 lb Lester charger.
TiresStock
Conversion TimeBasically complete in 14 months. Just the odd bits to keep tweaking.
Conversion CostAbout $2000 and a well stocked corporate bone yard.

code by jerry