OwnerMichael Bearden
Owner's Other EVs1983 BMW 320iS
1958 Gogomobile
LocationPetaluma, California United States map
Email email image
Vehicle1987 Ford Escort Wagon
EscortEV started it's EV life as a
conversion done by Solar Electric Cars in
Sebastopol CA in the early '90's. It was
designed and built using 18 golf cart
batteries for the pack, so all components
were built or bought for that
configuration.
MotorGeneral Electric 9 Inch Series Wound DC
This is the same model motor I ran at 192
volts in my BMW
Drivetrain5 speed manual transmission
ControllerCurtis 1221 B
This is the original controller, which was
re-built in 2002.
Batteries40 CALB 100AHA, 3.25 Volt, Lithium Iron Phosphate
System Voltage130 Volts
ChargerManzanita Micro PFC-30
Wow!!!Just got back into the PFC world for
charging; my last one went up in smoke in
the EV Porsche barbecue. What a difference=I
am back to using my dedicated 240v service
and charging time is QUICK!!!
HeaterWas gasoline(!!)...changed to ceramic
element.
DC/DC ConverterTodd PC45
InstrumentationEV Display, Digital Voltmeter, Analog
Ammeter
Top Speed70 MPH (112 KPH)
This is a totally different EV from the BMW
or the Porsche...they were quick, and could
go faster than I want to drive today. This
is my "under the radar" everyday EV driver.
AccelerationThe change from 18 golf cart batteries
(108 volts & 1200 lb)to LiFePo4 (130+
volts & 300 lb) has made this a totally
different EV to drive. I no longer feel
like a golf cart surrounded by V8's
leaving traffic lights....
Range40 Miles (64 Kilometers)
This, I have discovered is the real world,
on the freeway, on the country roads, stop
and go through town, up and down hill range
of this pack in this EV.
Watt Hours/MileMy initial numbers look like 2.25Ah used per
mile of travel. This is stop & go city,
country roads, a little freeway, and a
couple of hills.
Seating Capacity4 Adults, with substantial luggage or cargo
room behind rear seats (which fold down to
make a really nice cargo hold)
TiresBridgestone R381 Low Rolling Resistance
Conversion TimeThe time I have spent on this EV has been
the change from lead/acid to lithium,
including the change in pack voltage and
instrumentation.
Conversion Cost$4000 EV (Thank you, Rudy!)$6000
batteries...$10,000
Additional FeaturesThe second owner of this EV did some really nice work on it,
including a very well done new paint job. I was looking for a
project EV with the 9"GE motor when I found this: a very clean
totally usable & drivable EV that was in need of a new battery
pack.
I am so happy to be driving a real EV again!
Woo-HOO, EV GRIN!!!

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