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EV Conversions
The Prospector EV is our first conversion.  We purchased this 1987 Subaru for $250, blown head gasket included. We call it "The Prospector" because we bought it from a man who spent his spare time in the mountains panning for gold.  This Subaru served him well, and will serve us as our ginnie pig.

Possible Changes to the Prospector EV PDF Print E-mail
Written by jonR   
Wednesday, 05 November 2008 00:00
parts
Installing Battery Pack: Trojan T-105's
It would be interesting to try adding another 12 volts to our battery pack and see if we burn out our controller or not.  The controller is specked for 72V, but has an over-range protection for a high floating pack.  I am betting that it can even be used higher than that, but the manufacturer wont say so, because they can charge more for a higher voltage controller.  If we do fry the controller, I could probably take it appart, and fix it, and then we would know what the limit is, or maybe I could bump it up myself.
Last Updated on Thursday, 20 November 2008 11:10
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Subsequent Trials PDF Print E-mail
Written by jonR   
Monday, 03 November 2008 00:00
parts
Fueled by Mountain Dew - and electricity
We have completed 2 more trials.  It looks like we get about 25 miles or so on a full pack to the point of crawling, so about 22 mile range realistically.  The car will go 35 mph without much problem.  The acceleration is a bit slower than most cars from a stoplight, but it is acceptable.  The EV took a little bit to get from 30 to 40 mph and quite a while to get from 40 to 50 mph.  Because all the batts are in the back, and we haven't replaced the springs yet, and there is very little weight in the front, the car was a bit squirrely at 55.  So I backed down.  I feel like it could have gone faster with enough open road and suspension work, but not very quickly.
Last Updated on Thursday, 20 November 2008 11:10
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First Test Run PDF Print E-mail
Written by Administrator   
Tuesday, 07 October 2008 00:00

prospector
Pushing the Prospector
Well we got it to move of it's own accord about 11:00pm.  We took it around the block a few times with some friends.  It seemed to accelerate much slower than we had hoped.  The following day, we decided to do a more thorough test, so we grabbed our wives, and hit the road.


Let me just say, we probably should have topped off the batteries. 

Last Updated on Thursday, 20 November 2008 11:10
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Finishing the Prospector EV PDF Print E-mail
Written by jonR   
Monday, 06 October 2008 00:00
parts
Jon and Brian
It is fun being so close to getting this electric vehicle conversion finished.  Brian has machined the coupler and adapter plate and electronics tray.  We have mounted the motor to the transmission.  We are wiring the battery pack and running the wires through the car to the engine bay.  We will mount the controller, contactor, and pot box to the electronics tray and wire everything up.  Also, I was able to find a nifty RFID reader and tags online and plan to use that for the key, kind of like the Prius (as I understand). 
Last Updated on Thursday, 20 November 2008 11:10
 
Prospector EV Parts Have Arrived PDF Print E-mail
Written by jonR   
Thursday, 14 August 2008 12:51

parts
Motor Controller

The EV parts for the Prospector have come.  We now have everything except for the batteries.  We were purposefully waiting on those until last, so that they are not just sitting around draining themselves. 

 
Last Updated on Thursday, 20 November 2008 11:11
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I Believe in Electrons

Our First Electric Vehicle Conversion

If at first you don't succeed

...add more batteries.

$1.44/gal of Gasoline

Except with electricity.

Yes, this car is 100% Electric

Want one?

http://jabev.com/components/com_gk2_photoslide/images/thumbm/514093wiring_the_electric_motor.jpg http://jabev.com/components/com_gk2_photoslide/images/thumbm/407990pushing_prospector.jpg http://jabev.com/components/com_gk2_photoslide/images/thumbm/727065electric_conversion.jpg http://jabev.com/components/com_gk2_photoslide/images/thumbm/351328testing.jpg
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