OwnerTony Hart
LocationAdams, Massachusetts United States map
WebWebPage
Vehicle1999 Ford Ranger XLT
MotorAdvanced DC FB1-4001A Series Wound DC
ControllerCurtis Curtis 1231C-8601
Batteries12 Everstart Size 27; Rated 105 AH, 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded
Went with cheap Batteries from Wally World. Can't beat the price and they seem to work just fine. 8 Batteries in the Bed and 4 up front where the Radiator was.
System Voltage144 Volts
ChargerMinn Kota
Individual Charger (5A) for each battery
HeaterCeramic element, 255 W, mcgyvered into the original ventilation duct. It defogs the windshield but that's about it. I'll be adding a bigger element here.
DC/DC Converter
Using a Separate AC/DC Charger for the original 12V Starter Battery (Motorcraft). Charges at the same time as the Traction Pack.
InstrumentationJust pack amps and volts right now. Plan to add SOC monitor for each battery.
Top SpeedCruises at 55 with no problem
AccelerationBetter than original truck
Range20 Miles (32 Kilometers)
About 20 with current config. Plan to add an additional battery string in the future (Think Spring); Hoping to get close to 50 given the reduced discharge rate per battery.
Watt Hours/MilePreliminary data was 500WH/Mile. That was at 20 deg F.
EV Miles
Start:89,890 Miles (144,633 Kilometers)
Current:90,045 Miles (144,882 Kilometers)
Total:155 Miles (249 Kilometers)
Conversion TimeStarted gutting original truck on 7/4/08. First Test Drive was 11/4/08.
About 100 Hrs work during that time. Enjoyed every minute!
Conversion CostAround $6500 plus cost of the donor truck. A few hundred of that was on tools that I will reuse on other projects.
Worked with my teenage son and just had a great time doing it as a diversion from my day job as an Engineer. GERT (Geeky Electric Ranger Truck) is very handy for running around town on weekend errands. Driveability with the clutchless Xm is MUCH better than the original truck. I pretty much leave it in 2nd gear all the time.

I'm looking forward to improvements in range and instrumentation. But since I do all work on my driveway and live in New England --- work is limited to the warmer months.


code by jerry