Out with the ICEBeefing upBattery BoxNew Motor Installed!Making ProgressGaugesCharging up at workSolar panel
OwnerCoby Skye & Gabrielle Weeks
LocationLong Beach, California US map
Web/Email email image
Vehicle1999 Geo Metro
Free donor Vehicle
MotorAzure Dynamics/Solectria AC24 3-Phase AC
DrivetrainFWD, previously a 1.0 L 3 cyl
ControllerAzure Dynamics/Solectria DMOC445
Batteries13 Deka Dominator Gel (#8G31DTM), 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Gel
Added a 13th battery to extend range in Nov, still testing the new range
System Voltage156 Volts
ChargerManzanita Micro PFC-20
HeaterPlanning to buy a small heater that plugs into the lighter socket - its So. Cal. so I won't need a heater much.

A/C will be a bit harder to do without, but as a small consolation, I can't drive it much longer than 1 hour without using all the battery up.
DC/DC Converter Hood-mounted Solar Panel
Previously used a CC Power C400 model but it suddenly stopped working.

I am now using a solar trickle charger instead. If you've done this too, I would be interested in sharing notes.
InstrumentationElectroAuto's 3 pack: 6-16 volts for the house battery; "fuel" gauge reading full at 156 Volts (for total pack voltage); and -200.0.200 Ammeter

with 13th battery, I'm switching out the SOC calibrated for 144 nom. volts for a 115 - 175 Volt gauge (also from EA)
Top Speed70 MPH (112 KPH)
9-7-08 Update: Just did a freeway test drive, the car will do at least 70
AccelerationSlightly better than the old 3 cyl.
Range35 Miles (56 Kilometers)
9-3-08 update: went over 30 miles today around town and only drained to about 40%! Not bad :)

October update - below 20%, car has little usable capacity. Realistic range is about 30 miles of fwy driving, 40-45 miles around town depending on hills, driving style, etc. Still not bad :+)

Nov update: added a 13th battery, will need lots more testing to figure out new range.
Watt Hours/Mile320 Wh/Mile
Rough estimate, including some freeway driving and charging losses
EV Miles
Start:194,346 Miles (312,702 Kilometers)
Current:194,916 Miles (313,619 Kilometers)
Total:570 Miles (917 Kilometers)
 
    As of 11/8/2008
Seating Capacity2 adults (took out the back seat for batteries)
Curb Weight1,859 Pounds (844 Kilograms)
prior to conversion process, probably about 2500 now with batteries installed
Tires9-23-08: Just put new Falken ZE-512 (low rolling resistance) 195/60R15s on the Acura rims that the previous owner got. So far they work great! Even steering is easier when stopped (since the car never had power steering, that is a good thing).
Conversion Timetoo long (our first conversion, so everything is a learning process :)
Conversion CostVehicle - donated
A/C Kit from EA - $11K
Brakes/Suspension - $500
Batteries - $2,500
AVCON Adapter - $250
Battery Box - $40 from a friend (thanks Charlie!)
Professional services (welding, wiring, etc.) - approx. $2,500
Additional FeaturesInstalled interface to the Controller into the cabin, makes it easier to get readings and make adjustments. If you have a similar project with an Azure Dynamics controller, email me and I'll send you my files for comparison.

Added a solar trickle charger for the house battery, to replace the DC to DC converter which suddenly went dead. So far works well, we'll see how it does in the winter when there's less sun.
Installed A/C Light Vehicle Kit from Electro Automotive WebPage

8/8/8 update - It's alive! Just took the first EVer self-propelled test drive.

Note: We previously contracted with Bob Van Gorder of Romona, CA to complete the conversion, however we DO NOT recommend Bob.

code by jerry