| Owner | Coby Skye & Gabrielle Weeks | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Long Beach, California US map | ||||||
| Web/Email | WebPage | ||||||
| Vehicle | 1999 Geo Metro Free donor Vehicle | ||||||
| Motor | Azure Dynamics/Solectria AC24 3-Phase AC | ||||||
| Drivetrain | FWD, previously a 1.0 L 3 cyl | ||||||
| Controller | Azure Dynamics/Solectria DMOC445 | ||||||
| Batteries | 13 Deka Dominator Gel (#8G31DTM), 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Gel | ||||||
| System Voltage | 156 Volts | ||||||
| Charger | Manzanita Micro PFC-20 | ||||||
| Heater | Planning to buy a small heater that plugs into the lighter socket - its So. Cal. so I won't need a heater much. | ||||||
| DC/DC Converter | Hood-mounted Solar Panel Previously used a CC Power C400 model but it suddenly stopped working. I know this model works well for many people but I decided instead to use a solar trickle charger to recharge the house battery. Works ok so far, use a 12 V charger occasionally to make up the difference. | ||||||
| Instrumentation | 3 pack from ElectroAutomotive: 6-16 volts for the house battery; 115 - 175 Volts for pack voltage (serves as "fuel" gauge); and -200.0.+200 Ammeter (see photo of these in place) | ||||||
| Top Speed | 70 MPH (112 KPH) 9-7-08 Update: Just did a freeway test drive, the car will do at least 70 | ||||||
| Acceleration | Slightly better than the old 3 cyl. | ||||||
| Range | 35 Miles (56 Kilometers) Realistic range is about 30 miles of fwy driving, 40-45 miles around town depending on hills, driving style, etc. | ||||||
| Watt Hours/Mile | 300 Wh/Mile Rough estimate, including some freeway driving. | ||||||
| EV Miles |
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| Seating Capacity | 2 adults (took out the back seat for batteries) | ||||||
| Curb Weight | 1,859 Pounds (844 Kilograms) prior to conversion process, probably about 2,500 now with batteries installed | ||||||
| Tires | 9-23-08: Just put new Falken ZE-512 (low rolling resistance) 195/60R15s on the Acura rims that the previous owner got. So far they work great! Even steering is easier when stopped (since the car never had power steering, that is a good thing). | ||||||
| Conversion Time | too long (our first conversion, so everything is a learning process :) | ||||||
| Conversion Cost | Vehicle - donated A/C Kit from EA - $11K Brakes/Suspension - $500 Batteries - $2,500 AVCON Adapter - $250 Battery Box - $40 from a friend (thanks Charlie!) Professional services (welding, wiring, etc.) - approx. $2,500 | ||||||
| Additional Features | Installed interface to the Controller in the cabin, makes it easier to get readings and make adjustments. If you have a similar project with an Azure Dynamics controller, email me and I'll send you my files for comparison. Added a solar trickle charger for the house battery, to replace the DC to DC converter which suddenly went dead. So far works well, we'll see how it does in the winter when there's less sun. Installed the AVCON adapter into the vehicle so I can use either plug, and don't have to worry about my AVCON box "walking away" as I leave the car charging all day at work. | ||||||
| Installed A/C Light Vehicle Kit from Electro Automotive WebPage 8/8/8 update - It's alive! Just took the first EVer self-propelled test drive. Note: We previously contracted with Bob Van Gorder of Romona, CA to complete the conversion, however we DO NOT recommend Bob. | |||||||
1999 Geo Metro
“Abbie Normal”
Last Updated 09-20-2009
Copyright © 1997-2009 by Mike Chancey