| Owner | Matthew Parkhouse | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owner's Other EV | 1973 BMW Slash Five | ||||||
| Location | Colorado Springs, Colorado United States map | ||||||
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| Vehicle | 1972 Volkswagen VW Van 120 volt DC drive EV. | ||||||
| Motor | Advanced DC FB1-4001 Series Wound DC 9 inch diameter motor Weighs 143 lbs | ||||||
| Drivetrain | Standard VW manual transaxle | ||||||
| Controller | Curtis 1231C | ||||||
| Batteries | 10 Deka AH marine/RV, 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded ust replaced the old battery pack (August-2010) | ||||||
| System Voltage | 120 Volts | ||||||
| Charger | Lester Lester Charger 110vac/220vac input, 120volts DC output. The 220VAC setting really pounds the amp-hours into the battery pack, brings up an almost discharged pack to "full" in three hours or so! | ||||||
| Heater | None at this time, I have a small "milk shed" portable heater to adapt to the front cabin of the van. This will take 120 VDC off the drive pack. I also have a 12 volt plug in "defroster unit" from Harbor Freight that does take the frost off the inside windshield nicely. As I ride a motorcycle in the Colorado winters, I'm just happy to be riding in an enclosed compartment! | ||||||
| DC/DC Converter | None at this time I run the accessory battery as a "dead loss" set up. I have a one-amp solar PV panel on the van roof to keep it charged. I also "top off" using a 12 volt charger. | ||||||
| Instrumentation | 120 volt meter (the "gas guage"), 12 volt meter to monitor accessory battery, ammeter ("power meter") reading off a shunt in motor drive circuit. | ||||||
| Top Speed | 55 MPH (88 KPH) Runs very smoothly! | ||||||
| Acceleration | Good, but REALLY pulls the amps! | ||||||
| Range | 40 Miles (64 Kilometers) That's with a fresh, fully charged set of batteries. After a year of operation, I'm down to 20 miles of range. (Still adequate for most trips in town) | ||||||
| EV Miles |
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| Seating Capacity | Two in front seats. Three more in the rear seat. The five batteries in the rear compartment are covered with a wooden bench seat. The original three pairs of seatbelts are still in place. | ||||||
| Curb Weight | 0 Unknown at this time | ||||||
| Tires | Nothing special - what came with the van. | ||||||
| Conversion Time | September 2007 to March 2008. Just about all mechanical/electrical work is done. | ||||||
| Conversion Cost | $5,000 for the van about $6,300 for EV parts | ||||||
| I purchased the van from a woman in the Aspen area in Colorado. I purchased all my EV components from Bob at EV America, in Wolfsboro, New Hampshire. I cannot say enough about his friendly, knowledgeable and helpful manner! "Held my hand" when needed, very supportive of my first full-scale EV conversion project In 2015, I sold the van to a nice couple in San Antonio. It was time to renew the batteries and I just could not afford to do it. They came up with a tow rig, took it back and had it driving around in a couple of days! Sorry to see it go but it has a nice, new home! I also have a three-wheeled motorcycle EV. See 1094 for that one! | |||||||
1972 Volkswagen Van
“Flames”
(under construction)
Last Updated 08-20-2016
Copyright © 1997-2024 by Mike Chancey