I have a 1993 Ford Festiva. This is my first conversion. Whether or not I want to convert it, it is too late. My engine destroyed itself and I removed it. I have removed pretty much everything related to the ICE with the intent to convert it. I am in the US Navy and I am floating around in the ocean. I cannot wait to get back home and be with my family. I also am going to continue work on my Festiva. I only live 5 miles from where I work, so theoretically I could ride a bicycle. I want something I can pick up groceries in etc.
The main point to this is. I cannot work on my car right now and I am just floating around ideas. This is my first project, and I want it to lead into more advanced ones as time allows. I am an electrician and I was a battery technician for Exide. I have a pretty good understanding of all of the aspects of EV theory, just no real wrench time on EV's. I want to glean as much knowledge as I can from all who use this service so I can have a good EV conversion. I have a lot of questions, but mainly I have a lot of ideas with the intent to try them. I see a lot of pride in the things that everyone does here. I also like opening my E-mail and having 20-30 new E-mails about people talking about the same thing I like thinking about. (electricity, theory, etc.) I do not have an abundance of money, but I can make do with my conversion. I am not looking for 100 mile range on my first project, nor am I looking for 80+ MPH. I just want a commuter car that I can experiment with and develop ideas for future projects. Many of the components I will use I plan on designing myself. The dash display I will either design myself or partially myself. The Motor controller/Inverter I will try to design and build myself. I have pretty good connections to the battery business, so I can get decent prices on batteries, cable, SB-connectors etc. so that part is not a concern. My main concern is getting the engineering down and getting good info so I can make educated decisions on paths to take when I return home. Thanks to all, Eric Patchem.
