tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270124316233555550.post1610740701677030418..comments2023-01-26T20:59:29.216-08:00Comments on Porsche 914 EV Conversion: Opinions and RantsTimKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09059780797709299125noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270124316233555550.post-9201441099422123012008-02-15T08:03:00.000-08:002008-02-15T08:03:00.000-08:00Hi Ross, I think you're right. You do have 2/0 g...Hi Ross,<BR/><BR/> I think you're right. You do have 2/0 gauge cable. When I purchased the cable from the welding store, I asked for 2/0 gauge cable and the insulation also says 2/0 gauge. If I look at the cross section of the cable ElectroAuto shipped, it's clearly much smaller. I had to hunt around to find 2/0 cable for $2.85 a foot, but several contacts at the local EV club helped me. Best wishes with your ElectroJeep! TimTimKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09059780797709299125noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270124316233555550.post-85101431194043937422008-02-15T07:49:00.000-08:002008-02-15T07:49:00.000-08:00Tim - I'm 100% certain I have 2/0 cables - see for...Tim - I'm 100% certain I have 2/0 cables - see for example <A HREF="http://rcunniff.googlepages.com/CableLugEnd.JPG" REL="nofollow">this picture</A> of one of my cable lug ends. And my cable sheath O/D is roughly 5/8 inch which correlates pretty well with 2/0 cable's copper diameter of 0.414" (as found <A HREF="http://www.datajett.com/cbl_calc.html" REL="nofollow">here</A>). I wonder if you got 4/0 cable instead? (If you *paid* for 2/0 cable you got a good deal!)Ross Cunniffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06668735330276350432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270124316233555550.post-48488068078959290792008-01-31T20:26:00.000-08:002008-01-31T20:26:00.000-08:00If you've got another 32k sitting around, you coul...If you've got another 32k sitting around, you could have an AC55 with A123 Lion cells. It would be about 120lbs in batteries. I've been pondering the market for a 12-16k Lion pack for the 914 as a kit option. An AC24 would be *A LOT* more peppy with 61lbs of batteries in the package tray instead of 2k+.Perry Harringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05509338056919415776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270124316233555550.post-59466550563644484382008-01-29T18:58:00.000-08:002008-01-29T18:58:00.000-08:00Hi Roger, Thanks for your comments. I totally ag...Hi Roger,<BR/> Thanks for your comments. I totally agree with you that the good folks at EA are just overwhelmed and need a better way to communicate with their customers. I suspect Mike and Shari might have done things a certain way for quite a while and may be resistant to change at this point. I have to give them credit for sticking with the business since I don't see anyone else out there making electric vehicle kits as easy as EAs.<BR/><BR/>TimTimKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09059780797709299125noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270124316233555550.post-89439947148884556542008-01-29T18:25:00.000-08:002008-01-29T18:25:00.000-08:00Tim: As reported before, my CCPower DC/DC converte...Tim: As reported before, my CCPower DC/DC converter had failed, probably immediately after turn-on, but I didn't realize it right away until I read about your problem ... and checked mine. The fuse had blown. I jumped to the conclusion that my DC/DC was faulty, as yours appeared to be and did a little "ranting" of my own ... only to have to eat my words. I admited that I had a wiring problem and after correcting the problem and replacing the fuse (even with a smaller one!) ... no problem since then.<BR/><BR/>I have mentioned to the good folks at EA (and they ARE good folks) more than once, that they are developing a "less-than-ideal" reputation for poor communications and customer service. A "good name" is hard to come by and even harder to regain after spoiling it. You are right: The products are superior, but EA is very frustrating to deal with. (EA comes up on the EVDL fairly frequently)<BR/><BR/>From what I can tell, the problem has two parts:<BR/><BR/>Part One is too much business for them to handle. <BR/><BR/>Part Two is a lack of communications with customers ... probably because they don't want to get yelled at! I think this is the most serious problem and probably the easiest to correct.<BR/><BR/>I have suggested to them that as each major order comes in (kits, not individual parts) they assign a "production number" and estimated shipping date. That number could be listed on-line and updated, as needed. Most people would accept that, if EA was honest about it and updated, as needed. If a problem occurred in production, then immediately disclose it and adjust production delivery dates. This simple solution would save hundreds of phone calls and show a professional attitude. (Any decent programmer could set up such a system in a day, or two.)<BR/><BR/>As it is now, EA still states: "In general, delivery time is within 4-6 weeks," which seems patently wrong. It's no wonder folks get pi$$ed off, when after three MONTHS, or more, no parts and no answers to emails.<BR/><BR/>Bottom line: Overwhelmed, but correctable.<BR/><BR/>Ps: To Mike & Shari: Love my VW. I just wish we didn't have 2+ ft. of snow right now!Roger Daisleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10752698755981213856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270124316233555550.post-27965096612172791612008-01-29T08:50:00.000-08:002008-01-29T08:50:00.000-08:00Hi Ross, Thanks for your feedback. I am pretty s...Hi Ross,<BR/> Thanks for your feedback. I am pretty sure they sent me 2 gauge cable because I purchased 2/0 gauge cable from a welding supply store and it was much thicker than what they sent me. I even had to shave off several strands of wire to squeeze the cable into the 2 gauge lugs that ElectroAuto provided.<BR/><BR/>If you compare the pictures in this post of my system:<BR/><BR/>http://914ev.blogspot.com/2007/07/hacking-big-cables.html<BR/><BR/>to similar pictures in your system:<BR/><BR/>http://volt914.blogspot.com/2007/10/controller-wiring.html<BR/><BR/>I think the cables look significantly different. Perhaps the insulation is just a different thickness... Not sure.<BR/><BR/>Good point about the AC55. Making 312V would be tricky in such a small space.<BR/><BR/>Cheers, TimTimKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09059780797709299125noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270124316233555550.post-45556984237735662702008-01-29T08:05:00.000-08:002008-01-29T08:05:00.000-08:00Tim, I agree in large part with many of your rants...Tim, I agree in large part with many of your rants. But a few things (which may be symptoms of incomplete kits more than anything else):<BR/><BR/>1. I got almost all the nuts, bolts, etc. except for a few weird things, like hood pins and CapPlugs (and gauges for the 120v DC kit rather than the 144v AC kit)<BR/><BR/>2. Are you sure you mean they sent you "2 gauge cable instead of 2/0"? I'm real sure I got 2/0 gauge. I *am*, though, upgrading to 4/0 for my Jeep conversion project. Regardless, I have not noticed any excessive heat in the cabling.<BR/><BR/>3. The AC55 motor might "fit" given proper adaptors, but it has a 312v nominal minimum rating, which means 26 12v batteries. Hard to find space for all of those. When my 18*8=144v pack dies, I am considering upgrading to 18*12=216v which should give higher torque at the same amps. If I do this, I may also upgrade to 4/0 cable for the Porsche.<BR/><BR/>I think a lot of it is that they got overwhelmed by demand. However, as you suggest, caveat emptor.Ross Cunniffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06668735330276350432noreply@blogger.com