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| Another EV Conversion; this one is not a Metro | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Mar 10 2014, 07:21 PM (1,237 Views) | |
| evmetro | Mar 10 2014, 07:21 PM Post #1 |
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I have not been posting a lot lately on my Metro conversions, but I still have the 93 3/5 in the works. I have been putting time into a Cadillac Eldorado conversion, which is why I have not been posting much on the Metros. If anybody is curious about that project, here is a link to the build thread on it on a different forum. http://www.diyelectriccar.com/forums/showthread.php/cadillac-eldorado-86066.html It is loaded with pictures like the metro build threads are here. |
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| Freeman | Mar 11 2014, 07:47 AM Post #2 |
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The Family Man
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That's a big motor. Haha. I am not a fan of checking multiple sites though. So maybe I'll check back here every now and again. Just bump this up I guess. I'm pretty eager to see how this turns out. |
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| georandy | Mar 11 2014, 08:59 AM Post #3 |
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Thanks for sharing ev. I've been wondering how the caddy was progressing and where to look to see it, I felt certain that you were documenting it somewhere. |
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| Coche Blanco | Mar 11 2014, 12:05 PM Post #4 |
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Troll Certified
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Your work is always awesome, I wish I could stop by and hangout/help/get in your way. |
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| evmetro | Mar 11 2014, 06:25 PM Post #5 |
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Thanks Coche. It takes a lot of work to become a known builder. It's kind of like trying to make the big leagues in sports or becoming a rockstar. Maybe I will make it one day. Hopefully this Caddy will get me on the map.... |
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| georandy | Mar 11 2014, 10:03 PM Post #6 |
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I spent 2 hours reading your threads in the link you posted. A real effort. Some of the DIY guys comments were rather harsh, but I like the way you took it and persevered with even more determination. I'm sure there are a few in every crowd. Glad you figured out the pics posting bit. I agree whole heartedly with you on the "Plug" issue!!! I still feel that ev's can be "battery pack" swappable, like a cordless drill or power tool. Universal slide in connections, not like the power tool market. One size fits all, although some may take 2 or even 3 battery packs, depending on the size and performance of the vehicle. Service stations with hand operated fork lifts that install/plug them in from the front where the engine is on ICE's. Your dead one is your deposit, pay only for the electricty and install as part of the deal. For a tip the installer/technician might even check your tires and wash your windshield just like the old days. At home, plug it in to a recepticle of your choice using a plug of your choice (minimum 12-2 w/ground.) I don't think government intervention is the way (unnecessary,) rather manufacturer/industry agreed upon standards to make it happen. Jobs created, not much infrastructure necessary, not an extraordinarily overhead for service stations/convenience stores on highways and so inclined neighborhood stations. A back-in-time atmosphere of service stations with the modernization of convenience stores. Get a fresh pattery pack while you use the facilities, get a fountain drink or a fast food, hop in and go. Check the weather, maps, road conditions, preorder your food and pay all from your onboard computer touch screen. I'm getting way ahead of myself; beam me up Scotty, I have mail to download. The trucking industry will remain on diesel unfortunately for years to come unless some technological breakthrough happens. Hybrids could happen there though, and probably a first step in that arena. Just thinking out loud again. Keep up the good work. I still want to come out one summer. Looks like I'm not alone. Somebody with Handle "CB." I see a Metro Road Trip in the works, from Alabama I'm just about halfway.
Edited by georandy, Mar 11 2014, 10:07 PM.
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| evmetro | Mar 12 2014, 12:06 AM Post #7 |
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I ponder the battery infrastructure quite a bit, but recently have been putting a lot of thought into the conversion concept as a business. If it costs anywhere from 25k to 100k to convert an old worn out car to electric, but it also costs 25k to 100k to go down to the local auto mall and pick up a brand new EV, why the hell would anybody do a conversion? The answer is actually quite simple. When you buy new, the car depreciates at an alarming rate. At the end of the ten year life of the lithium, the car is worth less than the cost of a new lithium pack, so the car is essentially totaled. Since all of its components are extremely proprietary, the EV parts are worthless as well since they only work on that one year, make and model. When you do a conversion, the car is already full depreciated, but you install universal components that are interchangeable with other conversions. These components have nothing to do with the blue book value of the car, and they are assets. If you wreck your ride, you can take out all of your assets and transfer them to another car, or even liquidate them and stick them in the bank. While the components will be go down in value a little since they are used, they will still retain an awful lot of value. I keep focusing on the conversion market as having a lot of potential for selling EV components and even a rolling chassis ready for bolt and ride components to bolt into. Ok, enough rambling for now... |
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| Marty3d | Mar 14 2014, 12:02 AM Post #8 |
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Advanced Member
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EV, I've been lurking a bit and watching your various posts for some time. I really like your work. Unfortunately I can't afford any of it. However, I have recently been inspired to start a bicycle conversion using my own drivetrain - but that is a separate topic. Regarding battery exchanges, batteries have been changing rather rapidly over the past several years. And, many bright minds have reached the same conclusion that battery tech will necessarily precede wide adoption of electrics because of range issues. That makes old battery tech an accelerated depreciation item - and it will take the car with it unless a modular approach can be taken. We do have a relatively small number of lead-acid battery form factors in use, perhaps that can be extended to lithium or future cells. In a similar vein, we have exchangeable lpg canisters for our barbecues, why not for our cars? The bike I am building will likely use batteries developed for the radio control model industry, one battery should be good for 8 miles or so. A battery pack for my 25 mile commute is only about ten pounds - I can swap them rather than hook up a power cord to the bike. In the not-so-distant past, I did have a harbor dredge with a 2000 hp dc motor that drove the main pump. Probably too big for automotive use though... Edited by Marty3d, Mar 14 2014, 12:17 AM.
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| evmetro | Mar 14 2014, 12:27 AM Post #9 |
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I like to browse hobby kings website even though I am not into rc planes and rc cars. They have a lot of stuff that I use in my conversions, and lots of stuff that could be used for electric bicycles. I would think that lipo instead of lifepo4 would be the hot ticket on a bike, and they have a lot of that kind of stuff. Bikes would be very cool with interchangeable packs, and it would be nice to pull your pack when you leave your bike locked up in an unsecured location. I wonder if you could use a back pack with an emergency disconnect? |
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| Marty3d | Mar 14 2014, 09:41 PM Post #10 |
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Advanced Member
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That is the idea... Panniers would hold the batteries and hide the drive. A jumper cable connector would transfer sufficient amps w/o issue. I also like having a 5hp motor that weighs in at about a pound.
Edited by Marty3d, Mar 14 2014, 09:50 PM.
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| evmetro | Apr 19 2014, 04:26 PM Post #11 |
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Cadillac is coming along... I think if I ever get a motor, transmission, and differential set up like this for a Metro, the motor would probably wind up under the hood and switching to rear wheel drive like this would be less work.
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| georandy | Apr 20 2014, 12:16 PM Post #12 |
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Interesting. Rear wheel drive. ...as always.
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| evmetro | Jun 28 2014, 04:28 PM Post #13 |
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I figured I would sneak a fab pic in over here on the Metro forum. A little bit of aluminum, a little bit of steel... I like fab pics of any car, they put me in a good mood...
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Welcome to the all new Geo Metro Forum. We hope you enjoy your visit.






I see a Metro Road Trip in the works, from Alabama I'm just about halfway.


![]](http://z3.ifrm.com/static/1/pip_r.png)
...as always.
2:26 PM Jul 11