914 EV Soon to Be!

Mike914 · 12-18-2006, 12:58 PM

My '74 1.8 is not stock, but it looks it with the 4-lug Fuchs under stock fenders.

[EDIT{ The car on the RoadGlue Banner could be mine if it was 4-lug, missing the side markers and had an original blue '74 plate on the bumper! } END EDIT]

So far I have added a 19mm front bar and stock rear (disconnected it again after changing the springs), increased the rear springs to 165 progressives and the front bars to 22mm. I've added adjustable Koni's all 'round and it was running 205-65 15 AVS's in the rear, with 205-50 in front. Front hubs have been replaced with Mueller's alloy 4 lugs and brakes have been upgraded to 19mm master, M calipers in front stock in back. I'm in the process of adding vented rotors in back as we speak... All the spring/bar and brake upgrades are intended to offset the additional mass of 12 12V AGM batteries. I will have 4 batteries on each side of the motor and 4 where the fuel tank was. Controller fits nicely in the rear trunk, along with the Targa top, charger may live in the front trunk above the spare tire, or in the rear trunk beside the controller. I'm planning on ordering a dozen voltage regulators to complement the Manzanita Micro charger and to keep the batteries alive. I have already received the AC24 motor and Azure 3-phase controller. I'm still waiting for the transmission adapter plate and motor mounts before proceeding with the fabrication of the rear battery racks, but I finished the front trunk rack. Now if only the rest of the parts would show!

Mueller · 12-18-2006, 07:00 PM

hey Mike,

how did you choose what electronics to use for your conversion?

are you going with a "kit"??

Anthony · 12-18-2006, 07:27 PM

I'm curious what the range will be with 12 batteries.

Mike914 · 12-22-2006, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mueller

hey Mike,

how did you choose what electronics to use for your conversion?

are you going with a "kit"??

It's a kit,

from ElectroAuto in Bonny Doone, just not the dedicated 914 kit. Called the "Light Vehicle AC Kit". Dedicated kit has torsion bars and springs that I already have, and side graphics I don't want...

As cold as it's been, I've been looking into heat. I'm going with a ceramic core (from a cheapo 120VAC heater) running on 144VDC with a 12V fan, hopefully it will fit next to the brake fluid reservoir or in the same area on the pass side. I keep thinking I should put it in the engine compartment to help keep the longs dry, but the heater duct gets huge wires run through on at least one side or the other, so I may run the wires on the pass side, a rear mounted heater on the driver's side and if needed, cram another core/fan in front on the pass side... So far having only the driver's side HE hooked up is working fine on my black '71, but then I park it so the sun defrosts it before I have to leave.

Mike914 · 12-22-2006, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony

I'm curious what the range will be with 12 batteries.

As long as it goes quick that is!

I only need less than 30 miles a day, so if it does more, I'm adding to the battery life by not discharging them fully...

neo914-6 · 12-23-2006, 05:59 PM

Did you know there's another electric 914 here in San Jose? I believe Shannon Gomes was his name. I don't have his info anymore as we only PM'd in the .com site.

Mike914 · 12-25-2006, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neo914-6

Did you know there's another electric 914 here in San Jose? I believe Shannon Gomes was his name. I don't have his info anymore as we only PM'd in the .com site.

I have seen a black Voltsporsche once in Santa Clara, and Otmar's CAPOPPY once on a fun run. Been planning this for a while...

Check into 914world.com, your PM's are prolly still there...

pinetreeporsche · 12-26-2006, 12:07 PM

Not being familiar with the ElectroAuto system I was going to ask about the drive--like does it go through the 914 half-shafts, or what. Then, when I saw the 30 mile commute, I started wondering, if it wouldn't be possible to make a semi-independent drive hybrid. Reduce the VW power by putting on old 40-horse bug motor, or even a 36--simple swap,, with just a low pressure fuel pump. Late VW heater boxes would solve the heat problem. Then put the electric power to the front--which might involve changing out the front corners, like to a Suburu, to have the drive shafts for the electropower. You could go electric only in smoggy commute time, hybrid on long trips, and Gas only when the batteries are down and you're still far from home. And hey, my '60 Ghia had a40-horse, and it didn't seem inadequate, after all my years in split-window vans with the same motor. I bet a 36 horse would get 40+ mpg without the electric boost, and have no trouble cruising at 75, if the hills don't get too long and steep. And there's always that SURGE of electric power if you need it.
We all need to dream--that's mine. -Chris in DC 'burbs

ChrisNPDrider · 12-28-2006, 11:35 AM

Mike - I just wanted to add my support to your efforts. I bought my 914 last year for an EV conversion, but am having too much fun driving my first 914 to stop and do the swap. I am still saving for the kit. I'm happy to hear you chose the AC. I have talked a bit with the ElectroAuto folks, attended their seminar, and swapped emails with Otmar and others. All agree the kit takes A LOT of guesswork out and will get you on the road faster.

