Anyone here done a DIY EV ??

[goingbush]

I've been on the lookout for a suitable vehicle to convert to EV .

Just snagged a PT Cruiser with a bad engine on Gumtree .

Probably a stupid Idea because there are no VASS Engineers within 150km so theres a problem to begin with !!

[NavyDiver]

I've been on the lookout for a suitable vehicle to convert to EV .

Just snagged a PT Cruiser with a bad engine on Gumtree .

Probably a stupid Idea because there are no VASS Engineers within 150km so theres a problem to begin with !!

No idea but this might interest you Electric Defender (http://newatlas.com/land-rover-electric-defender-4wd-ev/26464/)
"90-bhp (70 kW) electric motor and 27 kWh battery " its specs would be easy to exceed now but the price could be spicey. Are you thinking of a gen set or solar panels for recharging when in the bush?

[pop058]

I've been on the lookout for a suitable vehicle to convert to EV .

Just snagged a PT Cruiser with a bad engine on Gumtree .

Probably a stupid Idea because there are no VASS Engineers within 150km so theres a problem to begin with !!

Watching with interest, but a PT Cruiser. Really [bigsad]

[bee utey]

It's the stuff that you have to power up without an idling engine that costs you extra money, i.e brake vacuum, power steering, heating and air conditioning. Then there's integrated electronic systems. Something simple made before say the mid 70's would be a better choice for a first conversion. There are plenty of converted classic cars in the US, particularly in California, a google search would find them.

[pop058]

I seem to remember that there was a. EV Series Landy project for sale awhile ago. Ad on evilbay but a member here ?

[Tins]

Watching with interest, but a PT Cruiser. Really [bigsad]

PT Crusher would be preferable, IMO.[bigsmile1]

[goingbush]

I would never consider owning a PT Cruiser as a Internal combustion car but I was looking for a larger internal volume ( to transport model aircraft to the flying field 35km away) on a small platform, with a large roof area (for solar panels) and an aerodynamic body shape ( which eliminated a van style body) The used price on these things is low now as the early ones are 15 years old. Also they are horrible to work on the engine, (Like a Freelander) its a nightmare job to change water pump and timing belt .

I can live with Electric vac pump and PS pump , will have no A/C but have to have electric heater / demister for ADR's , hopefully roof solar panels will take care of the 12volt stuff.

[goingbush]

this is cool


https://youtu.be/omft20Uro-s

[VladTepes]

Step 1: Build fire under PT Cruiser.
Step 2. Start with fresh slate....

[goingbush]

Step 1: Build fire under PT Cruiser.
Step 2. Start with fresh slate....

I'm getting some negative vibes here, I've never had anything to do with a PT Cruiser , so apart from the engine and the way the look, whats wrong with them ??

Its not too late for me to fix the engine and sell it , would very easily double my money . it only cost me $1500 and is totally rust free with leather interior in great nick .

[pop058]

I'm getting some negative vibes here, I've never had anything to do with a PT Cruiser , so apart from the engine and the way the look, whats wrong with them ??

Its not too late for me to fix the engine and sell it , would very easily double my money . it only cost me $1500 and is totally rust free with leather interior in great nick .

That about covers it [biggrin]

[p38arover]

Try this Passat conversion page from a guy (works at Tesla) on the RangeRovers.net forum: The Electric Passat (http://etischer.com/awdev/)

[goingbush]

I was actually thinking of converting the Lightweight, especially before I fixed that stinking Zenith carry, nothing worse that the stink of petrol and exhaust fumes spoiling the open air drive with the top down , EV would have sorted that problem .

But cutting the tops off those rare Lightweight petrol tanks to install battery packs would have been sacrelidge !! still would be cool though as I never drive it more than EV range anyway !!

[bsperka]

For power steering look at vehicles with electric assist rack and pinion that will fit into the vehicle, so no pump required. Cars from the Jazz through to Ford Territory have them.

[VladTepes]

Mate.. it's the looks !

[VladTepes]

Some interesting threads - EV Land Rovers... (no, not new/factory ones)

Electric Series I — LRO (https://www.lro.com/reviews/featured-vehicles/1409/electric-series-i)

Planning Land Rover Series conversion - DIY Electric Car Forums (http://www.diyelectriccar.com/forums/showthread.php/planning-land-rover-series-conversion-37062.html)
(looks like an relevant forum for you too)

Electric land rover re-power - International Forum - LR4x4 - The Land Rover Forum (https://forums.lr4x4.com/topic/50154-electric-land-rover-re-power/)

[goingbush]

done deal

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/06/106.jpg

[cripesamighty]

Good luck - and have fun!

