Electric 6 wheeler?

[JRP3]

Still zipping along quite well, hauling logs and stone every few weeks or so. I have some chain issues I need to deal with that I keep putting off, and more body cracks, but the electronic side has been flawless. Still have yet to do a real range test as it's not really a concern for my uses. I'm also working on an electric car conversion that's taking up my time so the old AMPhibian won't be seeing much love for a while

[JRP3]

One thing I would do differently now is I would go with a lithium battery pack. Lithium has gotten so much cheaper in the last year I could do a lighter battery pack with more range that should last 3-5 times as long for about $1000, as opposed to the $720 the lead one cost. I'm using lithium in my car conversion, $4500 worth

[Mike]

Thanks for the update.

[JRP3]

Another benefit of having an electric vehicle around, backup power. During a storm a tree took out the power line to my house. Being the last house on the line I knew I'd be the last to be fixed. So I took the batteries out of the AMPhibian and brought them in the house, hooked them up to the UPS, and was able to power my wood stove blower and computer. Batteries weren't fully charged but I ran for 4 hours with very little voltage drop, could have gone much longer. If I can figure out a cheap way to tap into the 120 volt pack in my electric car I can go for days I'll probably just get a 12VDC to 120VAC inverter and run that off of my 120VDC to 12VDC converter, though that's not the most efficient way to go.

[Mike]

Not a bad idea! Good to see you back on the site again. Do you have a buildup thread on your Fiero anywhere?

[JRP3]

Sure, here's an overview: John's 1988 Pontiac Fiero
Some video on my youtube channel: YouTube - JRP3's Channel
Pictures of components: Pictures by JRP3_photos - Photobucket
Build thread at DIY: EViero, AC31/SE100 Fiero build - DIY Electric Car Forums

[JRP3]

Some of you might be interested in this: http://www.diyelectriccar.com/forums...cle-42565.html
He's doing an electric conversion of a RaidTrac 618 tracked vehicle.

[jpswift1]

Very cool! I believe the RaidTracs were just like the PPT (Passe Par Tout, I think I might be close on the spelling). It'll be interesting to see it go.

[JRP3]

He's got the Raidtrack running and plowing snow.

[Mike]

That was awesome. I like that the loudest part was the winch.

[Scouter]

Cool

[Jedon]

I've been thinking about converting my Max II over or making a whole new vehicle. I was contemplating using either two high power golf cart motors or two forklift motors, one for each side. That way I was thinking the controls would be simple, push both sticks forward and the amount determines speed, pull them back and it reverses current and goes in reverse. At first I thought to directly connect the motors to CV joint to the axle but after reading more perhaps I need a chain or belt to change the drive ratio? My goal is to able to plow snow better so I don't need a ton of speed and weight might actually help. 9 8V golf cart batteries for 72V with 2 12V in reserve to either limp home or give me a turbo boost. I see hopped up golf cart motors getting 20HP ( continuous ) so two of those should way outperform my Kohler 23HP gasser?

[JRP3]

What you are proposing will make the build far more complicated and expensive. Two motors means two controllers, two contactors, two throttles. Series DC motors need special (expensive) reversing contactor setups, and with two motors you'd need two. Integrating smooth throttle transitions and reversing will not be easy. If you went with AC motors the reversing is easier, but AC motors and controllers are much more expensive. You will need gear reduction to get good motor to wheel speed ratios. You don't want to run around with extra batteries that aren't used, (reserve), because most of the time they'll just be sitting there making the rest of your pack work harder. Figure out how much you need and wire them all in. A single 20hp continous electric motor will far outperform a 23 hp gasser since the gasser is peak hp. 20 hp continous electric motor is really overkill for something like this unless you are building a racer and have the battery pack to support it. An electric motor is really just a power transfer agent and the power comes from the pack. The motor just has to be able to survive the pack power.

[Jedon]

I'm trying to avoid having to get something like a ASV RC50 50HP turbo diesel skid loader to plow the snow, my Max II usually gets the job done but tends to break and have not enough power or weight. I've also considered throwing a diesel in there but since I already have issues with the chains and sprockets I'm not sure that's a good idea. We got 3ft of snow this last storm and are getting 3 more feet later this week. I need to plow 2.5 miles of gravel road with a 600ft elevation change.

[JRP3]

Sounds as if you need a larger machine than a 6 wheel AATV.