|
|
|
|
|
Now that I have discovered uploading pics......I can now show some of them.  Since having these fitted last year,I have been thinking of what I could use to draw a steady trickle of power through the day, my problem is that I have a digital meter that doesn"t go backwards, so I need to use it as it generates.  I have been thinking of converting my own car, and was on the look out for a milk float for the parts, but then I came across this on the bay..           The controls, charger and flux capacitor.....    This how you plug it in, i think the lawnmower has the same plug ;D  original gearbox 5 spd, motor on the right  It is now "on the road" in that its insured and taxed, I just need to save up for new batteries. I took it around the block today, flat out at 10 mph!! It is silent too, I think it will be fun, and its 20 years old so a bit quirky and retro. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yes, and that discreet battery box makes it a useable van As a matter of interest how much is a set of batteries? It is usually the cost and size of the battery pack that makes electric cars somewhat impractical. Making the technology work has been around for 20 or 30 years and we are still waiting for battery technology to catch up. Colin |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I asked about batteries for my camper and was given this info if it helps.
"for that and similar batteries try looking at firms that service and maintain security systems, emergency power supplies and computer uninteruptible power supply systems, all of these will be handling a lot of barely used backup batteries of all sorts, my company used to do a few and small 10Ah sealed lead acid batteries were a great find. in security systems they like the batteries changed every 5 or 10 years, I got some 3 year old unused batteries, because they didnt have 10 years guaranteed life left they were just ditched, so these people are worth talking to, they also had some large nickel cadmium wet batteries 2v 70Ah each - they were about a foot square and 2" thick per cell, just stack them up in series to the voltage you need, stack them in parallel to get thee capacity you need, (I have 20 of the 10Ah 6V batteries stacked to give me a 12v 100Ah battery bank."
|
| |
Volvo back as my main squeeze, more boost and some interior goodies on the way.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Making the technology work has been around for 20 or 30 years and we are still waiting for battery technology to catch up. Colin More like 120 years. There's an electric car from the 1920s (I know, not 120 years ago...) that does the rounds of the local shows, and its information board says it has a range of about 30 miles. There's also an electric Citroen Berlingo from the 1990s that does the same rounds, and it has a range of about 70 miles. 70 years apart, 40 miles more range. That's really not great. That's very cool though, I love the fact you've bought an electric van because you had some spare electricity lying around ;D |
| |
1989 Peugeot 205. You know, the one that was parked in a ditch on the campsite at RRG'17... the glass is always full. but the ratio of air to water may vary. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
I asked about batteries for my camper and was given this info if it helps. "for that and similar batteries try looking at firms that service and maintain security systems, emergency power supplies and computer uninteruptible power supply systems, all of these will be handling a lot of barely used backup batteries of all sorts, my company used to do a few and small 10Ah sealed lead acid batteries were a great find. in security systems they like the batteries changed every 5 or 10 years, I got some 3 year old unused batteries, because they didnt have 10 years guaranteed life left they were just ditched, so these people are worth talking to, they also had some large nickel cadmium wet batteries 2v 70Ah each - they were about a foot square and 2" thick per cell, just stack them up in series to the voltage you need, stack them in parallel to get thee capacity you need, (I have 20 of the 10Ah 6V batteries stacked to give me a 12v 100Ah battery bank." Also look out for those used for railway UPS applications, they are supposed to be able to run sections of signalling, including points for 3 hours. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Making the technology work has been around for 20 or 30 years and we are still waiting for battery technology to catch up. Colin More like 120 years. There's an electric car from the 1920s (I know, not 120 years ago...) that does the rounds of the local shows, and its information board says it has a range of about 30 miles. There's also an electric Citroen Berlingo from the 1990s that does the same rounds, and it has a range of about 70 miles. 70 years apart, 40 miles more range. That's really not great. That's very cool though, I love the fact you've bought an electric van because you had some spare electricity lying around ;D Madelvic made electric cars/vans in Edinburgh in 1899. They had a detachable power/drive unit that could attach to a horse drawn carriage! www.secretscotland.org.uk/index.php/Secrets/MadelvicCarriageCo |
| |
---------------------------
89 Masterace Surf
03 Astra
03 V40 Sport
09 E90 M Sport
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
An electric Sherpa whizzed past me in Sidcup recently....and I believe there's an electric CF that's received/receiving a V8 in the Reader's Rides section?
