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Step 7Garage set up
Power from panels flows thru charge controller (keeps batteries from overcharging) to eight 6 volt golf cart batteries . On a clear day 30 amps is available from panels. A 1000 watt inverter is connected to battery bank with large gauge wire. Cars 120 volt charger is connected to inverter.
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Apr 13, 2009. 2:40 PMPlanecrazy361
says:
Where in IL are you? I'm in Buffalo Grove, and would love to see the car someday if you're not too far away! Regards, Steve
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Aug 11, 2011. 8:48 PMspeedy4442001
says:
Yes, I too am in IL and wondering how far away from you I am. Also wondering if you do conversions for other, mechanically challenged people? And you total costs? I am very impressed!! Good job!
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Apr 12, 2009. 7:14 AMmisterwelder
says:
Awesome job. I've been wanting to go electric with and old beetle for a while now. I hope to have the success that you have.
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5
Apr 12, 2009. 9:16 AMmrmusty (author)
says:
Actually I was looking for an old beetle , before I found this Aspire , If I remember its a little lighter (and I wouldn't have to wear a seat belt) .I'm sure that someone has already figured out mounting motor and other tricks if you search online.
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Nov 15, 2010. 11:55 PMBGreenHVAC
says:
Why ruin a valuable car like an older VW. If it is old enough to not require a seat belt, It is an extremely valuable VW. It would make more sense to restore the Beetle and sell it. There should be enough cash to buy a new electric car if you wanted.
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Jan 16, 2010. 12:32 AMdesotojohn
says:
Have you thought about mounting the solar panels on top of the car?
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Apr 12, 2009. 8:17 AMrommel543
says:
What kind of speed and distance do you get out of the car? I was looking into a conversion kit but it only went 60-75 miles per charge and took 8 hours to charge the batteries.
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5
Apr 12, 2009. 9:37 AMmrmusty (author)
says:
Car will go 55 (but will cut range down) . Driving to work is about 25 mile round trip at 30-40 mph and a few miles on interstate at 55. Thats as far as I really want to discharge batts . But on a warm day at 30 mph I'm sure it would do better. Temps below 30-40 degrees slow you down. With my solar setup I am sometimes affected by cloudy weather. I used 9 - 8 volt batteries ,if you used 12 -6 volt batteries you could get more range. Maybe with a small pickup and a whole bunch of batteries you could get 60 - 75 miles per charge. You may have to move up to higher tech batteries !
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1
Jun 22, 2009. 6:44 PMluigi2999
says:
If ur car ran on 48V, you could use a couple of 48V LiFePo batteries, which have a vary high energy to weight ratio.
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3
Apr 12, 2009. 8:18 PMguitarman63mm
says:
How does lower temperature slow you down? I thought electricity conducts better at low temperatures. Or perhaps you're talking about something else...
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5
Apr 13, 2009. 2:01 PMmrmusty (author)
says:
Yes the wiring has less resistance but the lead acid batteries lose quite a bit of power when they get cold , maybe 50% when its below zero. Also grease in wheel bearings and transaxle gets thicker.
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5
Apr 13, 2009. 5:13 AM
JerryMopar
says:
JerryMopar
says:
you are correct with the temperature situation about the circuits, but batteries like the temp just right, not too hot, not too cold
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Apr 30, 2009. 10:47 PMSkitter302
says:
I like the plan, food for thought here>> how about mounting a fan for a generator about were a trailer hitch would go( just under the rear bumper).
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Apr 16, 2009. 9:26 AMmuell291
says:
Nice to see your combat robot skills going to good use here! What are the amp-hour ratings on your batteries on both the car and the home station?
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5
Apr 17, 2009. 9:34 PMmrmusty (author)
says:
Yea gotta keep buildin stuff ! There are 9 - 8 volt 170 AH batteries in car and 8 - 6 volt 225 AH batteries wired up for 12 volts in garage.
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Apr 14, 2009. 2:47 PMsrharvey
says:
There has to a be a better way to charge the car off the solar battery pack. Converting from DC to 120V AC and then back to the DC in the car seems like a waste.
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5
Apr 14, 2009. 3:24 PMmrmusty (author)
says:
You are so right, If I connected the 6 -12 volt panels in series it would be just perfect for charging. It would eliminate loss from inverter and battery charger. But I like to use solar panels and batteries as a back up during storm etc. I still might do something like that if I can figure out a way to switch panels from a parallel connection to series, and back again.
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1
Apr 15, 2009. 9:31 PMAdHd
says:
Plus, your setup allows you to recharge the car anywhere you go, not just at home. If you had enough batteries at home, you could also drive the car to work and charge it overnight from the solar batteries. Your setup gives you lots of flexibility at the cost of some efficiency - I wouldn't change a thing.
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Apr 14, 2009. 11:18 AMsumrandom1
says:
very cool, i dont have the mechanical know how, or even any other know how, but i will definitely build one of these soon. As soon as i have a garage to charge it, living in NYC is no picnic but if i cant charge the car, wuts the point of having it. Thanks for posting this, and good luck, i hope Li-Ion batteries will drop in price soon, and by a lot, would make this more economical and last longer, for a longer ride and a shorter charge time
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