Welcome to the performance electric zone
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This is the ongoing progress of Performance EV conversion projects,
both 2 and 4 wheel types.
The transformation is complete, the BMW electric is now on the road with excellent results
Still in the software parameter refinement mode but despite the final tuning with this 100kW inverter, it is fast and efficient, with seemingly little effort because of the lack of noise.
I am up to 600 miles of pure electric driving as of June 16
I hope that sharing this detail will help encourage others to go electric by showing what is available and possible.
We are approaching an era of high performance with little environmental impact. You can now expect more from pure electric vehicles, both on and off road...
These two conversion projects (the BMW and the motocross bike) are being done for different reasons but with the common intent to meet or exceed their original gas performance.
In the case of the BMW, elimination of fuel use and it's emissions was the goal but without sacrifice of performance OR economy.
In the case of the CRF off road bike project, noise reduction was one of the original motivations,
as well as being a great design/testing platform for EV development in general.
Since there is not that much fuel used by most riders relatively speaking, reducing fuel use in bikes is less important. But on the other hand, just getting to a riding area at $3-$4/gallon is significant.
This will now allow riding in high density areas, indoors and outdoors, creating many more riding opportunities. Nothing left to complain about. Indoor riding arena's could now be heated or cooled for the first time, not needing to continuously exchange a high volume of outside air.
It turns out that both have many other side benefits from the electric drive system that makes the outcome even more dramatic.
Most recent activity/update on top:
Click on images to view full size or follow link
June 16, 2010To ensure things are working as planned, it is imperitive that I confirm all the details directly. In this case, pack voltage and current are logged with an oscilloscope to be viewed and analyzed -->
This Interior control panel gives me visibility of status and override controls for initial use Another view of complete Air Conditioning system |
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June 15, 2010The BMWe is driven 40-45 miles daily now with excellent behavior. It's quiet torque makes it difficult to hold the speed below 65MPH! |
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April 20, 2010Success happened! I have driven it out of the shop I have a pile of photos to post on nearly all topics The charger is programmed and fully automatic now. I will add more detail soon... Working on a project summary that will itemize the most useful materials and tools that I used |
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April 6, 2010
The final prep before dropping in the pack Turn on process happening soon.. |
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March 30, 2010The drive system if finally complete: The Inverter is now installed--> I will post the pack installation next |
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Feb 21, 2010BMW project update:
During the wait for the Inverter, other things have been getting finished and refined. I added a new page for all the "other" things --> |
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Jan 26 , 2010Electric motocross bike update --> Regarding the BMW progress, there was another delay in the Inverter delivery due to a technical issue, which has now been identified and is being resolved. I will post update when the Inverter arrives. |
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Jan 1 , 2010On the home stretch now, just a week or two for the final component delivery... a 100kW Inverter sponsorship from Rinehart Motion Systems. I have witnessed the motor spinning on the bench and am ready to drop it into the BMW soon. Otherwise, the vehicle is ready to roll! The flywheel replacement is complete--> Battery pack removal/installation process Charger port source selection relay Contactor/Fuse/power distribution box complete Power steering pump mounting complete |
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Nov 08 , 2009 |
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Oct 25 , 2009
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Aug 4 , 2009CRF2eR update, now with video action Things are looking up with inverter software Pack construction is in the final stretch Battery Box construction progress |
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May 18, 2009Battery modules are in the motor compartment --> My excess of good luck is now pushing back towards the center: The inverter drive unit is still not functional! The company we purchased them from is "resetting" and has promised to eventually deliver. I will boldly post the outcome so you will know weather or not to steer clear of this company. |
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March 14, 2009 |
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January 02, 2009
Mechanical drive train complete Drive motor is now sitting on it's isolation pads --> |
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October 20, 2008The motor is mounted to the transmission and placed in position.. --> |
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September 21, 2008The motor returns, the results are good. The drive train is on the final stretch. --> The CRF2eR is going together with the new custom components Steady progress with the BMS, next update I will have something to show for it... The "nose is to the grind wheel" |
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August 15, 2008A progress update: BMS development: Delivered 2 Li Ion packs to university programs 1. OSU solar vehicle battery pack and, 2. University of Vermont for their hot AERO car I am nearing completion of the 2nd rev BMS board that will update the current BMS installations as well as go into the BMW pack modules, soon to be ready. CRF2eR: Weight loss program nearing completion We have been preparing battery packs and misc HW while waiting for deliveries from CNC mfg shops. The last items have just arrived and will assembled soon to allow our testing to resume.
BMW project: Nearly all sections updated The motor delivery is running behind and I will update the motor page as soon as it arrives. |
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June 23, 2008The final EV component: The 200kW inverter arrives The fit is immediately checked with great results --> |
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June 07, 2008Mounting the motor to the transmission --> Mounting of the charger and it's new thermal mate, the air conditioning compressor motor drive The new home for the DC/DC converter is discussed A breakthrough in the fitting of the Inverter The locations are nailed down for 3 more of the 10 EV components I am working on the BMS circuit board assembly process, soon to power it up... |
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May 19, 2008The motor has arrived and helped get the BMW project back in motion.
Took a break and ran the annual Pole Pedal Paddle race at Mt Bachelor last weekend. Mini Slide show |
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May 9, 2008Battery Management system and general update This has been dominating my PC display lately--> Regarding the BMW, I am picking up the motor in mere days and I am told next week the Inverter will ship... Added some more detail on the battery range discussion in the previous update from Mar 8 2008 |
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Mar 8, 2008Progress update - a new look More details described about the drive system Answers to the most common forum questions |
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Feb 24 , 2008The testing has confirmed our assumptions and expectations about the performance of this machine Here are some action photos-->
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Feb 16 , 2008The first prototype rolls out on its own power... The testing begins with a great start. Here are some images of the final prep -->
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Feb 02 , 2008Still a few weeks away from delivery of the BMW motor/drive system... So we are busy with the final work needed to officially test the CRF2eX performance to verify the full current capability. Here is what we have been doing for the last couple months --> |
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Dec 22 , 2007Added a new links page with related technical articles in addition to the original EV conversion links. |
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Dec 15 , 2007We are busy with construction of the battery boxes and mounting of the motor control in the CRF2eX. The motor and drive system is nearly complete |
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Dec 14, 2007Some new equipment arrives
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Nov 20, 2007The first of the BMW EV components arrive |
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