RE: Electric MX-3

[clunet]

Wow, just found this on ebay, an electric MX-3, impressive conversion!

Tim

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ELECTRIC ... 564wt_1165

[Redline322]

Clean install, good work. Range could be more if he put the car on a diet though, I see alot of unnecessary weight and accessories.

[Josh]

This guy was on the forum some time ago, I was anticipating a WL of this. Would have been nice. Looks great! though only being able to drive 45 miles would suck.

[Inodoro Pereyra]

First, I'd like to know how much that car weighs. Batteries are heavy, and, like Redline said, there's a lot of useless crap still in it.
Second, I don't see it as a good install. An electric car with the tranny still on?
And finally, 40-45 mile range? That makes it, at best, a cute toy. And for a grand there are many more interesting toys you can buy.

Of couse, those who know me, already know what I think about electric cars, especially converted ones, so...

[Evo_Spec]

I'm sure he kept in all the stuff to keep the car feeling stock or comfortable but i do agree that it could use a diet but also 40 miles would get me to work and back about 3 times, that's all i'd need.

[Redline322]

I'd be concerned about reserve time and how they would handle deep cycling. He is using 18 x 8v batteries, the larger amount of batteries and running at 144v should help, but i'd feel safer with AGM batteries instead. He cleaned up the look under the hood to make the electronics look less like a maze, but there is alot of extra weight on that car that is purely unnecessary. If he switched to manual windows, taken the back seat out and smaller low drag mirrors or even a lexan hatch would save him a few hundred pounds and skinnier tires would help as well. With a few small changes, I'm pretty sure someone could easily get an extra 5-10 miles out of it.

[Surgeonasst222]

I'd be concerned about reserve time and how they would handle deep cycling. He is using 18 x 8v batteries, the larger amount of batteries and running at 144v should help, but i'd feel safer with AGM batteries instead. He cleaned up the look under the hood to make the electronics look less like a maze, but there is alot of extra weight on that car that is purely unnecessary. If he switched to manual windows, taken the back seat out and smaller low drag mirrors or even a lexan hatch would save him a few hundred pounds and skinnier tires would help as well. With a few small changes, I'm pretty sure someone could easily get an extra 5-10 miles out of it.

Bet the guy thought about this and said screw that for 5-10 miles more.... If 40 is all I need y rip it all apart

[wytbishop]

I think it's totally awesome. I've seen several conversions that retained the stock manual transmission. It's really just up to the preference of the owner. Some do, some don't.

One of the biggest issues when converting is battery efficiency vs. cost. Good batteries are very expensive, cheaper batteries are heavy and don't cycle as well. Obviously you would like to use Lithium batteries because they're way way smaller, lighter and efficient, but so so expensive. Even AGM batteries are very expensive.

I'd be inclined to keep as many of the comforts of the stock vehicle as possible so long as I could maintain enough range to do my daily driving. Most people only do 50km (30mi) a day so I figure he did a great job.

[Surgeonasst222]

36 miles one way for me... Then I could plug it in work my 12 hour shift and make work pay for my gas :megreen:

[Josh]

It is a tremendous job! Going up to lithium batteries is the difference between a few hundred dollars to more than 5K USD. It is very common to retain the stock system including the trans, the ATX is the easiest to use and work with. there are many conversions out there with the ATX. because of the gearing it helps with the battery life. This is awesome, I am just disappointed in the the mileage. but then again a new Testla only lasts for 3 hours max life, and most reviews say it is really closer to 2.5 hours.

If I were to do something like this I would use an ATX as well. it simplifies things.

[Nd4SpdSe]

As far as I know and read, ATX is harder to compliment (requiring an ECU to control it) and requires constant power to drive the hydraulics.

[Josh]

As far as I know and read, ATX is harder to compliment (requiring an ECU to control it) and requires constant power to drive the hydraulics.

That is why in the MX it is easier. the ATX has a completely separate controller.