Reading what other EV builders have done and recommend I measured some things before removal of engine etc. Top pre-surgery procedures included the ride height at all 4 wheels, weight at each wheel and later engine and transmission position. Left front= 26″ ground to fender above center of wheel Right front= 26″ gfacw Left rear=…

July 26 2008 So with the Saturn in the Garage, my mind can start visualizing the next steps. 1. Taking notes, measurements or pictures of the inside and outs of the Saturn. 2. Dis-assembly; removal of engine, radiator, air conditioning parts (condenser, compressor, dryer, lines), transmission will come out with the engine, gas tank with…

Deciding on the Donor Vehicle. I read several EV books and scanned the internet sites and forums and here is what I gleaned. 1. Full-size pickups are too heavy. 2. Small pickups especially S-10 and Ranger are the favorite. They work out very well with the heavy batteries being these trucks have a full frame…

I decided on a compact car, not too small. Then I narrowed it to 3: Ford Escort, Honda Civic or Saturn SL1. They had to have….. 1. A manual transmission, 2. 4 doors 3. Trunk 4. No rust 5. No body work needed 6. It must run well enough to drive home unless she’s close…

1.       Economical: Cost less to operate. Cost for energy at $.09 a kilowatt is $1.00 for every 50 miles.  An ICE getting 30 MPG at $2.90 a gallon is $4.83 for 50 miles. One half to one third the cost for maintenance even with the electric car’s extra replacement battery costs. 2.       Emotional : Build…

The TOP TEN Beginning Decisions For EV Builder 1. Motor: size, style, brand, torque 2. Controller size, brand (must fit motor) 3. Vehicle to convert: pickup, subcompact, compact 4. Tools needed 5. Batteries: lithium-ion, lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, nickel metal hydride, lithium-(etc) and hydrogen fuel cell 6. Battery boxes and ventilation 7. Instrumentation 8. Other electronics and…

June 2008 The first few months I spent gathering information building on the backs of others who have experimented with them for years. Electric storage beginning in the 1890’s and then in 1905 Thomas A. Edison announced he had perfected his storage battery for electric vehicles. On the Moon, Lunar Rover Electric Vehicles in 1971…