[JDNSW]

Looking forward to seeing how you go with it (pictures included)!

[p38arover]

I like the look of Chrysler's recent vehicles because they don't look like every other vehicle on the market.

[DeanoH]

Pay no attention to the nay sayers, if you can turn the Iveco into a decent vehicle with brakes that actually work this project should be a walk in the park. [bigsmile1]

Deano :)

[cripesamighty]

Good, bad or indifferent, I actually have a soft spot for the PT Cruiser. In 1999/2000 I was at the Detroit Motor Show and saw the PT Cruiser and Plymouth Prowler concept cars which were displayed right next to each other. The staff gave me a 1:32 scale model of each because of my Australian accent and thought I had come a long way to see their show. Fast forward nearly 10 years and I ended up with a PT Cruiser for a couple of days to zip around LA during a layover. Made me laugh when they gave me the keys as I had already sat in one when it wasn't even slated for production and now finally got to drive one.

[DiscoMick]

Neil Young did, but his budget might be a bit larger than yours.
NEIL YOUNG'S ELECTRIC 1959 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL - LINCVOLT | Street Machine (https://www.streetmachine.com.au/features/1612/neil-young-lincvolt-electric-1959-lincoln-continental-mark-iv)
Lincvolt - Repowering the American Dream - Blog (http://www.lincvolt.com/lincvolt_lincvoltgazette)

[loanrangie]

About 30 years ago my dad's mate that had a business repairing electric motors built an EV using a Fiat bambino , probably the only reliable Fiat on the road :)

[digger]

Planning Land Rover Series conversion - DIY Electric Car Forums (http://www.diyelectriccar.com/forums/showthread.php/planning-land-rover-series-conversion-37062.html)

Tech Talk: Electric Vehicle Conversion (http://www.underhoodservice.com/tech-talk-electric-vehicle-conversion/). Remember this is 2013 though.. there seems to be a few pt cruisers converted.


Maybe some tips here?
Watching with interest

[goingbush]

Neil Young did, but his budget might be a bit larger than yours.
NEIL YOUNG'S ELECTRIC 1959 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL - LINCVOLT | Street Machine (https://www.streetmachine.com.au/features/1612/neil-young-lincvolt-electric-1959-lincoln-continental-mark-iv)
Lincvolt - Repowering the American Dream - Blog (http://www.lincvolt.com/lincvolt_lincvoltgazette)


Awesome Stuff, I have a soft spot for Lincolns, having owned 3 Continentals myself , a Mk 4 and 2 Mk 7's

hadn't thought of going big :)

[goingbush]

Well it did not take long for the PT Cruiser EV project to run off the rails.

Engineering advice from VASS engineer says its not impossible but getting VicRoads approval (Blue Plate) on any post '93 vehicle is difficult (not impossible) because of front & side crumple zones . Since I am replacing the Internal Combustion Engine with Electric motor , on a FWD car the engine is a significant part of crumple zone.

Plus the fact that I was cutting a big hole in the floor above petrol tank for a battery box.


soo looking around the yard what else do I see that I could convert to EV .

...... hmmmm

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/07/503.jpg

[cjc_td5]

Vehicle in foreground or background?? 😉

[DiscoMick]

Do the plane. It's been done.

[Shoogs]

These guys elandy.nl (http://www.elandy.nl/) have been making electric game drive Landovers for a few years now.


Have seen them in action in Kafue Zambia and Chobe Botswana, seem to be on the increase.

[VladTepes]

I want someone to convert a Tesla to an ICE.... [biggrin]

[digger]

Do a bog standard rover not a lightweight...

[goingbush]

Do a bog standard rover not a lightweight...

yeah, I know. Im upset when people chop up good original Lightweights in the UK to put V8's and Tdi's in them, and I have no emotional investment in them, esp on the other side of the world.

So Im a hypocrite , but there is method in my madness . Im not going to be cutting a single piece of metal or drilling a single hole. and I'll be keeping all my ICE parts and it can easily be put back as it should be.

from the outside there will be no giveaway at all. I'll even have an original looking exhaust tail pipe to meet VSB14 pertaining to vented battery boxes , the vents must be at rear or sides of vehicle.

Its still going to have gearbox and TC oil leaks , though it will only need to stay in top gear ,

I simply love driving this Lightweight , more so than any other Series Ive had, and I do on a regular basis, but never over 35 km away and usually only short trips to the shops, The Landy does not even warm up and its not good for it, where on the other hand those are ideal conditions for Electric. tho in reality its a total waste of money and I doubt I'll convince anyone.

