VIDEO: Hank and Joe, the electric car guys
While you're probably familiar with NPR's Click & Clack, who host a show about cars and car repair, they're not the only game in town. Hank and Joe's YouTube productions may lack the polish and luster that the other car guys can manage with their high-falutin' public radio budget, but what they lack in production value they make up for with originality and earnestness.
The duo converted a 1973 Volkswagen Bug to run on electricity and made a video to show off their creation and perhaps inspire others to undertake similar projects. At the end of that first effort they even asked folks to email in any questions they might have. After receiving a flood of responses, they went back outside with the their trusty camera and made a couple more videos answering some of the queries. Additionally, they gave a more detailed look at the handiwork that went into the evoltswagen. After seeing how simple it seems to be, we're tempted to give it a go ourselves. Check out their inspirational trilogy after the jump.
[Source: YouTube]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Richard 8:21PM (7/12/2008)
Can you go faster if you changed gears? It seams that the to go through all that trouble you'd want to go faster than 60mph. Did the $3700 conversion cost include everything, or were there other costs?
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Lad 11:10PM (7/12/2008)
Nice conversion to a city car; the installation looks very neatly done and will designed.
As pointed out in the piece, this wouldn't do as a long distance daily driver; however, with modifications to the electronics and using Li Ion batteries, it might someday be a very practical car.
I have need thinking (or is that dreaming?) for sometime now of converting a Datsun 240Z track car to electric drive; but haven't gotten much pass the design stage because of the costs of high performance electrical components...maybe some day!
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Matthijs 10:40AM (7/13/2008)
I really liked Hank and Joe's video's on the conversion.
Now I am also following the conversion of Kearon de Clouet. He is Converting a Ford Capri with Litium Ion battery's. The video's are really funny because he is REALLY not a mechanic! (Like me) See him almost kill himself getting the petrol out of the tank.
Episode 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKCv8JP3Ph4
Episode 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDIjGiZZ6fw (Love this one, with the fuel tank)
Episode 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6SB2nd5SNM
(Also very funny)
I just love people who do their own conversions.
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Matthijs 10:41AM (7/13/2008)
He also made a website: http://evcapri.com/
Youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/makinnoizemedia
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T2 11:26AM (7/13/2008)
Chosen for its iconic shape, no doubt, this vehicle follows in a line of other similar successful conversions.
However for a technical reason this chassis is probably not the best choice for an EV conversion. You will observe the electric motor is mounted longitudinally in place of the flat four boxer style engine. The disadvantage is in the hypoid gearing needed to turn the power through 90 degrees for the wheel axis. This mechanism incurs a 30% transmission loss. A reason for the decline in popularity of RWD powertrains when a designer's goal is to improve on fuel economy. I have, though, seen a civic transmission used in its place but obviously that takes more time and equipment than most would want to spend.
The other disadvantage is that VW gearboxes don't like to see input speeds approaching 6000rpm. They become quite noisy.
Removing the unused 3rd and 4th gears and refilling with ATF lubricant, permissible because of lower loading may be also be done to reduce losses.
T2
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joe dupont 12:01PM (7/13/2008)
what is the battery life?
why not build a windmill to charge the battery
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T2 12:05PM (7/13/2008)
Chosen for its iconic shape, no doubt, this vehicle follows in a line of other similar successful conversions.
However for a technical reason this chassis is probably not the best choice for an EV conversion. You will observe the electric motor is mounted longitudinally in place of the flat four boxer style engine. The disadvantage is in the hypoid gearing needed to turn the power through 90 degrees for the wheel axis. This mechanism incurs a 30% transmission loss. A reason for the decline in popularity of RWD powertrains when a designer's goal is to improve on fuel economy. I have, though, seen a civic transmission used in its place but obviously that takes more time and equipment than most would want to spend.
The other disadvantage is that VW gearboxes don't like to see input speeds approaching 6000rpm. They become quite noisy.
Removing the unused 3rd and 4th gears and refilling with ATF lubricant, permissible because of lower loading, may be also be done to reduce losses.
T2
Reply
DJL 5:43PM (7/13/2008)
FWIW-
Fiero's and MR2s are RWD and have transverse drivetrains like a typical FWD car.
StCredZero 9:27AM (7/31/2008)
60 mph is fast enough for my commute. The range is a bit low, however.
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T2 10:30PM (7/13/2008)
My apologies, my post seemed to have got in twice. On inputting it asked me to click on a verifying Email. That's too much trouble so I just retyped my email address and password and retried. I was successful. Then returning hours later and there's a double posting ??
-DJL thanks for the RWD info.
Actually though, would the Fiero with its unusual riveted construction be strong enough to support a battery box?
Meanwhile I just found this for any budding EV'er out there.
http://www.azuredynamics.com/products/force-drive/documents/AC24_DMOC445ProductSheet.pdf
Today Azure specialises more in the larger Ford delivery van hybrids. This link shows the AC motor/controller and optional transmission box they designed for FWD compact cars about seven years ago and is now made available for sale. Their gearbox is already custom tailored for the AC24 induction motor accepting input speeds to 11,000rpm while providing a 10 : 1 stepdown ratio with an integral differential for direct coupling to the existing half shafts out to the wheels. That's exactly the kind of efficient set up you need.
T2
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ed lewis 6:52AM (8/29/2008)
See my conversion of a Fiero.
The only thing "riveted" on a Fiero is the Skin panels.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g43zUDP9sl8
Joe (Hank and Joe) 3:59PM (7/27/2008)
Answer to question about shifting:
Although we start out in 2nd gear. As we drive we use all the gears to achieve overall longer travel distance. We shift on the fly without a clutch. This is a daily driver for around the town. Our top speed is just over 55 MPH. We have a back up alarm wired into the back up light circuit so people know we are pulling out of a parking spot beacuse the car is essentially noiseless when just moving slowly.
We are to happy to provide any technical information to any interested party, just ask!
Joe of Hannk and Joe "The Electric Car Guys"
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Joe (Hank and Joe) 4:41PM (7/27/2008)
More questions answered:
The $3,700 conversion cost included everything except the vehicle of course. We know that we can shave $1000.00 off on our second vehicle. (learn from mistakes)
The Battery life is about 2.5 years. We anticipate a much better L-ion battery by that time which would increase all areas of perfomance such as range, speed and longevity.
A windmill would be great if we had the space. In now cost us about 2 cents per mile using a conventional plug in the wall charger!
Once again please ask questions!!! Thats why we did it!
We are always looking for a donor vehicle lets us know!
Joe (Hank and Joe - "The Electric Car Guys")
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