Motor and EngineDigitizing the tranny bolt holesAdapter PlateFirst Drive!
OwnerTodd Hamilton
LocationPortland, Oregon United States map
Web/EmailWebPage email image
Vehicle1976 BMW 2002
Purchased after it had been under a tarp
for 8 years. '76 cars need to go through
DEQ in Oregon, and this one wouldn't pass.
That's when I started my conversion.
MotorHitachi probably, Series Wound DC
9", refurbished by Jim Husted to near-new
condition.
DrivetrainNo clutch. Stock transmission
ControllerSynkromotive DC700LV
2011/7/1: Synkro controller works
great!

Originally a Kelly KDH12400A, but that
would
only go about a block before
overheating.
Exchanged that for a Kelly 12800B. The
12800B worked great, but I wanted a
Synkromotive controller because they're
hometown PDX guys.
Batteries35 CALB 100Ah, 3.20 Volt, Lithium Iron Phosphate
2011/7/1 Replaced Pb-Acid with LiFePo4
CALB batteries.
System Voltage112 Volts
ChargerElcon PFC-1500
HeaterProbably a hair dryer, but nothing
installed yet.
DC/DC Converter
I just run acc loads off of an auxiliary
battery.
InstrumentationSynkromotive software
Top Speed55 MPH (88 KPH)
So far.
AccelerationKeeps up with traffic no problem.
Range30 Miles (48 Kilometers)
-ish. Will update when I have a better
handle on it with the CALB cells.
Seating Capacity4
Curb Weight0
Don't know. Probably won't.
Conversion TimeAlot, a little bit at a time.
Conversion CostI think I'm just at about $10000 right
now.
11/7/1: I've upgraded to LiFePo4 CALB cells, 100Ah. Also
installed the Synkromotive controller. Along with that, had
to get a Throttle Position Sensor. Opted for one out of a
Ford pickup. Will be updating my blog with progress and a
commuting log, so check it out (see link above).

10/1/09: I've done one commute to work (15mi one-way) so far
and it fared quite well. However, I told myself I needed to
get the vacuum pump working for the brakes before doing
anything else. Quick stops get the adrenalin going a little
more than I'd like.

code by jerry