Description:
This was my first EV conversion, and was a great learning experience. The difficulties I encountered with doing my own conversion was a major motivating factor for me getting involved in the professional EV industry, in the hope of making things easier for future converters!
A major aim for the project was to make an electric vehicle to break the golf-cart stereotype, i.e something with sporty performance and fun to drive. After much deliberation I chose an MX5 as the donor vehicle, being one of the lightest and smallest rear wheel drive vehicles around, and with a reputation for excellent handling.
I opted for a large DC motor as the best bang-for-buck, running direct drive (i.e no gearbox, motor coupled directly to the tailshaft) since the motor has plenty of torque. Direct drive is a great option for rear wheel drive vehicles, but you do need to run a more powerful motor and controller for good performance.
The vehicle was originally completed in mid-2008, but has since had an extensive rebuild to bring it up to date with the latest revision of NCOP standards for electric vehicles including all the latest best-practices for EV safety, as well as reverse cycle air-conditioning as a more efficient option for cabin heating.
-Ian Hooper
PS: Lots more pictures and information can be viewed at this vehicle's Conversion Blog.
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Summary:
Technical Specifications
- Motor: NetGain Warp 11 (Series DC)
- Controller: ZEVA MC600S
- Batteries: 40x Thunder LFP160AHA
- BMS: EVPower TS90
- Charger: Zivan NG3
- Instrumentation: ZEVA Fuel Gauge Driver+
- DC-DC Converter: IOTA DLS-55
- Vacuum Pump: MES-DEA 70/6E
- Contactor(s): 2x Kilovac EV200
- Fuse(s): 2x Bussmann FWH 600A
- Safety Gear: Inertia switch, emergency stop, EVMS
- Other: Reverse cycle A/C on the way
Performance
- Top Speed: 100km/h
- 0-100km/h: Approx 10 sec
- Range: 130km
- Curb weight: 1100kg
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