what's your top speed and range? thanks.

On a fresh charge I can maintain 60 mph on a flat and level road for a few miles. Last night, lights on, I drove to work on I-75 and going down hill I reached 70 mph and uphill 50 mph. I exited I-75 running 55 mph after 23 miles. I parked at work and had traveled 23.7 miles. My state of charge gage was on 2% charge remaining. I believe I could have gone maybe 2 more miles. I am on my 38th charge and my mileage continues to increase. I hope to get 30 miles by the 60th charge.

Great job…!
1.What was the total cost of the conversion?
2.How long did it took you to complete the project?
3.also… why you choose a DC motor instead of an AC motor…!?

Thanks! DC motor, controller, contactors, DC DC Converter, and pot box plus the adaptor plate, motor coupling, battery charger, gages, fuses, wire, connectors, battery box material, air shocks, and other misc odds and ends – about $5000. 96 Volt battery pack was $1450 – includes deposit. Started May 5, 2008 and drove it July 18, 2008 7 weeks. Why a DC motor over an AC motor? Cost. AC motors operate at high rpm that have to be stepped down, and have expensive and complex speed control systems.

One of the MOST informative uTube vids on ANY subject I have ever viewed…… THANK YOU……

AND

Vary nice project indeed…..

Also, Suspect you are a wood worker. I too am a wood guy. Just love 2C all the wood in your project. Not to mention cost of tools to work with wood n the wood it self is relatively inexpensive along with the great insulating properties to boot.

Again, congrats on your great project….

Glennnnnnn

Ps By chance can U re gen break this beauty?

Thanks, I appreciate the compliments. I do have a little wood working experience from the past. I used a jigsaw, drill, sander, and miter saw for this project.

You can do the regen but I felt like it was not cost efficient. This is a DC system and the regen works much better with an AC system.

I have had request for more wiring videos. I thought about making a wiring diagram using wood pieced for the components but was not sure if anyone would want that. Thanks again!

so nice job.
probe extended km using and colecting back emf
for charge batery??
look bedini pulse motor is amazing.

Thanks

Awesome video! Great information. Will you add more batteries for extended range at some point? Also, do the batteries create fumes?

I have thought about more batteries but that means an additional expense for batteries and charger. 96 volts gets me back and forth to work which is why I built this car.

The batteries only put off a gas while charging. I cannot drive the car while the batteries are charging so I do not have fumes while driving.

any website for speedcontrols??????

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

yes!!

I did a search for Electric Vehicles Potentiometer Speed Controller and found a couple. The one I use came as part of a kit I ordered.

Not a pretty car? Its a work of art! Beautifully assembled clearly laid out.Can I ask where you sourced your Motor contactors Speed control etc.Thanks for an incredibly inspiring video!

Thank you for the comp. I purchased a kit from Electric Vehicles of America. It had all the components I mentioned in the video. Thanks again…

Very nice execution.

Thank You !

What do you figure the kit and car cost? Also, what is the range you can travel? Why did you choose a beetle? Anyway, nice job (again).

The kit, wire, wood, and misc items totaled about $5000. The batteries were $1450. The reason for the VW Bug is because I already owned it. I have had the car for 4 or 5 years. Temperature affects the batteries. Summertime I get around 28 30 miles per charge driving 0 60 MPH. Winter I can get about 14 18 miles driving 0 50.

Thanks for the info. Do you get better economy if you use the gearbox? Also, how long does it take to charge the batteries? Have you noticed any problems because of the battery weight (chassis flex) and could you increase the range by increasing the number of batteries or have you reached the point of diminishing returns. Thanks again and great project!

I use 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gears. Depends on the speed. Have not kept it in one gear for a full charge. 7 hours to charge the batteries. More batteries would mean more voltage which means more power and range but more weight. The car is already 760 lbs heavier than stock. Did not notice any flex. If I were to go with more batteries I would use a Chevy truck. Thanks