Re: Production EVs

[Thomas Shay <tshay@ix.netcom.com>]

> bdube@boulder.nist.gov (Bill Dube') writes:
>
> >    I can easily lock up all four wheels on my Wabbit with the brakes. I
> >can't stop the car from moving forward using the brakes even at part
> >throttle if the car is in 2nd gear. If I put on the parking brake with both
> >hands, the motor will turn the front wheels, and because there is more
> >weight on the front wheels, the back wheels will be locked, but will drag
> >forward, even at part throttle.

  I've been puzzling over why the brakes on Bill Dube's Wabbitcan't stop the
motor and those on my Ranger pickup easily can.

One factor must be that the intended gross weight of a Ranger
is about double that of a Rabbit and that the braking capacity
would therefore be about double.

Also if I remember right, his controller current limit is 800 amps
while my Ranger's is only 500 amps.

Brake capacity adequate to stop the motor might be something
to think about for anyone planning to make a high
performance EV from a compact car with tiny brakes or anyone
who already has one.

Tom Shay 1983 Ranger pickup converted in 1996