OwnerDennis M. Bassano
LocationSanta Cruz, California United States map
Vehicle1980 Datsun 310 Lektrikar II
This is a commercial conversion done by Western Research (later Lectra Motors) in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1981
MotorPrestolite 7.2 inch Series Wound DC
22 HP
DrivetrainOriginal 4 speed with clutch. 4th gear doesn't work
ControllerCurtis 1221C
MOSFET transistor Technology, 15,000cycles per second, 400 Amps
Batteries9 Trojan 1275MV, 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded
82 Lbs. each, 4 in front 5 in back
System Voltage108 Volts
ChargerK and W BC-20
120V in car. adjustable current and voltage
HeaterBlanket and the California sun
DC/DC ConverterSevcon 128/12V
It is used to charge the house battery, which is a Optima, located under the hood. the battery came from a sunken boat and spent 12 hours a the bottom of the harbor
InstrumentationVolt meter, Amp meter, Speedo, Brake temp, Motor temp, Controller Temp, Clock
Top Speed68 MPH (109 KPH)
Pretty scary really
AccelerationSort of
Range25 Miles (40 Kilometers)
that's all I need, so that is what it is designed for.
Watt Hours/MileUses 80 Amps at 100 V to go 30 mph on the flats around town
EV Miles
Start:4,500 Miles (7,240 Kilometers)
Current:13,000 Miles (20,917 Kilometers)
Total:8,500 Miles (13,676 Kilometers)
 
    As of 4/8/2013
Seating Capacity4 adults
Curb Weight2,500 Pounds (1,136 Kilograms)
Lost some weight when I changed from 18 6V batteries to 9 12V
Tires155/80 R 13, El Cheapo brand
Conversion Time4 months
Conversion Cost$2500,
Additional FeaturesPower brakes

AM Fm cassette deck (with B 52's tape)

I cut the roof off behind the drivers seat and added a roll bar. So it's a 4 seater truck with optional lumber rack or canvas top.
I bought the car for $1 and instantly made 60% of my original investment back when I found 60 cents under the seat. the car had been sitting for 15 years and was in pretty rough shape. I took it all apart fixed all the broken and badly engineered stuff and rebuild the battery racks. Then repainted and installed the new batteries. I have had it since 1998 and just bought my second set of batteries. I also have a 3.2K solar array on my garage so I haven't been to the gas station except to get propane for my BBQ.

code by jerry