ETrike
OwnerGreg Tuntland
LocationClinton, Iowa United States map
Email email image
Vehicle1981 Ford Escort
Jet Electra
MotorPrestolite Electric 9 inch Series Wound DC
Single direction motor, uses transmission for
reverse...
DrivetrainElectric 20 hp 9" Prestolite
ControllerDC Power Systems 600 amp
Batteries10 Interstate SRM29, deep cycle marine, 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded
Bad Choice, Replay of 1981 Technology.
All FLA batteries are subject to the Peukert
Thermal Effect. And Sulfation!
Modified Peukert's Equation, T = C(C/R)n-1/In
or as T=R(C/R)n/In.
Its Sad, we can't get the Proven Technology,
like 300 mi MiMH from 1986.
I'm looking to switch to Lithium Iron
batteries, Safer and better Range...
I plan to change all lights to LED's to
reduce power drain, but keep the drive train
more original, for historical reasons. Like a
Model T.
System Voltage120 Volts
Charger Daystarter, 1981 vintage
It used to put out 150 vdc
I suspect bad power diodes...
HeaterGas Heater has been Removed.
InstrumentationStill working: Volt Meter, Instrument
Ampmeter.
Oh, Speedometer, and Odometer.
On the fritz; Power Ampmeter, and
Instrument Voltage Meter.
Top Speed39 MPH (62 KPH)
at best 20 mph, mostly 10 mph.
4 years ago, I was promised some newer
battery technology, carbon nanotube, but
when? That would give me 65 mph and a 400 mi.
range.
I'm Waiting as Fast as I Can!
I think my buddy lost his $3 mil.
on that one...
Accelerationnothing special here...
had to push it out of the street 5-6 times...
By the way, Many People in Town Seem to Think
I'm #1, and I Know Them by the Sound of Their
Horns..
Range20 Miles (32 Kilometers)
20 mi. with all new batteries at 90*f.
10 mi. with normal beat-up batteries, 1 mi.
at +10*f., FLA's....
Some of the bad batteries in the Pak would
charge backwards, taking range away from the
good batteries.
I figured out a way of balancing the use of
the batteries without removing them.
They weigh 75 lbs each. You have to remove, 2
or 3 to get to the middle ones.
Each of the 10 have to be Monitored
separately, and charged the same.
I need a BMS for the 10 batteries.
Watt Hours/MileDon't know, Ampmeter does not work!
A friend in Phoenix has the only DC
clampmeter that I know of, he'll be back in
the summer.
EV Miles
Start:6 Miles (9 Kilometers)
Current:6 Miles (9 Kilometers)
Total:0 Miles (0 Kilometers)
Seating Capacity2 adults
batteries take up the rear seating.
If I had Lithiums, they could go under the
floor and the rear seat could go back
in..that would be nice!
Curb Weight3,000 Pounds (1,363 Kilograms)
batteries weigh 550 lbs...
I will go to lithiums, if I can get them for
around $7,000. instead of $30,000....
I got a Line on some 123'$.
Tiresthe original 30 yr old, Dry Rotted tires 13",
all blew out within a 10 day period.
I replaced all 4.
13" are hard to get!
Got to try 44 lbs pressure.
Additional FeaturesOriginal Radio, AM/FM Snazzy! Mono !
I've had it for about 1 1/2 yrs. It's difficult being an Early
Adapter.
4 years later, 2016,
Gotta replace the side quarter glass,
Someone wanted a folded blanket, I had in plain view.
Sitting, I just can't justify paying more for the batteries
than for a New Leaf, with New Technology.

code by jerry