Do you want this thread moved to Reader's Rides Drew?
|
| |
|
|
mjd
Part of things
Posts: 46
|
|
|
|
Once visited the pumped storage power station at Dinorwic, which is basically a big cave. They used 'leccy Sherpas to ferry people around in there, largely because deep tunnels and exhaust fumes aren't a winning combination |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As you have to buy batteries anyway, would it not make sense to buy extras to store the power from the panels that's currently going to waste?
|
| |
Volvo back as my main squeeze, more boost and some interior goodies on the way.
|
|
kaeferkind
Part of things
German Engineering in da house
Posts: 87
|
|
|
|
How on earth has that beast ended up in the UK? The Subaru Domingo that served as base for the Elcat was very popular over here in the days, due to the fact that vans were tax exempt. And obviously, due to the engine mounted in the back was a good base for an electric vehicle. The Finnish Post had quite a lot of those, however, I don't know how they performed during the cold season. Here's a link to the company web page: www.elcat.fi/eng/ |
| |
1974 VW 1300 L20B
1997 VW Vento 2.0 LC6P
2014 VW Golf Variant 1.4 TSI 103 kW L041
2008 Skoda Fabia 1.9 TDI 77 kW Estate LA7W
ex.
2006 VW Jetta 2.0 TDI Sportline LA6R
2004 VW Bora 1.6 Xline LD1W
1994 VW Polo 1.3 Steilheck LB5V
1981 VW Derby 1.1 CLS LB5Y
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What was it in it's past life that it needs the tow bars on the front?
RE the batteries, I've had to pay to have UPS batteries removed before. There'll be a datacentre manager somewhere desperate to have some taken away if you know where to look.
In most cases, they sit being charged and discharged by the UPS management system so that they're in tip top shape whent he worst happens. Try and find some local installers or maintenance guys for the big UPS manufacturers (APC, Merlin Gerin, Schneider) and see how you get on.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Also try anywhere local that services mobility scooters. The 18/20/22Ah size are apparently worth about £1 to £1.50 when weighed in which is where most of them will go. So long as you don't get one with a shorted cell (10V as opposed to 12V after put on charge for a short while), they can be topped up with distilled water once you prize the little valves out.
That size also happens fit the cheap jump packs you get from Halfords for when the crappy charger they're supplied with inevitably borks the original battery.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I bought one back from london on the trailer the other week,looked just like that!  |
| |
1984 Subaru GLF Hatch
1983 Skoda 120LE Super estelle
1977 Subaru DL Wagon
1978 Datsun 120Y Coupe
1995 Skoda favorit estate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I like that it's a bright yellow van powered by sunshine.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Great replies guys, som really useful info, I did think today that this should be in readers rides-rmad, how do i get it moved? I will keep you updated on progress, looks like I have to save up;-0
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Have you got one as well Pete? to those who don"t know, Pete was a total star in that he did all the driving to pick it up- trowbridge to Kent and back! In the right light it has written along the top "Gatwick electric vehicle helping the enviroment" I think it was there for 10-12 years. I spoke to the guy who owned it after gatwick (he worked there, used it and took it with him when he left) he used to use it in the Brighton area, he fell about laughing when I rang him asking for info, apparently the staff hated it, so he took it on. He sold it to the guy I got it from, who was not nice. its got very little rust, but I think it will do so will waxoyl etc.
|
| |
|
|
uncle silvia
Posted a lot
Datsun Club UK - Devon & Cornwall Rep
Posts: 1,483
|
|
|
|
Cool van............ Add more batteries and a bigger motor and wa la........ ;D    |
| |
1981 KE70 Corolla - 1978 B310 Sunny Coupe - 1977 Pink Clubman Mini Shorty |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I did read that the elcat can be upgraded easily, apparently the motor will easily over voltage, so its down to the controller and batteries.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What was it in it's past life that it needs the tow bars on the front? Looking at the towbar electrical socket next to them, I'd guess it's a quick-fit A-frame to let it be towed (and charged?) behind a big car/motorhome as a runaround If you don't mind spending a bit (erm.. a couple of grand) a 90v lithium battery, which is about the size of a normal car battery, would be a VAST improvement! With over 100kg less weight to carry about, it would go faster, and further, from the same charge. Would also charge quicker too Also, if the charging system goes up the creek - grab a few laptop chargers off ebay. 19v, at just under 4A, with an EXTREMELY high efficiency, all in a self-contained package Just rig them up in a combination of parallel for more current, and series to get the correct voltage, and voilla! An easy to fix and replace charger system |
| |
You're like a crazy backyard genius! |
|