If it was just about having an electric car I'd buy a Renault Zoe or Nissan Leaf , but its not about that , its about the journey.

[pop058]

yeah, I know. Im upset when people chop up good original Lightweights in the UK to put V8's and Tdi's in them, and I have no emotional investment in them, esp on the other side of the world.

So Im a hypocrite , but there is method in my madness . Im not going to be cutting a single piece of metal or drilling a single hole. and I'll be keeping all my ICE parts and it can easily be put back as it should be.

from the outside there will be no giveaway at all. I'll even have an original looking exhaust tail pipe to meet VSB14 pertaining to vented battery boxes , the vents must be at rear or sides of vehicle.

Its still going to have gearbox and TC oil leaks , though it will only need to stay in top gear ,

I simply love driving this Lightweight , more so than any other Series Ive had, and I do on a regular basis, but never over 35 km away and usually only short trips to the shops, The Landy does not even warm up and its not good for it, where on the other hand those are ideal conditions for Electric. tho in reality its a total waste of money and I doubt I'll convince anyone.

If it was just about having an electric car I'd buy a Renault Zoe or Nissan Leaf , but its not about that , its about the journey.

That is just it, you don't have to convince anyone else but you ( and maybe the Minister for War and Finance [biggrin] ). It's yours, go for it.

[goingbush]

I want someone to convert a Tesla to an ICE.... [biggrin]

Great Idea so long as they give me their motor & Battery pack [smilebigeye][bigsmile]

[goingbush]

Just done some Maths for the engineer,

Im going to use an AC51 3phase motor with VFD . Weight 60kg (88 horsepower and 108 ft-lbs. of torque but unlike ICE it has maximum torque right from zero RPM ... 2-1/4 petrol has 72HP / 120ft-lbs )

Im using 45 x 180Ah LiFePo4 CALB 3.2v cells for a 144 volt system , Each cell weighs 5.5Kg

I'll make 2 battery boxes to replace the underseat fuel tanks , Each holds 10 Cells 55Kg each , slightly more than a Full petrol tank .

Leaving 25 cells at 140Kg to mount under the bonnet, LR motor weight 204kg . Basically exactly the same weight & same weight distribution = Engineer happy .

Wiring , Controller . BMS ect will weigh a little bit but offset by removing Radiator & exhaust system

[digger]

That is just it, you don't have to convince anyone else but you ( and maybe the Minister for War and Finance [biggrin] ). It's yours, go for it.

That's true...

But word of warning, any of you bastards try and bodgy up a gun buggy and I'll be all nasty like..

[tonguewink]

[Mick_Marsh]

Before you ge too far down the track, why not a Mini or a Moke.
Swinburne (I think it was) and Johns Perry Lifts converted two Mokes to electric back in the '70s.

[pop058]

Before you ge too far down the track, why not a Mini or a Moke.
Swinburne (I think it was) and Johns Perry Lifts converted two Mokes to electric back in the '70s.

Are you offering a Moke ?? [wink11]

[goingbush]

Before you ge too far down the track, why not a Mini or a Moke.
Swinburne (I think it was) and Johns Perry Lifts converted two Mokes to electric back in the '70s.

Because I'm "not allowed" to get any more "piles of junk" .

but a Mini would be awesome . Check these Minis out

Phill Roberts' 1968 Morris Mini matic (http://www.evalbum.com/2407)

Mike Laba's 1963 Morris Mini (http://www.evalbum.com/1715)

a Mini Ute Richard Bebbington's Mellow Yellow (http://www.evalbum.com/254)

a moke but no tech details UNSW/CIT Electric Mini Moke (http://www.evalbum.com/4457)

[goingbush]

and some LandRovers

EVAlbum: Search Results (http://www.evalbum.com/type/LAND)

look at the conversion on the Discovery , All those exposed PB Batteries in the back - that is a big no no .

[goingbush]

Ohh Look , heres one on eBay $9000 ready to go .

2008 Blade Electron Battery Electric (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2008-Blade-Electron-Battery-Electric-/172737064371?hash=item2837ee6db3:g:EkkAAOSwnK9ZQ8D 2)

[bee utey]

I want someone to convert a Tesla to an ICE.... [biggrin]

Just for you, I looked up the question and found someone in DumbHickIstan who has mocked one up.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/07/641.jpg

[crash]

I want someone to convert a Tesla to an ICE.... [biggrin]
The first Tesla cars used a Lotus as there starting point, so one of the original Teslas should not be too hard to convert to ICE.