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The 1963 Electric Type 34 Karman Ghia

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baybuscamperkid prince of insufficient light, ruler of heck

4,316 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#588026
thats really cool. impressive how cheap the technology is too.
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shaihulud Custom Title Time!

1,448 posts · joined Nov 2005 ·

#588075
That's really cool.

Of course it's old technology being conservatively used, so it works well. Electric cars along those lines are a very old idea that will soon be more common.

The problem with cars like the Prius is that they are made for people who want hundreds of kilometres range and who want the convenience of a car that will keep up with traffic and which can be used for any lenght of time at any time. That's why electric cars as supplied by the auto industry are BS.

There is a Ford Mustang in Perth which is currently (pun intended) in the Fremantle Motor Museum. It was run around Perth for years before it was put in the museum.

I've been thinking of doing that to a car for years. Maybe it'll be my next project.

[ Edited on 29-4-2007 by shaihulud ]

Grey 57 Old Grey Cruiser

2,937 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#588148
I think that the weight of it all might be an issue too. Can you get lightweight batteries???

pangalactic Seriously Crusin Dubber

123 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#588161
nicad batteries are lighter, but expensive. There are great batteries out there like NiZn and PbA Gel Cell batteries that are even better, just not viable in regards to cost. Unfortunately it seems as though old heavy 6v lead acid batteries are the cheapest/ more reliable option and last longer than the 12v lead acid batteries, the extra weight would be a cheap way of lowering your car. All that extra lead would need to be thought through with balance/suspension etc, might be interesting in an accident otherwise.
just have too wait until more people jump on the bandwagon and prices drop, or until john howard and all the backward thinking lawyer/politicians die, might be a while.

[ Edited on 29-4-2007 by pangalactic ]

baybuscamperkid prince of insufficient light, ruler of heck

4,316 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#588165
what are the legalities like for registering a car like this in victoria? i would love to build one just to get me to the station and back each day would save me a heap.
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Grey 57 Old Grey Cruiser

2,937 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#588166
For 120 volts you will need 20 x 6volt batteries.
Thats taking up a lot of room too.
They weigh about 7 to 8kg each. Thats about 150kg


Heres a link to the Aussie company doing electric cars
-=-==>> http://www.revaaustralia.com/


[ Edited on 29-4-2007 by Grey 57 ]

shaihulud Custom Title Time!

1,448 posts · joined Nov 2005 ·

#588172
I think that I have seen a thread here about getting an electric car registered here in Oz. I think that the problem is that the Australian Design Rules have nothing to say on the subject and so it's not possible.

baybuscamperkid prince of insufficient light, ruler of heck

4,316 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#588173
i think i recall that thread shaihulud, but i know i have seen registered beetles and type3s for sale before that were built during the last fuel crisis, so someone has managed to get through the system, i suppose the alternative is because there is no laws there is no way to stop them from being on the roads?
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pangalactic Seriously Crusin Dubber

123 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#588177
a decent 200 a/hr deep cycle 6v golf cart battery weights about 27kg so its about 500kg all up for as you say at least 20 batteries, which is like taking half the contestants of the biggest loser with you when you go down to the shops for your sunday morning drive. which is why its just not worth the stuffing around until nicads or equivalent get cheaper.
cheers :tree

[ Edited on 29-4-2007 by pangalactic ]

Notch Nut Custom Title Time!

1,011 posts · joined Apr 2006 ·

#588457
As if a 6 volt jump start isn't hard enough in this day and age. Just imagine this scenario at the station....
Excuse me sir, can you jump start my 120 volt VW? I'll hold the negative terminal to the train tracks and would you mind climbing up the telegaph pole to connect the positive terminal? Thanks....:kiss
- Adam

BTW Dean...I am stickin to 6 volts!!!
If you can't fix it with a hammer,
you have an electrical problem....

Grey 57 Old Grey Cruiser

2,937 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#588715
[i
BTW Dean...I am stickin to 6 volts!!!
Yeah Adam, I think I will stick to Porsche power mate. Way lighter and a lot more fun:thumb:thumb

pi22api22a Officially Full-On Dubber

345 posts · joined Nov 2003 ·

#588806
I'm in the research stage of converting a T3 squareback to an electric vehicle (EV). Should be ready for a donor car in the next few months.

