4 Power steering1 The coupling has arrived5 Four under the hood6 The brains7 Batteries in the trunk2 The coupling on the tranny3 Prepping the motor
OwnerMark Conner
LocationOnalaska, Washington US map
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Vehicle1985 BMW 318i /A
MotorAdvanced DC FB1-4001A Series Wound DC
DrivetrainOriginal 5-speed transmission
ControllerCurtis 1231C-8601
Batteries12 Trojan T-1275, 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded
Went with twelve volt batteries to keep weight down. But gee wiz, are they big. I didn't think I was going to get any to fit under the hood!
System Voltage144 Volts
ChargerQuickcharge 144v/12A
HeaterNone, anymore. I have the electric heater, but I haven't installed it yet as it does not help the car move.
DC/DC ConverterIota DLS-45
Instrumentation160V Voltmeter
140A Ammeter
Top Speed60 MPH (96 KPH)
BECAUSE THAT IS THE SPEED LIMIT!
AccelerationEnough to keep from getting rear-ended.
Range30 Miles (48 Kilometers)
Thirty miles with twenty-five miles driving at 55-mph
EV Miles
Start:150,191 Miles (241,657 Kilometers)
Current:150,843 Miles (242,706 Kilometers)
Total:652 Miles (1,049 Kilometers)
 
    As of 9/29/2008
Seating CapacityFive very good friends.
Curb Weight0
Don't know, there isn't a car scale within forty miles.
TiresKelly P165/80R14 that came with the car. Rated for 44lbs max. Inflated to 40 lbs
Conversion TimeBought the car last summer, didn't really start on it until this summer. So far:
3 days to remove engine
7 days removing rest of ICE stuff
2 months working myself up to buy $6k worth of stuff

Pulled the engine July 12, 2007 and I'm finally charging the batteries on August 23, 2008. Over one year.
Conversion Cost+$1000 for car
-$ 200 for ICE
-$ 25 for catalytic converter
+$6500 for components
=$7275 so far

Update: went a little over budget (dam price of lead!). Now over $10k. (Don't tell my wife :o )
Additional FeaturesVacuum pump added for brakes.
Figured out a way to mount the power steering pump to the side of the engine compartment. I just hope it stays there.
Last day the car ran under gas power was July 12th. What a great feeling!

Ordered EV components from EV of America August 7th.

Moved on its own power on August 24, 2008 with the whole family in it.

code by jerry