Built-From-Scratch Electric Car

Built-From-Scratch Electric Car ENERGY Alternative Fuels 18-3-20 "After reading about many exciting and creative innovations accomplished by FARM SHOW readers, I thought you'd be interested in this convertible electric car I designed and built myself, piece by piece, from the ground up," says Spurgeon Kimmel, Wellsville, Penn. "The three 12-volt batteries driving this car are controlled by a solid-state controller. Another 12-volt battery is used for lights, horns, and accessories. Two of the batteries mount in front of the car and two at the rear for better weight distribution. The car has a range of about 50 miles between charges. It passed our state vehicle inspection requirements so it's licensed for legal driving on the highway. It goes up to 35 mph. "A 4 1/2 hp DC series-wound motor is mounted at the rear of the car. A belt-driven potentiometer transfers current from the motor to the differential. The motor also belt-drives a torque variator that I designed to keep the motor from overloading on hills. The torque variator keeps a uniform load on the motor by reducing the car's speed going uphill. I activate it whenever I come to a hill by pulling a lever." The car's frame and axles came off an old 1951 Crosley station wagon. "I made an aluminum rib cage for the body and put chicken wire over it, then added two layers of fiberglass and resin. "I've learned a lot from this experiment and already have a new and improved version on the drawing board." Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Spurgeon E. Kimmel, 40 York St., Wellsville, Penn. 17365 (ph 717 432-3117).

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