More performance EVs in the news
April 8, 2007 by Rob.
http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/04/08/1643252&from=rss.
This is getting to be quite a flood of activity.
The article points out the Hydrogen is a) not performing and b) a long way out. The whole idea of physically transporting fuel is so 20th century!
Battery boxes critical dimensions
April 8, 2007 by Rob.
I spent some time getting the critical dimensions for the battery boxes. My plan is to cut/fit a few critical support pieces into place and then build the boxes up from there. Here are my notes:
I have to build 3 boxes and 2 supports:
- Grill box (2 batteries) will require welding a new support to the frame. It is very close tolerance in 2 ways: need to be very close to the motor mount for clearance and must leave room to insert the batteries. The batteries can’t drop in because the hood closure latch run in the middle. My plan is to drop in on the right and slide the left battery into place. I also need to replace the removed support for the hood latch.
- Engine box (3 batteries) will use the motor mount as the primary support. The back will be rest (not attached) on a cross beam near the firewall. The mount provides vibration dampening so the box should not be rigidly coupled to the frame. It also needs to be close to the firewall, but leave room on either side for components
- Motor end support drops down directly below the primary cross support. The mount will ensure that it can bounce with the transmission.
- Axle support (trickiest component) drops down from the battery box and needs to strongly support the axle bearing. In addition, the p/s pump needs to be mounted to the support between the bearing and box. There is enough clearance for this, but the width needs to match the pump’s mounting bolt holes.
- Rear box (7 batteries) is the simplest box. The dimensions are too tight to split the box and sink 1/2 the box under the floor. While this would lower the center of gravity, it also adds complexity to the rear box with marginal return on investment. The box will just be a basic square bolted down to the frame through the floor.
Luckily, many of the supports are exactly 36″ and will not require cutting down longer (more $) pieces of steel.