Adapter plate dimentionsBooster packMotor&controllerMotor baySticker attached
OwnerDmitry
LocationHillsboro, Oregon US map
Web/EmailWebPage email image
Vehicle1985 Pontiac Fiero
Low-cost daily commuter.
MotorHyster 9 Series Wound DC
ControllerGeneral Electric Some old 48V forklift controller plus booster pack
Batteries4 Everstart MAXX29, 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded
System Voltage48 Volts
ChargerSchumacher SC1200A
4 individual chargers, mounted on hood cover.
HeaterSeat heater plus 100W window defroster.
DC/DC Converter
none
InstrumentationDigital LCD Amp and Volt meters, plus standard analog 12v volt meter for aux battery
Top Speed40 MPH (64 KPH)
40 is doable with booster pack, that is connectable by contactor. normally reachable top speed on 48v - 30. Not a highway driver
Range9 Miles (14 Kilometers)
Watt Hours/Mile350 Wh/Mile
EV Miles
Start:159,900 Miles (257,279 Kilometers)
Current:160,030 Miles (257,488 Kilometers)
Total:130 Miles (209 Kilometers)
Seating Capacity2 adults
Conversion Time78 hours over 6 weeks
Conversion Cost$300 for donor car and $700 for all the conversion parts. Got motor and controller at scrap price from scrap forklift. Main 4 batteries are new MAXX29, booster pack is very old Trojans, obtained at core cost but still give some juice. Gauges alone were $60, but good instrumentation is a must. Chargers are $90 for 4 of 12A Schumacher.
Car was built as daily commuter to work through neighborhood roads where 25 MPH is a limit anyway. But also for the sake of building EV - because I am dreaming to buy Aptera, when it becomes available, and while saving $30k for the purchase - I decided to build one myself, while waiting. Definitely a fun project! Got EV for total cost of $1000, and don' have to tear my pickup truck for such a short work commute any more.

Adding range is a question of buying/finding batteries. The most fancy way - get 72V 200AH LeFePo for total cost of $5000 which will give range of 50 miles. If gas hits $6/gal here - this scenario is much possible.

code by jerry