| Owner | Ken Parsons | ||||||||
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| Location | Kansas City, Missouri United States map | ||||||||
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| Vehicle | 1973 Volkswagen Type III Variant (Squareback) This car was given to me by a friend who didn't want to deal w/ the issues of an old ICE vehicle | ||||||||
| Motor | Advanced DC 203-06-4001A 48-120V, 10-30 hp | ||||||||
| Drivetrain | Manual | ||||||||
| Controller | Curtis 1221C | ||||||||
| Batteries | 8 Trojan T-1275, 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded At 656lbs and for space considerations, I went w/ 12V. I am told my performance and range would improve w/ a pack of 8V or 6V batteries, but I'm finding that it suits my need for a roundtrip commute of 18-20 miles with LOTS of hills. 5,000 miles into it (2 years, 3 months) and it still registers 103.8V after 6 hours of charging (and 1 hour of resting after that). | ||||||||
| System Voltage | 96 Volts | ||||||||
| Charger | Quick Charge 96V On-board charger which takes about 6 hours from 50% depth of discharge (this includes about one hour of float charging). | ||||||||
| Heater | Cheap handheld unit that plugs into the lighter. For defrosting the window only. For warmth I use a coat. For the rear battery pack, I use a Kats 72" warmer. | ||||||||
| DC/DC Converter | Astrodyne | ||||||||
| Instrumentation | Voltmeter and Ammeter | ||||||||
| Top Speed | 65 MPH (104 KPH) I have not taken the car this fast, but I can comfortably cruise around 55mph in third gear. | ||||||||
| Acceleration | In first it is quite quick, though I tend to start in second, which is sufficient to keep up with traffic. | ||||||||
| Range | 20 Miles (32 Kilometers) This is to 50% discharge, as I go to/from work and charge immediately when I get home (to avoid sulfation over time and extend the life of my batteries). With all the hills in Kansas City, my range is a bit more limited than those of you in flatter areas. | ||||||||
| EV Miles |
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| Seating Capacity | 5 adults | ||||||||
| Curb Weight | 2,500 Pounds (1,136 Kilograms) | ||||||||
| Tires | 4 165-R15 | ||||||||
| Conversion Time | Actual physical labor: 75-100 hours, essentially w/in 16 concentrated days in mid-May 2008. Mental labor: endless. | ||||||||
| Conversion Cost | $7,336, which includes batteries, misc supplies, shipping costs, etc. This is the actual number, not an estimate (but doesn't include front brake overhaul, which was $500, and the motor mount for $350). | ||||||||
| 07/07/2013: Given a new job and its demands for travel, I unfortunately have to part with this vehicle after recently updating the battery pack and on-board charger motherboard. I can't believe it has been 5 years and it still runs like a ceiling fan: when is the last time you thought about or maintained the motor on that? 09/04/2010: Converting your car is worth the investment. I'm over 5,000 miles into it and have poured little money into maintenance (e.g. I bought new wipers blades one time and buy a gallon of distilled water every 3-4 months - so, total cost, around $40). 06/03/2008: I did this conversion solo, but had some help lifting the motor for installation. I knew little to nothing about electrical work for cars 1 1/2 months before I started the conversion labor. This site, amongst others, was a source of knowledge that I relied on daily during my major conversion time in May. For those perusing EVs, just jump in, it is worth the time and effort. | |||||||||
1973 Volkswagen Squareback
Last Updated 07-07-2013
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