Now that wrenching on 914s is my new hobby, I'm willing to help in exchange for the learning experience alone. If you are up for a visit, I would really like to see your progress and what you do have of the kit. I plan to try to see Felix and Neo914 in San Jose Sat Jan 13. Maybe we could check out your car after lunch?

olav · 12-28-2006, 10:42 PM

Cool.

There was an EV 914 in my area for a while and he had an ev VW bus too.

12-18-2006, 12:58 PM	#1
Mike914 Long Time 914 Nut! Junior Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: SJ, CA Posts: 70	914 EV Soon to Be! My '74 1.8 is not stock, but it looks it with the 4-lug Fuchs under stock fenders. [EDIT{ The car on the RoadGlue Banner could be mine if it was 4-lug, missing the side markers and had an original blue '74 plate on the bumper! } END EDIT] So far I have added a 19mm front bar and stock rear (disconnected it again after changing the springs), increased the rear springs to 165 progressives and the front bars to 22mm. I've added adjustable Koni's all 'round and it was running 205-65 15 AVS's in the rear, with 205-50 in front. Front hubs have been replaced with Mueller's alloy 4 lugs and brakes have been upgraded to 19mm master, M calipers in front stock in back. I'm in the process of adding vented rotors in back as we speak... All the spring/bar and brake upgrades are intended to offset the additional mass of 12 12V AGM batteries. I will have 4 batteries on each side of the motor and 4 where the fuel tank was. Controller fits nicely in the rear trunk, along with the Targa top, charger may live in the front trunk above the spare tire, or in the rear trunk beside the controller. I'm planning on ordering a dozen voltage regulators to complement the Manzanita Micro charger and to keep the batteries alive. I have already received the AC24 motor and Azure 3-phase controller. I'm still waiting for the transmission adapter plate and motor mounts before proceeding with the fabrication of the rear battery racks, but I finished the front trunk rack. Now if only the rest of the parts would show! __________________ Mike Scott in SJ, CA Got 914? Drive one a day, that's all I ask! Last edited by Mike914 : 12-18-2006 at 01:02 PM.

12-26-2006, 12:07 PM	#8
pinetreeporsche Junior Member n00b Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5	?maybe a Hybrid 914? Not being familiar with the ElectroAuto system I was going to ask about the drive--like does it go through the 914 half-shafts, or what. Then, when I saw the 30 mile commute, I started wondering, if it wouldn't be possible to make a semi-independent drive hybrid. Reduce the VW power by putting on old 40-horse bug motor, or even a 36--simple swap,, with just a low pressure fuel pump. Late VW heater boxes would solve the heat problem. Then put the electric power to the front--which might involve changing out the front corners, like to a Suburu, to have the drive shafts for the electropower. You could go electric only in smoggy commute time, hybrid on long trips, and Gas only when the batteries are down and you're still far from home. And hey, my '60 Ghia had a40-horse, and it didn't seem inadequate, after all my years in split-window vans with the same motor. I bet a 36 horse would get 40+ mpg without the electric boost, and have no trouble cruising at 75, if the hills don't get too long and steep. And there's always that SURGE of electric power if you need it. We all need to dream--that's mine. -Chris in DC 'burbs

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12-18-2006, 07:00 PM	#2
Mueller Junior Member n00b Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 2	hey Mike, how did you choose what electronics to use for your conversion? are you going with a "kit"??

12-18-2006, 07:27 PM	#3
Anthony 914 addict n00b Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 2	I'm curious what the range will be with 12 batteries.

12-23-2006, 05:59 PM	#6
neo914-6 Junior Member n00b Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 3	Did you know there's another electric 914 here in San Jose? I believe Shannon Gomes was his name. I don't have his info anymore as we only PM'd in the .com site.

12-28-2006, 11:35 AM	#9
ChrisNPDrider Junior Member n00b Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: El Cerrito, NorCal Posts: 17	Mike - I just wanted to add my support to your efforts. I bought my 914 last year for an EV conversion, but am having too much fun driving my first 914 to stop and do the swap. I am still saving for the kit. I'm happy to hear you chose the AC. I have talked a bit with the ElectroAuto folks, attended their seminar, and swapped emails with Otmar and others. All agree the kit takes A LOT of guesswork out and will get you on the road faster. Now that wrenching on 914s is my new hobby, I'm willing to help in exchange for the learning experience alone. If you are up for a visit, I would really like to see your progress and what you do have of the kit. I plan to try to see Felix and Neo914 in San Jose Sat Jan 13. Maybe we could check out your car after lunch?

12-28-2006, 10:42 PM	#10
olav ReMember n00b Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Carmel, CA Posts: 15	Cool. There was an EV 914 in my area for a while and he had an ev VW bus too.