Re: CRX Conversion

[Henry Deaton <hdeaton@VERIO.COM>]

Hi Jeremy,

You'll probably get a lot of good feedback on your conversion ideas from
this list. I've always thought a CRX would make a fun conversion, but I
want to point out that for an EV conversion 50 miles is actually a pretty
good range. You can probably get that if you optimize your conversion for
range, but if you want a light, sporty conversion then a range of 30-40
miles is more likely.

Having said that, using one of the bigger sealed 12-volt batteries will
give you a good compromise between range and performance in a 144-volt
system. Two new developments you'll want to check on. First, at the Hawker
Genesis web site they have preliminary specifications for a new battery,
the G70EP: a 70ah, 55lb. Also, there has been mention on this list of a new
group 31 Optima, bigger than a YT and possibily coming out later this year.
Another option is Champion, which make a larger-than-Optima-YT
valve-regulated sealed lead-acid batteries and which Gary Flo at
InnEVations has used successfully. The Champions are also cheaper than the
Optimas. I'd stick to Optimas or Genesis batteries if performance is
paramount, but the Champions are a good compromise.

BTW, an Optima YT is rated at 52ah at the 2 hr rate, 65 ah at the 20 hr rate.

Be sure and check the Optima and Hawker Genesis web sites:
http://www.optimabatteries.com/index.htm and http://www.hepi.com/

If you're on a budget your best bet would be the 8-volt flooded batteries
available from Trojan and U.S. Batteries. Personally, after having a couple
of EVs with flooded batteries and dealing with the watering and corrosion,
my next EV will have sealed batteries.

Oh, another point of information. The H2 Zappi controllers do regen just
fine but they'd limit you to 120 volts. It's the older H3's that gave
people fits.

Good luck with your project.

Henry Deaton
SF, CA






Re: CRX Conversion                                                           R