Re: AC to DC drive

[Mason Convey <opossum@asu.edu>]

+ I believe the USE S-10 conversions did *not* use an automatic
transmission.
+ The one's I've seen have a kludgey center console that houses the gear
+ selector, whereas AT S-10s (and GM EV S-10s) have column shifter.
------------------
No, I don't think it did have a tranny. I think it's just a gear box.
But I do think the column shifter is utilized as the selector.
------------------
+ You may be able to retrofit a standard 5-speed transmission for not
+ too many $$.
------------------
...that's what I'm hoping to find out. My fingers are crossed!
------------------
+ Finally, a few months ago someone on the list was closing out a bunch of
old
+ USE inventory, including a couple of drive systems. You might still be
able
+ to get a working one. This system is kind of pokey (60 kW), but nicely
put
+ together.
------------------
>From what I have been able to find out about the truck, USE had
intermittant problems with the AC drive system in general, which
resulted in sudden system failures. I understand they never did get it
to work right. At the moment it sits (as an APS fleet vehicle) unused
and untouched (except for my poking hands). There are two problems I
see with keeping the AC. One, it may well never work at all. If USE
can't get it running right, I don't think I would fare any better.
Two, it's a tad expensive. I would be much happier (low on the
stress-o-meter) with a 'simple' DC system and T-125s for example.
---------------
+ The weakest part of these trucks were the batteries. They had strings of
+ unregulated Hawkers sitting in a big box which straddled the drive shaft
+ under the cab and bed. It might be a good idea to replace these with
+ floodeds or regulated sealed batteries.
--------------
Yes, if I were to go DC, I would likely settle for a large bundle of
floodeds. But are you also saying that there were problems with the
box itself? I like the fact that it sits UNDER the bed, thus lowering
the center of gravity and allowing bed space. I was thinking of adding
hinges to the bed for easy access to the pack, a-la Solectria's
trucks.

Thanks for the words of wisdom, Frank, Lee...
Any further comments are much appreciated.

            +--- + --- opossum --- + ---+

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|                   Mason S. Convey                   |
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