Hello to All,
Victor Tikhonov wrote:
> I'd like listers opinion:
>
> If Insight as perfect EV oriented glider is getting so popular
> especially as EV-1 replacement, would there a high tech
> components kit ("just add the batteries") be popular?
>
> Im thinking of the finest components I'm able to put together
> while fit for Insight, as a turn-key kit (except batteries
> and BMS):
>
> - AC inverter - Siemens Simovert 6SV1 preprogrammed
> - Charger - Brusa NLG5xx preprogrammed, NiCd kit (softw.) optional
> - Ah meter - Brusa BCM220
> (All above hardware networked and talks via CAN)
> - AC motor - Siemens 1PV5105WS12
> - Water pump - Jabsco 59500-0012
> - Vacuum pump - MES 70/6E
> - Adapter plate - fits Insight
> - Shaft coupler for clutchless operation.
Geesh...you left off the best item, the Wayland Signature custom Insight Sound System
:-)
<http://www.geoff.shepherd.com/wayland/main.html>
Seriously, since I seem to have lit the fuse on this project, here's my correction
list so
far:
(1) I'd toss out that charger and go with a Manzanita charger and the new MK III reg
busses.
(2) I'd also not use that noisy and costly water pump, yes I know you think it's quiet
and
all, but I've heard it...too noisy, too large, too expensive.
Instead, go with a silent aquarium pump and inexpensive inverter that can also
double to provide on-board 120vac power for use inside this cool
EV to power up all kinds of computer toys! Some have questioned the reliability
of
these small aquarium pumps, but remember, they have years
of proof that under continuous, 24 hrs. per day, year-round use, that they last
anywhere from a couple of years, to as many as 6 years. With them
running far less as used in a car, they'll last forever.
(3) I'd also give the car a beefy clutch system, so that more radical EVers could take
off
in using the Insight's very 'tall' 1st gear, good to about 35 mph at 6500 rpm with the
Insight's 3 banger, and easily good to 60 mph with the AC motor's rpm capability. In
this
way, when racing against a V8 pony car (the Mustang 5.0 comes to mind), the upshift to
second at 60 mph will squeal the tires and leave a satisfying black patch, totally
intimidating the unsuspecting, un-eco muscle head next to you :-) 3rd should take
the
car well into the 130+ mph range, then a smooth shift into 4th will reduce spinning
losses
and yield high efficiency cruising at century + speeds! You need a clutch to make this
car an enthusiast's electric dream machine. Those who simply want to motor around can
leave the car in 2nd gear all the time, and treat the car as if it had an automatic,
with
very strong acceleration and with freeway speeds easily handled as well.
>Any other suggestions at this point?
Yes. With this being my proposal in the first place, please oh please, since we both
live
in Portland (I'll see you tonight at the OEVA meeting?) give me open input in pointing
you
in the right direction to a machine shop with the talented guys who do work worthy of a
show car, give me open input in pointing you in the right direction to a metal worker
for
all the brackets and hold-downs (FTMG), and please, do your best to avoid the 'rolling
science project' look. If you are going to make a kit, keep aesthetics in mind, make it
beautiful, make it logical, make it so one can easily view the electric motor under the
hood, keep all wires and cable assemblies neat and tidy, and make it come off looking
as
if it could have been designed and assembled in Japan.
For those who don't know yet, after Geoff Shepherd had posted my little blurb about an
Insight conversion, not one, but two OEVA members recently purchased Insights with the
sole reason for them to be used as some kind of a conversion donor car...things are
once
again, getting interesting here in Portland, one of the premier spots for head-turning
EV
conversions. With Victor, Rudman, Sheer, and myself all involved in the planning
stages of
these cool projects, there should be a couple of electric Insights roaming the streets
of
Portland in the future!
See Ya........John Wayland
