OwnerRich Burns
LocationPotsdam, New York United States map
Vehicle2006 Zap Xebra SD
3-wheeled electric vehicle
Motor Zibo Boshan Super Motor Series Wound DC
72 Volt series-wound brushed DC motor.
Drivetrain5kw Zibo Boshan SuperMotor and fine Chinese single-speed gearbox
ControllerAlltrax AXE 300 Model 7234
72 Volt 300 Amp Alltrax controller with 5k-0 throttle input.
Batteries6 Deka Dominator, 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Gel
Factory stock Deka 8G31- replaced 2 per year since new.
System Voltage72 Volts
ChargerQuick Charge Select-a-Charge SCO7210
72 Volt 10A charger, 120V AC (10A) input. Original 72 Volt 15A charger, known by ZAP people as the "blue Chinese charger" failed in summer of 2011.
Heater700W stock unit. Works to de-fog. I wear a jacket...
DC/DC Converter ZAP HZB-6
20 Amp 72/12V DC-DC
InstrumentationDashboard speedo and not-too-accurate voltmeter. I've added a PakTrakr.
Top Speed40 MPH (64 KPH)
"speed" is a relative term.
AccelerationBy definition acceleration is dv/dt. Since I start at zero and top out at 40, I must have accelerated.
Range15 Miles (24 Kilometers)
Longest drive with 6 brand-new batteries, not caring about damage, was about 22.5 miles. 15 miles is current range to 90% DOD. Regular drive is about 11 miles round trip, which brings things to about 65% DOD.
Watt Hours/Mile220 Wh/Mile
Defined as AC input, not battery consumption...
EV Miles
Start:50 Miles (80 Kilometers)
Current:9,350 Miles (15,044 Kilometers)
Total:9,300 Miles (14,963 Kilometers)
Seating Capacityseats four, capacity is defined as "500 lb."
Curb Weight1,800 Pounds (818 Kilograms)
Rough weight
Tires12-inch stock. I run at 40psi, about 5 lbs over rated pressure.
Conversion Timenone
Conversion Cost$9500
Additional FeaturesPakTrakr and set of PowerCheq battery balancers. Side H7 "headlights," brake/tail lights and license plate light all retrofitted with LED's from superbrightleds.com.
Only new EV available in 9/2007 that held 3 (me, wife and 14-year old son at the time) and could legally travel on 55mph roads.

code by jerry