So now I've got to that stage I feel more certain that this is going to happen properly soon.
The next step is to step back a little bit and remove all the parts I don't need off the car properly and start to buy and build the rest of the parts I still need, ie;
- Remove fuel tank, pipes and other ancillary parts I don't need
- Build a battery box, 1 for the front and 1 for the back
- Design a heatsink, fans and mount for the curtis controller
- Finish the box off for the controller parts, relays etc
- Buy a charger ~ £200-500
- Buy and fit a power inlet socket - £60
- Change the foot pedal for the 5K pot type - (I will mount the 5k pot to the current pedal)
- Buy and fit a vacuum pump for the brake system
- Mount the Curtis display on the centre console
- Change the gear selector to have the interlock and forward-reverse switches in it
- Add any other required switches to the centre console
- Build in the gear change motor with up-down switches on the gear selector
.... and last but definitely least, buy some batteries!... £1200-£3000!
Now I've written the list I can see I still have a way to go.
Great progress and blog update..
ReplyDeleteI think you'd originally planned to skip gears and use 2nd, 4th & 6th. Do you now think you'd only actually need to select one gear and stick to it? Or is that just a temporary measure to get the car up and running for a while using a fixed mid-box gear.?.
Also My V8 Westfield is only slightly lighter and doesn't need a brake servo.. Might you be able to just swap to a smaller bore master cylinder?
Thanks for the interest. I think I'd like to keep the option to be able to change gear so build the electronics in to enable it especially as the process of changing gear is much more complicated for this gearbox. In fact as it's pretty cold outside still I've just put the arduino stuff on my desk to fit it into a proper box so it's ready to go when I need it. Fitting some switches to the up-down gear stick would be a really cool option to have, and make it far more fun in the lower gears.
DeleteI has a Westfield before the Smart that I bought and rebuilt, it was a tweaked 1.6 xflow with twin 40s but sensibility took over and I sold it... if I had the space I'd have kept it. That would have been an easy conversion. I'm reluctant to fiddle with the brakes on the Smart as i might come under greater scrutiny, I haven't yet got a definitive answer on the process of conversion and inspections.
Well done for getting it in and moving! I am hoping to build something similar myself - if not with a dual motor set up but can see how tight the space is so would need some engineering behind it!
ReplyDeleteThis blog will save me tonnes of time to get to the stage you are at so thank you!
Any more progress - We had some sun last week so I hope you where busy! :-D
What batteries are you going to use and where are buying them from if you don't mind me asking? Lithium would make sense for the space you have available?
Thanks again!
Almost no progress recently, I'm also starting a small design company so what with kids too I have even less time.
ReplyDeleteIronic that the weather is so poor which I've heard is down to the gulf stream slowing due to burning fossil fuels which is preventing me from converting to electric.. so I have to keep driving the Diesel for now...
The batteries are coming from someone who is doing a Smart conversion and has a few left over, I'll only have 6KWH but I'm happy with that. I'm building a 18650 pack (highly dangerous I know) but that's a different project and I'll probably be retired before that one is done.
The sun/warmth is truly here now so my evening time has just increased massively post kids going to sleep. With the business plan too sometimes I have so many different things to do I don't know where to start.
I understand what you mean! Too many things pulling you each way...
DeleteI’ve been planning this EV for so long I’ve not even started yet! But glad to see you’ve taken it in small stages and are just plodding along! 18650s aren’t as dangerous as made out, they just need a bit of extra care.
Good luck with the business and I will keep checking back to see your progress!
Tom
Well done, at last some progress. I have been waiting for this moment and the next big step - how to select gears while driving the car! My Roadster has been sitting, idle for over one year now because my computer helper has walk away from the job ... in the too hard basket. I did get some information from a guy in Holland who told me how to manually select third gear. He drives everywhere in that gear, but then again Holland is very flat! Michael.
ReplyDeleteHi Paul,I think i know you from theroadster forum. Is it possible to do you a visit? regards
ReplyDeleteHad a flash of inspiration and found your video to see that you have already had similar inspiration. Hows it going now? Hope you've found reasonable batteries etc....Gareth
ReplyDeleteHi can you include links to each component or makes and models you've used? I have built an ebike but some of this is new to me. Fascinated by this project and very tempted to replicate.
ReplyDeleteHi Paul it's great job by the way could you let me know how to build battrie like this oñe and what is changing time and how far will go on full charge one time thanks
ReplyDeleteI want to buy. Can u pls tell me the cost
ReplyDeleteI want to convert on my old car. Maruti wagonR. Can u chk we can usein taht or not.
Nearly all the parts were second hand and in total cost me about £2500, if everything was new it would have been at least £5000. It really depends what capacity of battery you put in.
DeleteAlmost any car can be converted, it just depends how big motor can fit in the space of the old engine. Good luck. Paul
Hey Paul, great project! Is there any news?
ReplyDeleteDear Paul, nice project, i have very similar "dream". Is it possible to visit you in England and see your EV? May be, You help me with decisions.
ReplyDeleteBohumil
Bohumil Horqak ...bohumil.horak@seznam.cz
ReplyDeletethe loan company that grants me loan of 5,000,000.00 USD When other loan investors have neglected my offer but mr benjamin lee granted me success loan.they are into directly in loan financing and project in terms of investment. they provide financing solutions to companies and individuals seeking access to capital markets funds, they can help you fund your project or expand your business.. Email Contact:::: Also 247officedept@gmail.com or Write on whatsapp Number on +1-(989-394-3740)
ReplyDeletehi paul can you pls tell me what electric motor and control i have to use? thx
ReplyDeleteHi, you are my hero! Smart roadster is my dream car and the fact that you show us how to do a conversion... makes me think that in the near future I wiuld be actually able to fulfill it. Thank you for your patience, efforts and sharing! Cheers. MrT
ReplyDeleteThe point of his character should be that he’s the normal one. รถมือสองราคาถูก
ReplyDeleteAny recent updates on this project Paul?
ReplyDelete