Front TrunkThe Engine CompartmentYes, it's electric!At the OEVA show
OwnerRichard Hamje
LocationPortland, Oregon United States map
Web/EmailWebPage email image
Vehicle1973 Volkswagen Fastback - Type 3
Two door, rear engine coupe with trunks in
both front and rear.
MotorAzure Dynamics/Solectria AC-24LS 3-Phase AC
DrivetrainOriginal clutch and 4-speed manual
transaxle, re-geared for the higher torque
electric drive.
ControllerAzure Dynamics/Solectria DMOC445
Batteries90 Thunder Sky 60 Ah, 3.20 Volt, Lithium-Ion
Also Elithion battery management system to
prevent under- and over-charging. Ask me
about it before you buy one...
System Voltage288 Volts
ChargerElcon PFC4000
I hacked the charger to allow the BMS to
control it. Newer models have this
control function standard.
HeaterCanEV three-speed heater, plumbed into the
original defroster ducting. Works great!
DC/DC ConverterIota DLS55
Works great. It requires a thermistor
(not included, but cheap and easy to get)
to protect your relays.
InstrumentationThree gauges: amp draw, 12 volt, SOC
Top Speed62 MPH (99 KPH)
AccelerationComparable to original car, perhaps a bit
faster.
Range100 Miles (160 Kilometers)
Estimated range 100 miles city driving,
possibly 30 miles at freeway speeds.
Watt Hours/MileHaven't measured this yet, probably never
will.
EV Miles
Current:1,775 Miles (2,855 Kilometers)
 
    As of 11/1/2011
Seating Capacity4 adults + one lapdog
Curb Weight2,400 Pounds (1,090 Kilograms)
Estimated, not weighed
TiresCoker BF Goodrich wide whitewall radial
165R15 (original VW size)
Conversion TimeOne year, of which 7 months were spent
waiting on parts. I probably spent every
other weekend working on something for 12-
14 hours, so maybe 250 hours total.
Conversion Cost~ $30,000 US
Additional FeaturesAll trunks and seating areas are still fully usable. There
are 30 batteries mounted forward of the front axle where the
spare tire was originally. The other sixty batteries are
mounted inside the engine compartment: 24 on the upper level
nearly flush to the trunk floor, and 18 in each of two boxes
slung underneath on either side of the motor. They are
barely visible. The wiring, BMS, small 12V battery and
DC/DC converter are mounted under the back seat. I cut the
top off the gas tank and put the charger inside.
The website link is to a blog documenting the entire
conversion process, with photos of each step, costs,
suppliers, etc.

code by jerry