I'm curious as to how much structure the rear floor under the spare in the wagon has? It's an ideal position to stash batteries for an electric. I'm guessing if I cut everything out and put in a box where the fuel tank was, I would need to put in struts across the top just to be sure. Heavy duty springs and rear shocks and also on the menu. Batteries are heavy.
I would bet it needs reinforcement to be able to hold batteries. Building a reinforced box to hold the batteries where the gas tank is sounds like a good idea to me for an electric conversion.
How much does a full tank of fuel weigh (+ the tank)? You would be saving (I'm guessing) at least 150 pounds by removing the fuel tank to replace with batteries.
rollguy I think you are forgeting that automotive batteries have lead in them.
Yeah, a full gas tank is about 150. I plan on using Lithium batteries, so the power density/weight ration will be a little better. Hopefully these: http://www.a123systems.com/products-cells-prismatic-pouch-cell.htm
$$ to be sure, but I think it's best in the long run. MIT is converting a mercury milan and using these batteries. They're getting them for free, so no cost is listed, but the benefits of this type of battery seem worth the cost. Lead batteries will have to be replaced a lot sooner and end up costing more $ over the lifetime.
Don't Lithium batteries start loosing the amount of charge they take after a couple of years?
Alcology, I'm preparing for an EV swap myself. Starting small but I have a Porsche 914 set asside for when I get serious. I don't know that an Eagle is the best choise if you have options. It's a little on the heavy side and I don't know that I would recommend using the 4x4 w/ EV. It will require too much power/batt life. I wouldn't mind talking w/ you more about EV "stuff" if you have a few. My son is building an EV go-kart for the science fair this year. I have a 914 and 2 Triumph Spitfires set asside for later projects.
They do, but these batteries are designed to have a longer run cycle than most. The MIT team is estimating a lifetime of ~150,000 miles with a range of 200-250 (goal of 250) miles per charge. They're building in a fast-charge system, specifically what these batteries are designed for, that can charge the pack in about 10-15 minutes. That Milan is not a lightweight either at 3,720 lbs. So based on what they are reaching for, I think it's possible to do that to an eagle.
I'm definitely game for chatting Gronk! I don't know a whole lot, but I've been trying to do a lot of research. Canoe I think is very interested as well, although he is leaning towards a hybrid. I figured I'd try the Eagle as I like it, I have one, and a guy on the net converted a jeep cherokee. http://www.driveev.com/jeepev/home.php
He pretty much left all the electrical system and mechanicals in place. Pretty interesting read.