Today, many consumers decide to own, use, and build electric car because of the rising cost of gas for vehicles. Using electric cars are more efficient and less expensive in the long run. Many of these electric vehicles are home-made conversions. Car owners that have an interest in electric cars convert their existing gasoline-operated vehicles to electric cars.
Build Electric Car
Building your own electric automobile is not as difficult as creating a new car. It is simply converting a gas-powered vehicle into an electric-powered car. One does not need to be a professional mechanic to build electric car. This job is easy and can be accomplished after a few days of work. Check out a kid’s remote-controlled car toys. An electric car looks exactly like that but only on a bigger scale.
Today, there are many resources available that can help you work and understand the process of converting a gas-powered car into an electric-powered car. There are many online sites that discuss this new car technology and at the same time show you how to build electric car. Read on and learn some basic steps on how to build electric car.
Things to Consider If You Want to Build Electric Car
The first thing to consider in creating an electric car is to decide what type of automobile you want to convert into an electric car. You need to have a donor vehicle that becomes the platform of your conversion. Usually, it is best to use a smaller car. However, bigger vehicles can also be used. Another thing to consider is the efficiency of using vehicles that have four and five speed transmissions. Mostly, donor automobiles have manual transmissions.
Another thing that needs consideration when you build electric car is the vehicle’s total weight after the modifications has been made. After the conversion process, the additional systems can add 200 to 500 pounds to the existing weight of the vehicle. Hence, when choosing the vehicle you want to convert into an electric car, make sure that the car’s total weight after the conversion is at a reasonable amount.
Typically, car conversions use a DC motor and a DC controller. Thus, the person performing the conversion also needs to consider how much voltage the system will use. Usually, an electric car runs between 96 up to 192 volts. The amount of voltage that will be use determines the number of batteries that the car needs. It also determines the type of motor and controller that the vehicle uses.
Air conditioning and power steering are optional and not commonly used in building electric car. However, for those who want to use them for the electric car, it requires an extra motor for the power steering pump. On the other hand, air conditioning drags down the batteries. Nevertheless, using a special magnet method to hook up the air conditioning makes the compressor work.
There is a wide variety of choices for batteries used for the conversion process. Majority of these conversions utilize lead-acid batteries. This battery technology comes with various options that include Golf car batteries, Marine deep-cycled batteries, and Flooded batteries.
After taking into consideration the type of motor, batteries, and controller that will be used to build electric car, the conversion process can then take place.
Steps on How to Build Electric Car
To start with the conversion process, you will need the following equipment listed below. Bear in mind also that the welding and hoists tools can always be rented if necessary.
• Basic tool kit – socket set, wrenches, screw drivers, and etc.
• Work space area and bench
• Small grinder
• An engine hoist
• Welding equipment
• An aspiration to help the environment
1. Remove the gas tank, engine, clutch, radiator, and the exhaust from the donor automobile.
2. Install an adapter plate to the vehicle’s transmission and mount its motor. Usually it is required to do custom mounting brackets.
3. For maximum efficiency, the electric motor requires a gear reduction. The simplest way to create a gear reduction is through pinning the present manual transmission in either first or second gears. Creating a gear reduction can minimize putting extra weight to the electric car. However, doing so is just a bit pricey.
4. Support the controller.
5. Look for a space for all the batteries and put brackets on it for safe hold.
6. Install all the batteries into the space that has brackets around it.
7. Wire both, the battery and the motor, to the controller using a #00 gauge welding cord.
8. For a power-steering electric car, mount and wire the electric motor to the power steering pump.
9. For air-conditioned electric vehicle, wire up and mount the electric motor to the air-conditioning compressor.
10. Attach a little electric water heater or a small ceramic-material electric space heater and align it with the existing heater core.
11. For power brakes, connect a vacuum pump to the brakes to activate the brake booster.
12. Attach a charging structure.
13. Connect a DC to DC converter for the accessory battery.
14. Install a volt meter to monitor the charging status of the battery. It replaces the gas gauge.
15. Attach potentiometers to the accelerator pedal and the controller.
16. Connect also a huge relay or contactor to the battery and the controller. It turns on the electric car, carries hundreds of amps, and breaks 96 to 300 volts without a curve.
17. Rewire the ignition button, so you can turn on your new electric car.
18. Test it and the new electric car is all set to go!
Why Build Electric Car?
Build Electric Car – The Conclusion
Electric-powered vehicles are more reliable, cost-effective, and quieter compared to gas-powered automobiles. They help minimize air pollution and reduce dependence on imported oil. Petroleum is a diminishing resource. On the other hand, the modern technology is a continuous source of renewable energy. Hence, using electricity to power your car will not only help in cleaning the environment, but also help in cleaning your car. So what are you waiting for? Start now and build electric car!