VW's converted to EVs are pretty common, plenty of conversion kits around (most from USA). Kits save time as they have the conversion plate already.

Once the conversion is complete running an EV is very cheap. An EV will cost around 1c / kilometre driven, or the equivalent of 0.8 L / 100km (The Frugal Prius – 4.4 L under optimal conditions). No regular oil change or servicing needed (besides steering, brakes etc), and an electric engine only needs new brushes every 80 000kms or so.

Although EVs still need power from a power plant the entire process produces up to 95% less CO2 than a conventional internal combustion engine. This can be further improved by sourcing your power from green sources (solar, wind etc). Currently 20% of Australia's CO2 emmisions come from car useage,

Driving range is the big hurdle at the moment with the EVs limited range (normal 70 - 120km) due to battery weight. It would be nice to load up a donor car with enough batteries to drive 200 – 300km, however the weight of the batteries required would make this impossible (lead slug syndrome). Currently a EV needs from 16 – 20 batteries, weighing approximately from 350kgs - 500gks (depending on battery selection). As a result EV enthusiasts are constantly talking of the next battery breakthrough that will (hopefully) produce cheap, high capacity lightweight batteries. I personally expect that the newly emerging electric car sector in California (such as Telsa) will help to speed up this process. Telsa's new car is a 2 seater sports car, very, very quick and has a 250km range! Or look at the electric version of the Atom - faster than a million dollar porshe or ferrari!

Daaaave

Here are some cool sites if you want more, some cheap conversions too.

Gav in NZ - has video diary, great stuff
http://www.kiwiev.com/index.htm

Project Fork-en-Swift (funny dirt cheap conversion)
http://www.forkenswift.com/

T3 fastback
http://t3ev.blogspot.com/

Porshe 924
http://www.evproject.com/

Australian EV conversions
http://www.shortcircuit.com.au/EVCA/HOMEPAGE.HTM

[ Edited on 2-5-2007 by pi22api22a ]

pi22api22a Officially Full-On Dubber

345 posts · joined Nov 2003 ·

#588811
VW Weight stuff

Notch & Fastback = 960kg
Square = 1025kg
Beetle = 650kg +

Engine of VWs weigh between say, 160kg -200kg (ish?)

Once you remove engine, fuel tank, exhaust (and anything else that you no longer need) your VW should be at least 250kg lighter?

So with 350kg - 500kg (max) of batteries onboard (+ other bits) I reckon your carrying only one or two Biggest Looser contestant?

I've seen a T3 squareback EV, curb weight 1350kg (18 8v lead acid flooded batteries), top speed 112km/hr, 70km range. Golf is around the same too..

Bettles are lightest, but not much room for batteries, T3's are better,

Still not sure of the golf, most conversions I've seen end up as 2 seaters (ran out of room?)

I think Paul - (southspark) is doing a golf conversion, nearly finished too!

[ Edited on 2-5-2007 by pi22api22a ]

[ Edited on 2-5-2007 by pi22api22a ]

Notch Nut Custom Title Time!

1,011 posts · joined Apr 2006 ·

#589152
Grey 57 wrote:
[i
BTW Dean...I am stickin to 6 volts!!!
Yeah Adam, I think I will stick to Porsche power mate. Way lighter and a lot more fun:thumb:thumb
Geeez, I thought you were a cute fuzzy greenie for a second there mate!.....:sandrine
If you can't fix it with a hammer,
you have an electrical problem....

Hertz www.melburgluft.com

1,080 posts · joined Nov 2005 ·

#589181
What about using a shitload of used mobile phone batteries. LIon batteries are meant to be great for this sort of thing, and reusing old ones has yet another benefit for the environment.
Click the Beetle

pi22api22a Officially Full-On Dubber

345 posts · joined Nov 2003 ·

#589272
Yeah I'm considering making up a similar battery to that. Need to talk to a few experts 1st as its not my area,

I've heard of people making up battery packs from smaller batteries (similar to those you find in RC cars), but did not find any being used by the EV crowd.

Arnt Prius battery packs etc just comprised of an array of small NiHD batteries?

baybuscamperkid prince of insufficient light, ruler of heck

4,316 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#589309
Hertz wrote:What about using a shitload of used mobile phone batteries. LIon batteries are meant to be great for this sort of thing, and reusing old ones has yet another benefit for the environment.
imagine the wiring :o
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