New Tranny Fluid, Battery Filler and EV Toolbox

I tied up a bunch of loose ends today on the 914EV. I replaced the transmission fluid with the synthetic Royal Purple fluid from ElectroAuto. The transmission seems to spin more quickly and run quieter, but that is a highly subjective assessment. I'll know more by the end of next week.


I tried using an automatic battery filler from NAPA to fill the batteries, but the nozzle kept jamming and the weight of the water in the tank wore out my arm muscles. To help with the situation, I ran out to Fred Meyer and purchased a one-gallon pressurized garden sprayer. If I adjust the nozzle correctly, it sprays water into each battery cell chamber without splashing and also disturbs the surface of the acid so I can more clearly see the acid level. Since the weight of the water is resting in the main tank, I can more easily fill up the 72 cells (4 cells x 18 batteries) without my arm getting tired.


I also purchased a plastic toolbox for the trunk filled with most of the stuff I listed in this prior blog entry, just in case I had problems out on the road. This box wedges nicely between the DMOC445 controller and the right wall of the trunk so it doesn't move around.


I found quite a bit of water in the rear trunk during these rainy days, so I added the weather-stripping that I had never installed from the original ElectroAuto kit. This picture shows the weather stripping on the bottom edge of the trunk lid just above the silver PORSCHE letters.

The last project for the day is adding loc-tite to the bolts on the steering wheel. They keep coming loose with road vibration and I'd rather not end up with a steering wheel in my hands without the ability to steer.

Cheers,
Tim