Rear Battery RackElectric Daihatsu CharadeRearAdvanced DC 6.7 inch motorFront RackVacuum SystemFront Batteries
OwnerDavid Rowe
LocationAdelaide, South Australia Australia map
Web/EmailWebPage email image
Vehicle1991 Daihatsu Charade
MotorAdvanced DC X91-4001 6.7 inch Series Wound DC
This poor motor has had two near-death experiences through accidental overheating. Due to this abuse the armature failed after 18 months and was replaced.
DrivetrainUpgraded pressure plate and clutch to handle 100% increase in torque over ICE. Stock clutch was slipping. Would go clutchless next time and save $ as we just use 3rd gear and reverse.
ControllerCurtis 1231C
Small heatsink, doesn't really get hot to touch in our car, even on 43C days.
Batteries36 CALB/Skyenergy 100AH, 3.20 Volt, Lithium Iron Phosphate
2 years, 20,000km trouble free driving on this pack. Previous lead acid packs Yellow Top (6,000km), and Powersonic (3,000km) where problematic.
System Voltage120 Volts
Charger
Chinese 96V lead acid charger and 2 Powertech 12V 12A chargers. Works well.
HeaterTravel hair dryer in air con box for demisting.
DC/DC Converter
13.5V 36A
InstrumentationNone at the moment.
Top Speed80 MPH (128 KPH)
Estimated, still accelerating at 100km/hr, but top speed not relevant in this car - it spends it's life happily cruising at 60 km/hr.
AccelerationFaster than ICE to 60km/hr. We just use 3rd gear all the time, no gear changes.
Range70 Miles (112 Kilometers)
I have done 108km on single charge but haven't found a need to go further.
Watt Hours/Mile400 Wh/Mile
400 Wh/mile at the wall. As low as 130Whr/mile cruising at 35mph. Draws 5kW (37A @ 132V tested) cruising at 35mph.
EV Miles
Start:145,592 Miles (234,257 Kilometers)
Current:162,791 Miles (261,930 Kilometers)
Total:17,199 Miles (27,673 Kilometers)
 
    As of 11/19/2011
Seating Capacity4 adults
Curb Weight2,000 Pounds (909 Kilograms)
A little over 900kg, up 40kg from ICE configuration.
Conversion Time12 months part time, maybe 300 hours total
Conversion CostMore than I would like to discuss, spread over several years. To do it again at current prices would cost $15,000 (AUD) excluding donor car.
I drive this car every day, about 200 km a week. We have done 28,000 electric km in 3 years. We hardly ever use our ICE car any more. Since the Lithium batteries were installed the car has been trouble free, with range that exceeds our daily needs.

I recently took the car to my mechanic for a "service". he changed the wiper blades, checked the brakes (all OK), and rotated the typres. Thats it for 3 years maintenance on an EV!

code by jerry