OwnerTom Rapini
LocationMentor, Ohio US map
Email email image
Vehicle1972 Honda N600
Sedan
MotorGeneral Electric Series Wound DC
12 HP, 67 VDC, 160 amp continuous, air cooled
DrivetrainOriginal 4-speed transmission
ControllerCurtis 1221C
... reliable, but squeals - EV's should be quiet!
Batteries11, 8.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded
System Voltage88 Volts
Charger
homemade
HeaterWaste motor heat
DC/DC Converter
12 Volt accessory batteries... actually 14 volts worth of series/parallel gel cells.
InstrumentationAmmeter
Top Speed50 MPH (80 KPH)
Its an around-town car, not used on freeways or at speeds over 45mph
AccelerationPoor, car is underpowered with the 12hp motor, but it can maintain speed on hills once it gets going
Range40 Miles (64 Kilometers)
Estimated range:
40 miles at 25 MPH,
30 miles at 35 MPH,

assumes normal driving, warm weather, no big hills
Seating Capacity2 adults
Curb Weight1,800 Pounds (818 Kilograms)
Original curb weight was 1300 lbs, removed engine and accessories, added motor and batteries.
TiresStandard 10" radials
Conversion Timeyears
Conversion Costunder $2000
The car's battery charging is supplemented by my home's 800 watt photovoltaic array and 500 watt wind turbine. It has been very reliable, over 15,000 miles under electric power, but this is more a testimonial to the simplicity and reliability of the electric vehicle rather than my technical skills.

Picture here is THIRD generation and also the third body, as I've rusted out two others driving in our snowy, salt obsessed, suburb of Cleveland.

First generation was with seven 12 volt marine batteries
Second generation was with twelve 6 volt Trojans

code by jerry