Electric 6 wheeler?

[JRP3]

Got an email from the guy in the videos, he's still got it. It's just running with an on/off contactor at the moment, no controller, though he does have a Curtis for it. He's got it geared way down so he doesn't kill himself since there is no speed control It's using a GE motor from an old Elec-Trac riding mower.

eBay Motors: Amphicat amphibious 6x6 AATV (electric conversion) (item 290165756771 end time Oct-08-07 22:41:02 PDT)

[mudslinger]

That is just too cool. With all the hybrid technology out there I am surprised that someone hasn't come up with a hybrid AATV, you could pivot steer it if you had two motors, one for each side, and regen for when you are going down hill, saving the brakes, and put a really small engine in it to recharge the batteries when needed, or just skip the engine and put in more batteries, especially lithium ion.

[JRP3]

I don't think a hybrid AATV would be worth doing. The nice thing about all electric is you don't have to carry around a gas motor and gas tank and use the room for extra batteries. With lithiums you could even make the pack or packs removable and swap in charged ones like a cordless drill, but I think there is enough room to just carry enough batteries to run as much as you want. The electric Attex claimed 4 hours run time, that sounds like more than enough for most people, and that was with lead acid batteries.
I suppose the ideal setup for motors would be 6 small AC motors, one for each wheel. Then you eliminate all the chains and gears and have built in regen braking. Wouldn't be cheap though

[salamander]

try a search

Brushless DC Waterproof Hub Motor... maybe email these guys; they have lots of new tech electric motors and batteries: http://www.goldenmotor.com/

[JRP3]

Yeah, waterproof hub motors would be the way to go if I had the cash, and the time to engineer it all. You could have independent suspension without having to use axles and cv joints. Might even be able to use a lever/swing arm setup that moves parallel to the body to help keep the wheels tucked in close. As it is I'm still looking for one motor that I can afford, not to mention the AATV itself All I've got so far is a dream

[liflod]

I have a mostly complete Sidewinder 6x6 that would be a good start for your electric 6x6. The sidewinder looks a lot like a Scrambler, but the whole tub is accessible by lifting the rear seat. It is not worth the effort to restore, but its a great building block for a custom machine.

Lance

[JRP3]

I did some quick research on sidewinders, it's a fiberglass body right? What kind of shape? Is the driveline all there? Bearings, etc? Does it have a T-20?

[liflod]

Old style Sidewinder had a clutch/ brake system similar to a Scrambler. It had a fwd/reverse transmission but not now. The axles,chains,bearings, clutches and all are there. Missing the engine ,fwd/rev trans and the tires are shot. The fiberglass body is pretty good. No major holes. I'll post some pictures if I can find them.

[JRP3]

I just noticed you're in Pittsburgh PA, over 6 hours away from me. I only have access to a truck that I can borrow for a few hours, couldn't do a 12+ hour round trip.

[JRP3]

First piece of the puzzle is on it's way! A 7.5 inch Jim Husted HiTorqueElectric.com special.

[Mike]

Awesome, this will be an interesting build to watch. Keep us updated.

[Beeman]

I don't think a hybrid AATV would be worth doing. The nice thing about all electric is you don't have to carry around a gas motor and gas tank and use the room for extra batteries.

Even if you built it all battery and such, if you find your time running short you could always add a little gas gen in the back bringing the status back to hybrid :P

Keep us posted!!

[JRP3]

I'm really psyched to get started on this project and once the motor is in my sweaty little hands I'll really be jonesing for a 6x6 to work on. I'm thinking maybe I'll expand my options and include a running vehicle in my searches with the hope of recouping some cost by selling the motor if it's in good shape. I didn't think it would be that hard to find something in my area and I don't have the time or means to drive all over the country to look at something that may or may not be what I want. So I'll have a higher initial outlay but probably a vehicle in better overall shape to start with. Of course the other problem is if I have a running vehicle I'll probably want to play with it. One of life's little dilemmas I guess

[JRP3]

A question on the T-20, is there any gear reduction in it or is it just 1:1? I'm trying to get an idea of what sort of gearing I need. Also, is there any gear reduction from the T-20 drive gears to the axle driven gears, or is that also 1:1?

Oh, I think I'll call this project either the AMP-phibian or the Amphibrillator

[courtney]

the one on ebay

did that guy say if he still wanted to sell that one? and did he ever indicate how much he was trying to get for it? i might buy it
i think that is really cool

i woul not sell my gas one but i can replace batteries a lot easier than i can work on these motors, etc!
i know i can swap batteries out!!