You will find articles organized by categories, along with recent comments, along the right hand column of the website. If you are just getting started with the idea of converting a gas car to electric be sure to check out Your First Electric Car .
Welcome and enjoy!
-Jerry
EV Batteries · 29 September 05
Now that the engine and most of the extra parts are out of Eve I’m starting to think about next steps. Right at the top of the list is figuring out what kind of batteries to use, how many, and where to put all of them.
On the first EV I went with lead acid and the more that I look into the types (and prices) of batteries these days the more I’m starting to think that I’ll be using lead acid again.
Or will I?
A Tale of Hope · 23 September 05
Once upon a time there lived a greasy, noisy ogre that hid in the dank, dark recesses of nice automobiles. People wandering by might not notice the ogre, but when the ogre awoke there was no ignoring the sound and smell that belched forth.
Engine Removal · 21 September 05
First off an obligatory dog shot to kick off the entry.
When things go haywire and don’t turn out the way you expect it is good to sit back, relax, look at a goofy dog photo (or a live goofy dog if one is available) and make peace with the Universe.
Failing that there’s always the 5lb sledge…
Too Tight · 19 September 05
Hey, how about that pile-o-parts? We’re talking some serious mound of greasy metal and rubber accumulating on the side of the garage.
Eve has been shedding unsightly pounds.
Good progress on removing things Sunday night, but hit a roadblock as well…
The Knuckle Gods Are Pleased · 16 September 05
Remember when I mentioned how much fun it is to tear things apart?
I’m an idiot.
Well, actually, I have smoothing algorithm in my brain that takes the hard edges off of bad memories, casting them in a rosy, warm glow of fond nostalgia. I realized this last night when I looked down to see bright red blood oozing from otherwise oily black hands. Oh, right, this…
Still, it’s kinda fun.
Let’s cover what happened on day two of deconstruction…
Day One: Toxic Avenger · 15 September 05
In the middle of working on Eve last night, with oil sluggishly draining into a container under the car, another vat glowing sickly green below the radiator, and gas fumes wafting through the air, I started to think (or hallucinate) that maybe Eve should have an alter ego:
Toxic Avenger!
Day one went pretty well, although messy. Let’s see what damage I have done…
Eve of Deconstruction · 14 September 05
I’ve always loved taking things apart. Putting things back together…well, if you insist.
But the real fun is in the disassembly. There’s nothing quite like cracking something open for the first time and discovering how it works, finding the clever engineering (or not-so clever), and marveling at all of the forces that must have gone into designing, manufacturing, assembling and bringing it together into one unit.
Which is why tonight should be a blast. Tonight I pop off Eve’s hood, drain the oil and anti-freeze, siphon off the gas and start the meticulous task of removing everything that isn’t needed in an EV.
Engine Cleanup · 8 September 05
We’ve registered and licensed Eve, which is kind of a waste since she’ll soon be off the road for the rest of Winter. But this time I want to make sure that I take care of all of the prep-work before ripping things apart.