City-EL CabrioCity-EL CabrioCity-EL CabrioCity-EL Cabrio
OwnerChris Jordan
Owner's Other EVsE-Pod
2007 TerraTrike
LocationSanta Cruz, California US map
Vehicle1993 CityCom CityEl Cabrio
OEM Electric with modifications.
MotorThrige-Titan Triage 48V Compound Wound DC
36V nominal
DrivetrainPoly-vee belt 260J13 (13PJ660)
ControllerAlltrax AXE 4865
650 amp 48V nominal
Programmed to deliver 200 amps max to stay within grip
limits of drive belt. Turns out to be plenty, especially at the
higher battery voltage.
Batteries4 Sears DieHard Platinum PM-1, 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Gel
90+ Ah 75 LB each EnerSys PC2150 AGM badged as Sears
Die Hard Platinum PM-1. 4-year free replacement
warranty.

Upgraded to 48 volt system, 3 batteries in original battery
rack, and one in the rear cargo area with steel strap and
long threaded rods holding it in place.
48 volt pack tapped at 36 volts supplies the factory DC-
DC converter, windshield wiper, and heaters.

Separate charger on each battery compensates for the
additional load on the batts in the 36 volt portion.
System Voltage48 Volts
ChargerSears PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610EPS12V
There are four power factor corrected ATX computer
Power Supplies. As stock power supplies they can deliver
12.0 volts at 49 amps and 1 external Sears Platinum (2 to
125 amp charger or booster- 16.6 to standard/normal
13.1 volts.
The great things:
1) better efficiency due to PFC
2) automatically accepts 100-240V
3) very quiet
4) lightweight (on-board chargers)
5) fast charging
6) one charger per battery
7) external booster is heavier and noisier, but not always
necessary.
Heatertwo 400W and fans
DC/DC Converter
factory
InstrumentationStandard Dash, Battery low voltage alert, bike computer
replaces annoying LED array simulating analog speedometer.
Top Speed50 MPH (80 KPH)
Significantly faster acceleration with 48 volts instead of 36
volts at the controller input. I can now take the
expressways!
Acceleration0 mph to 40 mph; 25 seconds - NO jackrabbit starts; steady
climb in speed.
Range20 Miles (32 Kilometers)
Not getting original 35 mile range due to faster acceleration
and double the top speed.
EV Miles
Start:75,000 Miles (120,675 Kilometers)
Current:75,100 Miles (120,835 Kilometers)
Total:100 Miles (160 Kilometers)
 
    As of 12/3/2008
Seating Capacity1 adult
Curb Weight825 Pounds (374 Kilograms)
4th battery, 4 chargers, tester, relays,etc. Normal is 630
pounds.
Tires3 Pirelli 80/70 16s - 2 back, 1 front
Conversion TimeFactory built, with significant modifications detailed below.
Conversion Cost$5500. + towing $140. + Tires $78. + license $600. +
insurance $48. + Charger/booster $100. + 2010 tags -
$100.
Additional FeaturesDrive ratio changed from original 7.2:1 to about 4.5:1 to increase top speed. New
components:

1) Custom solid aluminum driven pulley with anodized finish.
2) Custom solid aluminum idler assembly to accommodate the new smaller driven
pulley.
3) 260J13 poly vee belt.
4) More powerful (Alltrax) motor controller, current limited to 200A to prevent
damaging stress to drive belt.

Bike computer and interface (provides more accurate speed reading, average speed,
better visibility at night than the stock glaring LED array)

Recharge to 80% SOC is very quick, under 2 hours for a 20 mile trip, all from a
conventional 20 amp circuit.

Wipers & washer, heaters, turn signals, headlight, brake lights, reverse light great!

3rd brake light on roll bar to enhance visibility. (2 additional trailer lights for lower
brake lights)



Most common things heard from onlookers:
"That is so cool!"
"Tight ride, man!"
"Does that go on the freeway?"
"SLOW DOWN!"
"That is unique! Did you make that?"
"Are those Mercedes rims?"
Too many more to remember......
More info about City-Els: www.cityel.de , www.cityel.com ,
Ralf Wagner's Web site at www.ralfwagner.de/mini/technik_us/Technik.htm

code by jerry