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 Speed62 MPH (99 KPH)
Never attempted but will easily do 100 kms/hr
AccelerationNot measured
Range70 Miles (112 Kilometers)
Longest trip to date was 105kms and there was still plenty left. Could still spin the wheels at traffic lights.
EV Miles
Start:5,000 Miles (8,045 Kilometers)
Current:15,434 Miles (24,833 Kilometers)
Total:10,434 Miles (16,788 Kilometers)
 
    As of 9/1/2009
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
Conversion Cost$AU20000
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 will drive from Melbourne to Canberra 680 kms return charging approx every 100ks at various preorganised locations.

code by jerry