OwnerStephan
LocationManly, New South Wales Australia map
WebWebPage
Vehicle2001 Mazda Mazda Tribute
Simular to Ford Escape, the original Tribute
is a family car All wheel drive. The V6 and
Auto Gear are replaced with a smaller HPEVS
AC50 and manual Mazda 3 gearbox. 24Kwh
Leaf batteries. Power steering pump from
a Holden (07) and power break pump for vacuum
on original brake booster.
MotorHPEVS AC50 single shaft 60HP 3-Phase AC
DrivetrainRear wheel driveshaft is removed so it is no
longer a 4w/all wheel drive. At the rear all
drivetrain parts are removed. In front wheels
with ABS connect to Mazda 3 gearbox. 5 speed
manual gear connects to original clutch, which
connects to aluminium conversion plate,
connecting to the motor.
Car weight is reduced from 1590 kg to 1470 kg.
ControllerCurtis 1238-7501
Model - Curtis 1238-7501 controller 96 Volt
550
Amps
In 2018 the pins on Curtis side were worn, and
replaced. This is a big issue if it happens
causing uncontrolled behaviour. Fixed now. The
5v for the Encoder also had an issue and
Encoder replaced.
Batteries48 LEAF, 99.00 Volt, Lithium-Ion
Ah/serie of cell V/cell Cells
V/Total
122 8.4 24 100.8
244 8.4 48 100.8

Pack is from Nissan Leaf and protected with
Batrium BMS.
Total weight of 48 pack is 2x99 kg. Rear part
is in original enclosure. Front 24 pack is
stacked differently in 4p6s and both rear and
front work as-one. Front modules are protected
by a custom made fibre glass box (same fibre
used as Les's Ferrari replica who build it for
me).
System Voltage99 Volts
Charger EnPower
small 3 kw onboard charger. Charger is
installed close to the new J1772 charging
connector with an power inlet where used to be
the gas cap. A second 15A inlet is installed
under the bonnet which is easy to connect to
every power point everywhere.
HeaterCeramic 1000W heater element. This runs on 96-
110V and draws
actual 750W. It is not very hot though but just
enough to pass
requirement. Airco is removed.
DC/DC Converter 100-12v converter
Instrumentation- Curtis Display on dashboard with RPM, temp,
voltage and Amp draw.
- Charging LED
- Fuel gauge SoC
Top Speed70 MPH (112 KPH)
AccelerationI mostly use first,second gear and reverse. This
is used as a 'shopping car', 'go surfing' as
well. Top speed measured on high-way in 4th
about 70mph.There was a bit more in it but did
not test it to maximum in the 5 the gear.
Range40 Miles (64 Kilometers)
Not fully tested yet. It could be 50-60 miles
max but the battery usage before this conversion
is unknown, and the actual kwh capacity is yet
unknown. minimum of 25 miles range measured
without any issues. Measured without re-gen.
EV Miles
Start:93,000 Miles (149,637 Kilometers)
Current:93,150 Miles (149,878 Kilometers)
Total:150 Miles (241 Kilometers)
Seating Capacity4 (reduced from 5)
Curb Weight0
1470 kg
TiresOriginal
Conversion Time6 Year
Conversion Cost25,000 USD (total) including upgrade to 24KWH.
Battery: $10K incl. BMS and parts
Motor: $7.5K incl. controller
Parts: $7.5K
Additional Features1) Zeva Fuel Gauge driver = SoC on the original 'fuel meter'
2) USB programmer cable for Curtis. Awesome tool
3) RGB LED in use that connects to Batrium BMS for SoC
4) warning if external charge in progress; car won't start/drive

Note5
I had to revert the Hyundai Getz dash cluster back to comply with
road safety requirement. So I reverted the cluster back to original.
It resolved some issues such as seat belts and airbag signals.
Telemetry is not optimal due to gearbox conversion missing the speed
signals. workaround with standalone meter is build in.
Successful registration after twice failed for road worthy
certificate.
First, Minor Safety feature certificate issues. Fixed all minor
things such as reverse light, high Beam light (failed before
conversion) and some lose wiring.
Second attempt, the car was too slow. Problem was a design problem
and under specification of the 12kwh battery, hence the upgrade to
24 kwh battery. Note that the range is not the problem but the
draw above 300 Amp was killing the motor + it was wearing out the
battery too much, too quickly. Bottom line, it drove not faster
than 30-40 mh and it could not go uphill.
Third upgrade: finally success.
Now the car drives uphill and has no issues with higher 300 amp
draw. This battery is build for nominal 240 A draw. Just enough
for short trip and some hills.


I am member of AEVA.asn.au these guys helped me a lot wit this
conversion. And they still do...

If any questions feel free to contact me. See my website contact
detail.

code by jerry