OwnerLew
LocationMoorestown, New Jersey United States map
Email email image
Vehicle1995 Honda del Sol
MotorAdvanced DC FB1-4001A Series Wound DC
DrivetrainSwapped the original automatic transmission with a 5-speed manual from a 1996 Civic EX. No clutch. Installed a brand new Honda OEM del Sol shifter and linkage.
ControllerCurtis 1231C
Batteries12 Optima Yellow Top, 144.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, AGM
System Voltage144 Volts
ChargerSoneil 1212SR
One for each battery. Six under the hood and six in the trunk. The charger mounting board in the trunk is made from a plastic utility shelf and the brackets from 1/8" steel rod. Chargers can be removed and replaced individually.
HeaterKats 1500 watt block heater with a Jabsco 12 volt pump made for hot fluids and a plastic fill tank. All heater hoses insulated with rubber insulation. Individual LED lighted switches for heater and pump mounted in the console between the seats.
DC/DC ConverterIota DLS 55
To be installed soon.
InstrumentationAnalog voltmeter, analog ampmeter, PackTrkr with a Woodward LCD display. Vacuum guage to be installed soon. Analog gauges mounted in windshield pillar pods.
Top Speed85 MPH (136 KPH)
2nd gear 0-35; 3rd gear 35-50; 4th gear 50-65; 5th gear 65-85
Range20 Miles (32 Kilometers)
Watt Hours/MileUnknown
EV Miles
Start:218,665 Miles (351,831 Kilometers)
Current:218,665 Miles (351,831 Kilometers)
Total:0 Miles (0 Kilometers)
Seating Capacity2 adults
Curb Weight2,980 Pounds (1,354 Kilograms)
Weighed the car before conversion. Total weight of car 2480 lbs. Front 1500 lbs. Rear 900 lbs. 65% bias toward the front. Will be weighing the car now it is converted. So far the weight ratio seems to be close to original. Estimated 500 lb net gain to the car.
Tiresstock
Conversion TimeSix months. Started January 2009.
Conversion Cost$10,500 plus $2,500 for the car.
Additional FeaturesI bought this car especially to convert. Car was in excellent condition when I bought it with over 218,000 miles and being 13 years old. No rust, original paint, two dings and three small unnoticeable dents on the hood. Engine was in good shape when we removed it. Swapped the power steering rack with a rebuilt manual steering rack. Installed rebuilt drive shafts. Installed a custom made diamond plate welded aluminum rear battery box (holds four batteries). Installed a custom made welded aluminum front battery rack right behind the grill (holds three batteries including the 12volt accessory battery). Fabricated and installed a battery rack in front of the firewall which I made from 1/8" angle aluminum , bolted together with 1/4" stainless steel cap screws, lock washers and hex nuts (holds four batteries). That battery rack is tilted down at the front so the top of the batteries have clearance under the hood. Installed an eight foot cable heater, intended to thaw house plumbing, in the bottom of the rear battery box. Cut and installed a 1/16th inch piece of aluminum sheet over the cable heater to help radiate the heat. Insulated the rear battery box with 1/2" rubber foam insulation. Fabricated a splash pan made from the bottom and sides of large fish pond liner. Pan goes under and around the sides of motor. This is an ABS plastic which is weather resistant and tear resistant. Same type of plastic the manufacturer used to make the chin pan on this car.
Driven the car for six months now as a grocery getter. Runs great!

code by jerry