Beetle 2 Electric
Converting Volkswagen Bugs to Electric, and more EV stuff.




Electric VW Beetle Conversion Details II

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Comments

This is a brief description of how I wired up the 73 EV Beetle

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Comments on Electric VW Beetle Conversion Details II

October 31, 2008

SirTragain
6:48 am #

The video identified some components but didnt help in explaining how to wire anything.

You showed a warning horn and said it would alert you if your motor over heats but then said its never gone off; how do you know if it works? Is there a redundancy safety shutdown? What is it hooked too? Did the motor come with an internal sensor or does the horn come with one?

How does the inertia sensor work? What are its limitations; 5 10 MPH impact? What happens if it is triggered?

SirTragain
6:49 am #

Im not trying to be rude or mean; I subscribe out of curiosity so a helpful video explaining to us that dont know how to read an electrical schematic on what does what, how and why would really be useful.

As I understand it, the DC/DC converter is taking the place of the 12 volt auxiliary battery and is utilizing the vehicles pack batteries and stepping the voltage down to feed all your 12 volt systems.

Thanks and please do keep us informed.

SirTragain
6:55 am #

Sorry,

I rewatched the video and you said the DC/DC converter is used to charge your auxiliary battery so then you must have one onboard.

keyhole7i
9:08 am #

Before installing the horn I hooked 12 volts to it and it made an audible sound. Yes, the motor has 2 wires protruding from the case where the horn can be attached. The inertia switch, I'm told, is the same as one used on a gas powered vehicle with an electric fuel pump. In case of crash the electric fuel pump is disabled. Not sure of the impact speed to activate. When activated, a plunger under the red rubber cap extends. Depress red cap to reset plunger. Very difficult to explain w/o schematic

keyhole7i
9:16 am #

I understand. I am a far cry from being an electrician. I asked for help while doing this project too. I'm not quite sure how to make a video on how to wire up the complete system.

keyhole7i
9:19 am #

Yep, you got it. As a matter of fact, to save a little on weight, I took the 40 pound 12 volt battery out and put in a 20 pound 12 volt lawn mower battery. Not much of a weight savings but every little bit helps.

SirTragain
12:45 pm #

Ive been trying to find State & Local laws here in Maine for what requirements a conversion needs to meet.

I have a 93 Plymouth Grand Voyager from Georgia (never seen salt) with 150k in need of valve guides to stop its smoking habit and was thinking it would make a good candidate as the suspension was designed for 7 passengers.

Probably a pipedream of mine due to finances at this time but Im still intrigued by the idea.

keyhole7i
1:33 pm #

I'm sure you have heard the lighter the vehicle the better. I've seen pictures of VW Vans being converted but nothing as large as a Voyager. I went to the GA Tag Office and inquired about an Alternative Fuel License plate and the tag office gave me the phone number of an individual who would verify my vehicle was total electric. I meet up with this individual and took him for a ride. He said can you go 55 mph? So I took him to 60 mph and he said that's all I need. I can get an AFV tag now.

SirTragain
8:31 pm #

Actually Chrysler made a few of them just like Ford did with the Escape and Toyota RAV4.

keyhole7i
9:19 pm #

Oh…I thought you were talking about DIY home builts.

March 14, 2009

unixmansira
5:48 am #

a web site for speed condrols????????

March 15, 2009

keyhole7i
6:19 am #

Are you referring to the pot box which is a Potentiometer Speed Controller?

March 18, 2009

keyhole7i
2:07 pm #

I did a search for Potentiometer Speed Controller and found a couple of sites.

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