http://www.dunebuggyarchives.com/forum/forum.pl Latest forum posts 2011-03-07T09:40:00Z mwForum http://www.dunebuggyarchives.com/forum/topic_show.pl?pid=21031 Dan N 2631 2011-03-07T09:37:36Z 2011-03-07T09:37:36Z 4
May I suggest you contact the local Electric Automobile Assn (EAA)   in your area.  Were a bunch of electric car experimenters not unlike the AARL (Ham Radio) folks.  If you'd like to see this months national newsletter please feel free to e mail me and I'll send you a PDF file.  Lot's of great technical information
scattered throughout. ]]> http://www.dunebuggyarchives.com/forum/topic_show.pl?pid=14034 Sandsurfer 2009-12-18T23:01:03Z 2009-12-18T23:20:06Z 4 Paul, It cost Dave about $7500 not including the car to convert the GEO there is however a rebate from the government. ]]> http://www.dunebuggyarchives.com/forum/topic_show.pl?pid=14029 ManxRob 2009-12-18T17:45:21Z 2009-12-18T17:45:21Z 4 http://www.megawattmotorworks.com/display.asp?dismode=article&artid=180

Rob]]> http://www.dunebuggyarchives.com/forum/topic_show.pl?pid=14027 Jeff GS 2009-12-18T17:14:06Z 2009-12-18T17:14:06Z 4
Lately I've found myself very interested in electric vehicles, like just over the last week or 2.  It partially might have come from recently watching the show - Who Killed the Electric Car?  For whatever reason I've become a lot more aware of the "drug dealer" like connection the Big Oil companies have with all us normal "junkie" consumers that are heavily addicted to what they're "dealing"!  The fact that they have one hand in each of our wallet pockets... steadily siphoning out our hard earned $$$$ just doesn't sit to well!!!

I've long had a passing interested in the EV concept - but "realistic" operating ranges and performance has until just lately been the realm of high dollar exotics and uber-expensive prototypes.  So I've been doing a lot of reading up on what the current "home builder" technology level is.  It seems not only are there going to be at least a couple of factory built all electric models coming out in 2010-2011, but likely many more in the next few years.  What is exciting is the grass roots level of involvement is much larger and more advanced than I imagined - with LOTS of EVs (conversions) running out there right now.  Not only that, but what was unobtanium exotic in motor and battery technology just a few years ago is actually getting affordable now, with the promise of getting much more affordable when electrics start becoming more mainstream.

Huge learning curve though - what with all the various motors, controllers and especially battery technology out there now.  It takes a while to digest!

I was thinking more along the lines of a daily "commuter" car as my work commute would be ideal for such a current technology vehicle.  OTOH, an electric buggy, in the right setting, would be a lot of fun too!  I don't see why one couldn't pack the areas of rear seat, front fuel tank and around the engine with the necessary batteries.  With the promise of overall lightness, I can only imagine you could put together a real Hot Rod if you wanted!

Jeff]]> http://www.dunebuggyarchives.com/forum/topic_show.pl?pid=14025 Paul Moran 2009-12-18T03:37:26Z 2009-12-18T03:37:26Z 4 Electric Cars of Springfield in Missouri where a bug was featured. Why not a buggy?  I remember hearing that one of our members knows someone with an electric buggy - could you point him to this board?

Here's what I'm thinking - new Imp box, custom frame with enough lift in the passenger area to fit the batteries under the floor (like a hinged double bottom so the batteries would be services from below the vehicle.

For the motor - I'm picturing one of the new dual shaft (shaft sticks out both sides) where the transaxle normally goes.  Toss the engine cover over the back and no one would know its electric.

I did some quick calculations earlier and it didn't seem possible to do a direct drive with a 27.5" diameter tire.  Anyone looked into the math on this? 

Paul...]]>