Build an Electric Car - What Kind of Batteries Should be Used?

At the moment there are really only a few choices for EV batteries.

The first is flooded lead acid batteries, such as golf cart and trolling motor type batteries. While these are reasonably priced, they do require periodic water level checks and cleaning. Dollar for dollar they are the least expensive way to power an EV. For high performance EVs however, they are a poor choice, because of the weight, and inability to handle high current loads (over 600 amps) without losing service life.

A second choice is VRLA, (Valve Regulated Lead Acid) AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat). These are often used in computer backup (UPS) power systems. They are considered sealed, so there is no fluid level to check, and they stay clean, because they don’t vent under normal charging. They are able to deliver astonishingly high currents without failing. They do tend to be a bit more expensive, and require more sophisticated charging systems than the flooded batteries. They also usually have a shorter service life.

Another choice is gel cell batteries. These are lead-acid batteries with the electrolyte in a gell format. Due to the methods used in manufacturing them they tend to be very consistent battery to battery within production lot. This reduces the need for the battery management systems used on AGM batteries, though many folks still recommend them on gells as well.

Yet another choice is nickel-cadmium batteries. These have become less available due to regulatory changes in Europe. They tend to be considerably more expensive than conventional lead-acid batteries, but their extraordinarily long service life make them actually less expensive over the life of the vehicle.

Lithium based batteries are finally starting to trickle though to the individual user, but so far not in large numbers. Their long term life span is still a bit of an unknown, though it is quite promissing.

Get professional detailed electric car conversion Manual, click HERE

How to build your own electric car

Check your driving radius before building your own electric car

Just as article Why shall we convert and drive electric cars says, there are lots of benefits to drive electric car! But there are very few finished electric cars available currently. So, building your own electric car is an alternative choice. Are you long for building your own one now? Wait a minute, maybe driving an electric car is not a good choice for you! Before building your own electric car, you must take two things into account.

1. Is electric car appropriate for your needs?

The average conversion electric car has a realistic range of 30 to 70 miles in everyday driving conditions depending on the type of batteries you have and the weight of the vehicle. If your commute is more then 35 miles one way in very hilly terrain, an electric car may not be a good idea. However, if your commute is on average terrain and is about 20 miles each way, an electric car is perfect. If you are a two car family and one car is usually used for short trips, you may want to consider an electric car.

2. Do you have easy access to charge your electric car?

It is necessary that you can charge your electric car conveniently. You must have an everyday charging way for your electric car.  EV Charger Station in North American and Public EV Recharging Station Map give you some public recharging stations lists for you.

Prepare for building your own electric car

Now, your driving radius is appropriate for you to build own electric car! OK, get started.

1. Choosing a gasoline car for conversion. To build your own electric car, you can’t build everything by yourself. We generally convert a gasoline car as  the main body of electric car. It’s good if you already have one. You can buy a second-hand car if you don’t have one. For electric car, lighter means farther and better! So, choose a car as light as possible.

2. Components, tools and supplies. Components include batteries, advanced DC motor, adaptor plate, DC motor controller, potentiometer, charger interlock and other things. Most do-it yourselfers already have the tools required to convert an elective car. Choosing electric car DIY is the easiest way to build your own electric car. If you have most of thees parts already, you only need to buy other parts. Some good build your own electric car manuals have very good suggestions on usage of waste to save money.

3. Learn safety knowledge. Be aware of possible hazards will prevent damage to the car and serious injury to yourself.

Build your own electric car

Now it is the work to build your own electric car step by step. Building electric car is not a difficult thing like makeing a rocket, most of us can do it. It is not as easy as repairing a electric fan, either! You’d better get electric car conversion manual to build your own electric car unless you are an auto engineer.

Here we recommend two good building your own electric car E-books for you. One is Electricity4gas, an other one is Convert2EV.

Electricity4gas is an E-book of 40-Page PDF which including:       

1. The parts and tools you need before you start.
2. Tips on how to obtain free batteries and other free parts for the electric car.
3. Setup and step-by-step instructions (ex. how to put new parts and the original transmission together) with clear detailed diagrams.
4. Much more and some good books as bonuses.

For detail of Electricity4gas, click here!

Convert2EV has 90-page PDF and including:

1. How to get used batteries for free.
2. How to recondition the used batteries to nearly new condition.
3. How to mount the heavy batteries in your car or truck to accommodate the weight.
4. Sources to find almost free DC motors.
5. Will learn what kinds of electric car motors are needed for your electric car conversion. You will find out what options are available, what size you will need and also where to find electric motors in your own neighborhood. The real heart of your electric car conversions is the motor.
6. List of certain specialized parts: an electric motor, deep cycle batteries, controller, battery charger, an adaptor kit and various other small parts.
7. How to wire the batteries and motor to the controller with gauge welding cable.
8. Much more and some good books as bonuses.

For detail of Convert2EV , click here!

 

May you build your own electric car successfully and Enjoy your DIY electric car!

Why shall we convert and drive electric cars?

 

Note: Base on economical and environmental advantages, we should convert and drive electric cars. The simplicity of conversion makes it possible for us to convert and drive electric cars. Everyone can do it step by step with well written manual.

Reason in detail.

  • The environment. We have been polluting the air we breath with automobile exhaust for so long that most of us don’t realize how bad the air quality around us is. Battery power is zero pollution on the street, and when you are recharging your batteries the power plant emissions are far less than any gasoline engine produces.
  • Cost. The cost to recharge the batteries on a battery powered EV is about 1/3 the cost of gasoline, mile for mile. It is more important at present to save money.
  • Simplicity. An electric motor has one moving part. It will run for one million miles with little or no maintenance.
  • Dependence on petroleum fuels. As demands start to out pace supplies of fuel the cost will rise and never come back down.
  • Can we afford to wait for the auto industry to save us? The auto industry has fought off any governmental demands for electric vehicles in the past. Why would we want to believe they are ready now. The number of cars and trucks on the streets keeps increasing so we are fighting a losing battle with pollution.
  • Those of us that can convert a second car to electric power can make an impact on pollution and get a lot of enjoyment in doing it. The average driver travels under 30 miles in the city, and electric cars will provide a silent, pollution free ride for those trips.

Download an excellent E-Book such like Electricity4gas and learn how to convert almost any vehicle to battery power. Electricity4gas is filled with examples and photos to help you make the decisions and choices to get the best vehicle and motor combinations, decide which batteries to use, and where to get the parts to make it happen.

Get started now to beat the oil companies high prices, and stop contributing to global warming and air pollution.

 

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