Dave's EV GrinMy Declaration of IndependenceE Tek motor brushes
OwnerDave Arnold
Owner's Other EV 1982 Volkswagen Rabbit
LocationFort Pierce, Florida US map
Vehicle1979 Honda CBX
I've started driving a car that I purchased recently... A few of the brushes are getting to the point that I'm a bit concerned about breakage. Also recently (possibly fortunately) I arrived at work to find that a metal scrapper cut-off and stole my extension cord. No big deal cuz that only hits me about half range. But when I got home it was real weak so I checked and found a weak battery and will have to do further tests and probably a warranty exchange. Sometimes the luxury of pluging in can mask a poor range problem? I'll most likely go to thunderstruck for the brushes.
MotorBriggs and Stratton E-Tek Permanent Magnet DC
Purchased from Electric Motorsport.com
DrivetrainDirect drive, #35 chain, 14T-70T sprockets.
ControllerAlltrax 4834
Purchased from evdrives.com Stuck with the 300 amp model, with the software tweaked down to @ 250 amps max, avoiding excess heat, saving juice and apparently reducing brush wear.
Batteries4 East Penn Deka 8A27M, 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, AGM
95ah. Purchased from St. Lucie Battery and Tire.
System Voltage48 Volts
Charger ABC
4 on board, 6A 12V output, 100-240vac input. Retractable 15' cord reel.
DC/DC Converter So cheap, never asked Roderick who made it!
20-60V input 10A 12V output. Purchased from EV Parts.com
InstrumentationCurtis "fuel" gauge . Stock analog volt gauge and speedometer.
Top Speed50 MPH (80 KPH)
45 mph max at @75% discharge.
AccelerationOk off the start, good through the mid range, with performance like a scooter.
Range25 Miles (40 Kilometers)
Approximately 20-25 miles at 50 mph, 45-55 miles at 25 mph, 40 to 65 miles max discharge, to @50% depth of discharge. It seems to get the best speed for discharge at around 40 mph.(dependent on head or tailwinds on country roads.)
Watt Hours/Mile196 Wh/Mile
Power usage: After a 15 mile commute, It takes 7 hours to recharge my pack. My chargers draw 3.5 total amps at 120 volts ac. 3.5 amps x 120 volts = 420 watts per hour (.420 kwhr) x 7 hours = 2,940 (2.94 kw)watts total divided by 15 miles = 196 watt hrs (.196 kwhr) per mile.
Cost to operate: .420 kwhr (at 6.3 cents/kwhr, my domestic rate here) = 2.65 cents/hr x 7 hr = 18.55 cents per charge. Rounded up to 19 cents and divided by 15 miles = 1.26 cents per mile. Battery pack life, (@50% depth of discharge over 4 yrs) with average use of 360 days/yr = 1,440 days. Divided by $550 = 38 cents/day, divided by 15 miles = 3 cents/mile. Total cost, excluding tires, brake pads, motor brushes, lamps, sprockets, chains or accidental damages = 4.26 cents per mile. *Update: my cost for electricity went down 1 cent per kwr*
EV Miles
Start:26,042 Miles (41,901 Kilometers)
Current:28,364 Miles (45,637 Kilometers)
Total:2,322 Miles (3,736 Kilometers)
Seating CapacityMe, and IF there's a passenger, a THONG-LADEN-HONEY ONLY.(with tattoo of course)
Curb Weight580 Pounds (263 Kilograms)
It lost weight with conversion. Was 625 lbs stock(dry).
TiresCheng Shen, "HI-MAX", inflated to 45 psi.
Conversion TimeAbout 230 hours including reconditioning the bike. Actual conversion(mounts, wiring , and misc..), much less. Thinking about it ... 15 years!
Conversion Cost$2,368 so far. Minus @ $1,200 via ebay part reclaimation.
Additional Features"Sticking it to the Oil Man".
Mostly I hear, "Oh... your coasting".. I say, "it's all downhill for me... yeah sure". And then there's, "That box you put over the motor will make it overheat".. I say, "If you find a motor inside that box I'll give you $50". Sometimes a guy will walk up and say, "Electric... wow... hmmmm... thats cool"

code by jerry