DIY electric vehicle. Suggestions to increase range?

Question

Hey guys,

been looking into Do It Yourself electric vehicles. motorcycles look like a nice bet. Iv seen alot of how-to's on building an all eclectric motorcycle for roughly $2500-$3500.

Iv got the skills and the money. And time for work and research.

Now my commute to work is 7-8 miles each way. One is hilly with few stops. One is through city. little longer. no hills. lots of stops. so im looking at about 16miles to and from (my car gets better gas mileage the hilly route.). My commute to college is farther. Thats about 20 miles one way on a highway like road, speeds 40-50mph.

How can I make a Bike (motorcycle) capable of that distance? Iv seen some 10 mile rangers. 15 mile ones. and then some jump to 50miles.

I know id just need extra batteries, but are there any people who have a nice way to use X amount of batteries for shorter commutes, and have a quick way to install Y amount for extra range?

Iv got til Sept. before school restarts.

My budget is <$4000. I need links!

Answer 1

Buy yourself a small motorcycle.  Gas powered.  You&#039;ll use maybe 1/2 gallon of gasoline on your way to college and a good deal less on your way to work.  The fuel cost will be minimal.  You&#039;ll have to do a bit of looking because for the last several bikes have been bought by people who want to go 200 miles per hour or tow a trailer or both, and that&#039;s most of what&#039;s on the market right now.  Lemme check the Honda website....

Heck, with your budget you can buy a brand-new Honda Rebel or Nighthawk, MSRP $3600 or so.  250cc commuter bikes, reliable as can be, and fast enough for the highway.

That&#039;s what I&#039;d do.  They look comfortable to ride.

Answer 2

Ever consider the new Hybrid smart car ? i&#039;ve seen some news that they are going to be offered under some kind of a &quot;once in a life time&quot; buy from wal mart or costco...someplace. Didn&#039;t get the details.

If building your own, I guess the best you can do to extend range is increase the battery capacity. Battery technology hasn&#039;t really changed enough in the past decades. Sure, now we have lithium and such, but the capacity of them are greatly limited for the general public.

Answer 3

I ride my 1974 Raleigh Bicycle($90) 11 miles each way to work. No electric necessary. Can&#039;t help you on the electric except to say 7-8 miles you can do without.

Answer 4

The one EV car I currently have (have 2 vehicles that run on hydrogen also) I converted from a vw bug and is free to charge. As I live completely off the grid all my electricity comes from solar panels and 2 wind generators, which I also built.

However I did charge up at Costco in Carlsbad California (I actually only drove up there to fill up) if I remember right it was around $2.00

Not sure if you’re interesting in doing it yourself, but I’d be willing to walk you step by step threw the conversion. I&#039;ve converted 3 of my own cars (a datsun truck, ford ban, and a vw bug) and a few for neighbors. I&#039;ve also converted cars to run on hydrogen, ethanol and biodiesel, by far EV is the easiest.

If you’re interested here’s what it would entitle…

- The engine compartment is first cleaned out of any gasoline components.

- Electric components are then installed in exchange.

- A battery bank is built and incorporated.

- Existing starter and driving systems are connected.

- Turn the key, step on the gas pedal sending more energy to the electric motor, &amp; thus more power to the drive system, which in return creates more speed, more acceleration.

- The system has normal automotive top speeds and acceleration, typical to the vehicle your modifying. If your top speed was 85 mph and your acceleration was 1 mile per min, then this will be what your left with after the conversion.

The methods are extremely simple, making the process possible for anyone, everyone, ANYWHERE.

Typical tools, hardware &amp; supplies are used, making access to parts available for all.

Electric Conversions can be easily accomplished in ANY model vehicle, even tractors, Generators, types of machinery, etc.

Project lengths range from 1 day to 1 month.

If you’re interested I wrote a guide on it which is available at www agua-luna com

My last EV conversion ran me about $1400. Everything is available online. I have a how to do it yourself guide available at www agua-luna com that will walk you step by step through the process. If you have ANY questions feel free to contact me through the site. Here’s a list of what you&#039;d need...

Advanced DC Motor

The motor is an 8&quot; Advanced DC series-wound motor. It weighs 107 pounds and is rated at 68 peak horsepower. These motors are available in several sizes.



Adaptor plate

The adaptor plate mates the motor to the transmission. It is constructed of 1/2 inch aluminum and is pre-drilled with bolt hole patterns for both the motor and transmission. An aluminum spacer is also used for proper spacing between the shafts of the transmission and motor. Adaptor plates are available for many cars.

DC Motor Controller

The controller regulates current going to the motor. It is a solid-state device that uses a pulse width modulator (PWM) that sends short bursts of current to the motor at a rate of 15 kHz. Controllers are available from both Curtis and DCP.

Potbox (Potentiometer)

The potbox is a 5K ohm throttle between the controller and the accelerator, similar to the way a sewing machine pedal works. The potbox&#039;s lever arm is attached to the existing accelerator cable.

Main Contactor

An electric relay that serves the same purpose as the ignition switch in a gas car. When the key is turned to the start position, the contactor closes the circuit to allow current to flow to the controller.

Circuit Breaker

A safety device that shuts down power for servicing or during an emergency. The circuit breaker is installed under the hood and can be switched both off and on from the drivers seat with an extension or cable.



Main Fuse

The main fuse protect the system from high voltage spikes. A fuse should be installed at each battery box or group of batteries.



Shunt

A shunt is placed in series within the wiring as a means to connect meters. Shunts are available in different sizes for both high and low power configurations.

  

Charger interlock

A relay that keeps the circuit open so nobody will inadvertantly drive off with the charge cord plugged into the car.



DC/DC Converter

The DC/DC converter is similar in function to a gas car&#039;s alternator. It charges the 12 volt accessory battery by chopping voltage from the main battery pack down to 13.5 volts.

If you interested I offer several DIY alternative guides to walk you step by step threw EV conversion process at agua-luna com or

www agua-luna com

Hope this helped, feel free to contact me personally if you have any questions if you’d like assistance in making your first self sufficient steps, I’m willing to walk you step by step threw the process. I’ve written several how-to DIY guides available at  www agua-luna com on the subject. I also offer online and on-site workshops, seminars and internships to help others help the environment.

Dan Martin

Alterative Energy / Sustainable Consultant, Living 100% on Alternative &amp; Author of How One Simple Yet Incredibly Powerful Resource Is Transforming The Lives of Regular People From All Over The World... Instantly Elevating Their Income &amp; Lowering Their Debt, While Saving The Environment by Using FREE ENERGY... All With Just One Click of A Mouse...For more info Visit:  

www AGUA-LUNA com

Stop Global Warming!!!