[GRLUG] OFF TOPIC Electric Car

[Casey DuBois]

On Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 3:29 PM, Collin Kidder <adderd at kkmfg.com> wrote:
> First get together $15,000. That's partially a joke... But you really
> probably should count on at least $5,000. It really depends on what
> you'd like to do and how comfortable you'd be with building your own
> circuits, frames, supports, etc. The more experience you have with
> mechanical and electrical construction the less you'd need to buy and
> the cheaper it could be.

Building Circuits is NOT my best strength - however there seems to be
several GRLUG members that could help.

>
> I suppose that, if you had a good idea of what you were doing, you could
> at least create a hybrid style drive for a couple thousand. It'll still
> be upwards of 15k if you want a fully electric car.

I totally agree that a hybrid would be a cheaper alternative however
my interest is in ELECTRIC.

>
> The problem is that a fully electric car should have at the very least a
> 100HP motor. That alone could set you back $4,500. Add on top of that
> batteries. Even if you use car batteries you could be looking at $50 -
> $100 a battery. If you get 15 of them at an average $75/pc it's $1125.
> Then you need motor control hardware. It can add up really quick.

Would like to use Lion bats however price/budget will be deciding factors.

>
> Now, a hybrid could get by with something less. A high RPM 40HP motor
> could work. This would run $1,500 or so. You'll still need a bunch of
> batteries but maybe not as many. So let's say $700 for batteries. You're
> still, then, looking at $2,200 just for those two things.
>
> You can of course go cheaper by buying used. Right now presses are being
> scrapped for their dead weight price. You could buy a press for maybe
> $400  - $1000, take the motor, and scrap the rest to make most of your
> money back.

Now THIS is the kind of thinking I was hoping to provoke.
I NEVER thought of used motors but that makes the most sense.
Would there be any chance of reusing controllers from one of these presses?

I really apreciate ALL of the input and would like to discuss further
with a meeting to discuss in person.

Should I start a Group on Linkedin to discuss or would it be OK to
have a thread or two on the GRLUG as a starting point?

Casey


>
> Matt Hofmann wrote:
>> I'm interested in converting a car. Where do we start?
>>
>> On Wed, Nov 19, 2008 at 10:56 AM, Casey DuBois <casey at grlug.org> wrote:
>>
>>> I have dreamed of taking a car with a blown engine and building an
>>> electric car for a couple years.
>>> While talking with MM it seems that others share my dream.
>>> Who else in the GRLUG has interest or expertise to add?
>>> Does anyone know of any local groups that may be into electric cars?
>>>
>>> Casey DuBois
>>> 616-808-6942
>>> casey at grlug.org
>>> _______________________________________________
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-- 
Casey DuBois
616-808-6942
casey at grlug.org