Electro in the shopRemoving the engineIn goes the motorThe operation is a successFirst driveNew Look for 2013New Look for 2013
OwnerRob Trahms
Owner's Other EV2006 Performance K-101 E-Bike
LocationEdmonds, Washington United States map
Web/EmailWebPage email image
Vehicle1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet
MotorNetgain ImPulse 9 Series Wound DC
Fit PERFECTLY with adapter plate and mount
from Electro Auto!
DrivetrainManual FWD 5-speed
ControllerCafe Electric Z1K-HV
Installed!
Batteries52 CALB/Skyenergy SE100AHA, 3.20 Volt, Lithium-Ion
Replaced 96V lead acid pack with 170V
lithium pack.

EV Power BMS configuration for the CALB
lithium cells.
System Voltage170 Volts
ChargerManzanita Micro PFC-20
Installed!
HeaterNone
DC/DC ConverterBelktronix Narrowband 170VDC in - 13.6 VDC out
DC/DC reworked to support new Vin of 166V.
InstrumentationTBS Expert Pro with 10:1 voltage scaler
Traction Pack Voltage (170V) meter
Aux voltage (12v) meter
Top Speed90 MPH (144 KPH)
AccelerationVery good! The battery pack is a third of
its original weight at 350 lbs.
Range50 Miles (80 Kilometers)
Watt Hours/Mile250 Wh/Mile
Average with one driver/no passengers.
Range from 200 Whr/mi - 400 Whr/mi
depending on terrain.
EV Miles
Start:129,400 Miles (208,204 Kilometers)
Current:144,000 Miles (231,696 Kilometers)
Total:14,600 Miles (23,491 Kilometers)
 
    As of 5/11/2019
Seating Capacity4 adults
Curb Weight2,700 Pounds (1,227 Kilograms)
Lithium diet got this car back to its
original curb weight, perhaps a bit
lighter!
TiresStock VW wheels.
Sumitomo HTR-200 LRR Tires.
Conversion Time~9 months calendar time
~7 weeks actual effort

Conversion Cost~$17K, including car & batteries
Additional FeaturesConvertible! No A/C required!
Bought donor vehicle for $450 in September
2007.
ICE came out on 11/25/2007.
Gas tank and fuel lines came out on
12/22/2007.
Manual steering rack installed on
12/22/2007.
Winter Break - too chilly to work on car!
Removed unnecessary engine electrical
wiring on 2/1/2007.
Rebuilt rear brakes/wheels on 2/15/2008.
Electric motor and controller bought on
3/1/2008.
Front & rear battery racks bought on
3/15/2008.
Electric motor/tranny installed on
4/19/2008.
Front & rear battery racks installed on
5/17/2008.
Batteries installed on 5/25/2008.
HV cabling completed on 6/22/2008.
Z1K-HV & HB2 arrived on 6/23/2008.
Belktronix DC/DC arrived/installed
7/6/2008.
LV wiring completed on 7/15/2008.
System test completed on 7/31/2008. It
works!
Maiden voyage on 8/1/2008.
Charger installed on 8/7/2008.

Retrofitted from 180V to 96V traction pack
for increased
range in Q4 2008

New maiden voyage (with new batteries) on
1/1/2009.

Daily driver through 2009.

Lithium upgrade took place between Nov
2009 and March
2010.

Daily driver 2010-present (25 miles per
day)!

code by jerry