Electric Speedster Conversion

Anyone on here have additonal info/cost on an electronic conversion?

I noticed this Beck:
http://www.evalbum.com/2363

I seached the forum and didn't see anything. There look like a guy that has a show http://jackrickard.blogspot.com/ but I wasn't sure how much it shows the speedster. Anyway, if anyone know you all will.

John-

Out of the frying pan, straight into the fire, eh?

John,
At Knott's show in 2009 there was an electric coupe next to the Kit Car Builder magazine tent. I believe someone said it was a JPS coupe. So John Steele may know. Gerd seems to stop by there on occasion? If not, Jim Youngs at the magazine probably knows.

Stan,

No fire yet, just wanting to read about it. I was at the mid ohio raceway a few weeks ago and they had demo ride of an elec moto that was actually pretty fun to ride. I looked it over pretty good and there isn't much to it, not even a transmission. Anyway, I had two people look at my speedster last week and i don't think I can sell it. So, I need to learn how to work on it or something.

Jack Rickard has several episodes on the 2 Beck conversions he's done. I've seen them on youtube, as well as EVTV. The Harvest Beige car comes back here so we can make some molds of the battery boxes and such for an easier and more "factory" conversion the next time.

Likewise, ECO Classic cars has done one conversion and is working on their 2nd now. There is a link on my site to some photos of the install. Click on electric conversions tab.
There are also some photos of a spyder done by Duane Ball, a customer of mine in NY. Fantastic job.

I spent several days in Colorado a few weeks ago, and drove the EV speedster for the first time. I guess I am torn. Performance was great, pulled HARD off the line, and better balance than the gasoline version. Regenerative braking takes a bit to get used to, as soon as you lift, the car slows like you are on the brakes. The biggest hurdle for me is the noise (or lack of). 80mph and all you have is some wind noise and the sounds of the rubber on the pavement. Kinda strange for me...

Maybe you can install a sound system I have seen on Pimp my Ride. I think I would go with the 'Jetson's' car sound from the cartoon.

I LOVE IT!!

The Jetson's Car sounds - and every once in a while it could have George yelling:

"JANE!!!!


STOP THIS CRAZY THING!!!!"

That'll be standard equipment on electric Toyotas.

If you're driving an electric car, you NEED one of these for engine sounds...

http://vrimz.com/soundracer

(system detects signals from the alternator and not ignition impulses)

I just may have to splurge ~

Alan - put one of those things in Kim's car for when you drive!

Electric motors are very powerful, that's why (for the lack of better words) a locomotive engine is able to pull unfathomable amouns of weight, up hill, down hill and hit speeds of 70+ MPH on flat land (pulling a load) They have a huge diesel engine that turns a generator to create power for the electric motors that allows the locomotive to move. Electric motors, AC or DC produce a huge amount a torque so they usually perform great.

In regard to passenger vehicles, I'm a bit confused. My local electric company (Southern California Edison) supplements their electric power using generators that burn natural gas or diesel and they are always asking customers to conserve electricity. I'm sure it takes a huge amount of power to recharge the EV batteries so are we robbing Peter to pay Paul???

Today at an insurance salvage auction, I picked up a 2010 Toyota Prius hybrid that's going to Russia via my truck and Port Newark NJ. It had been in a light front end crash. Seems the local rescue and or tow company didn't know what they were doing and cut most of the cables...hence it's now way totaled even thought the initial crash was somewhat minor. ~Alan