OwnerDavid Sharpe
LocationMelbourne, Victoria Australia map
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Vehicle1993 Daihatsu Charade
2 door with hatchback
MotorAdvanced DC FB1-40001A Series Wound DC
9"
DrivetrainRacing clutch, heavier springs, original
gear box
ControllerDC Power Systems DCP-1200 Raptor
Set current limit to 400A
Batteries46 Thunder Sky LFP90, 3.30 Volt, Lithium-Ion
Also run in parallel a string of 12 Shoto
spiral wound pure lead 50Ahr to decrease
the source impedance and add range.
System Voltage144 Volts
ChargerZivan NG3 x2
On board. The two chargers are run
together for quick charging. Also under
development a "bad boy" auto
transformer/rectifier power supply to
give a third manually adjusted charger
mainly intended for my range extending
generator.
Heaternone-mild climate
DC/DC ConverterTodd PC-40
40 Amp
InstrumentationTraction Volts & Amps ,control battery
Volts
Top SpeedNever attempted but will easily do 100
kms/hr
AccelerationNot measured
Range80 Miles (128 Kilometers)
Longest trip to date was 131kms and there
was still plenty left. Could still spin
the wheels at traffic lights.
EV Miles
Start:3,000 Miles (4,827 Kilometers)
Current:12,400 Miles (19,951 Kilometers)
Total:9,400 Miles (15,124 Kilometers)
 
    As of 8/25/2010
Seating Capacity2 adults, original back seats removed.
Curb Weight2,100 Pounds (954 Kilograms)
approximately
TiresOriginal Michelin MX (not low rolling
resistance)were replaced by Continental
Conti Eco Contact3 LRR tyres.
Conversion TimeNot converted by me-bought from CSIRO a
govt research organisation
Conversion Cost$AU20000 originally
Additional FeaturesRange extending petrol engine for trips beyond the capacity
of the batteries. It is a Honda "Cyclo" 3 kW petrol
alternator (weighs 31kg)
This car is my usual transport around town. It will out-
accelerate most petrol cars. I can do 220 ks return if
charging at destination is possible.
We are not connected to the grid. Our 6kW PV array mostly
provides our charging energy (and the house hold) and
supplementary energy is generally provided via a 4 cylinder
1800 ccs 1986 Toyota Diesel engine burning natural gas & a
small amount of distillate that is direct coupled to an ABB
3kW capacitor excited 3 phase induction motor running at
about 850RPM. The old side valve motor we used to use leaked
too much oil & was inefficient.
In early October I drove from Melbourne to Canberra 1360 kms
return charging approx every 100ks at various preorganised
locations. Next trip is to Adelaide, somewhat further.

code by jerry