CONVERT IT - By; Michael P. Brown
I happened to borrow the Convert It book from David. I startd reading it over the weekend
this would be a great book to really read through and gain information on how to build an EV, especially
for those who are completely new to the Ev world such as myself.
As it makes sence to me " Don't replace your car- Recycle it"
Convert it; explains why Ev's are so much more cleaner and more simple than the Internal combustion engine.
I am still reading the book and find myself getting more and more excited about electric vehicles
I also realize that I am seeing and realizing a lot more about our environment (still) than a lot of others around me.
Which kind of freaks me out but I feel like my view points are changing and I am changing to be indifferent :)
One day at a time ~
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Re: CONVERT IT - By; Michael P. Brown
I have owned that book for over two years. Even though the publish date is near 10 years old, the book is still right on as far as the basics go. I have read through it at least 4 times. I am starting my 3rd conversion, and every time I ran into problems was because I did not follow some of his most basic rules.
For example.
Don't waste time or $ on junk yard parts, motors etc.
Think before you spend. Do the math and research.
Always determine at the begining what your end use will be. Do not compromise the project because you found something "cheap". That may be the most costly mistake you make. I just went and looked at a 87 CBR 600 yesterday for a conversion. I brought my truck, ramp, tie downs and the cash. I fully expected to bring the bike home. What I saw was a tired old hacked up bike. By the time I bought the body work to make it look right and chased the various mechanical problems, I would have been into it for about triple what I expected. It was REAL TOUGH to walk away and leave the bike.
I have since raise my donor budjet, and will try and sell off the ICE stuff to recoupe some $. Also, I found a beautiful KZ 250 Ninja for a great price. My research revealed that the 250 would exceed the design weight after conversion. Many costly suspension modifications would be required, and the smaller bike frame would limit battery size and placement.
Just a couple of examples of how this book has paid off big time.
You will have at least $2K invested and 50 hours in even the most basic project. Make the end result meet or exceed your expectations.
Mike K.
Racermike
5 years ago I met Jesus and he total ruined my life. I have never been happier.
Re: CONVERT IT - By; Michael P. Brown
What you are saying here is true, even on automotive vehicles.
If you buy something cheap (that you are unsure of) it could also make you run into
more problems and break down on the road. I definetly have experience in this area (not myself, but witnessing it)
Sometimes you can find good decent parts at a junk yard parts place (Depending on where you go)
Again, you really have to look around for the goods.
I have seen a couple of bikes being re-built (but not ev) and a lot of the errors
were made by not doing the math and research carefully.
Well, no I take that back, I have seen a regular motorcycle re-built into an ev ;)
ooh and my elite project that I miss working on :(
it would be nice to finish it so I could ride it, ehem errr 8)
Re: CONVERT IT - By; Michael P. Brown
Reminds me of this song:
"Oh why did I ever buy,
A $1000 car.
A $1000 car ain't even gonna roll,
til you throw at least another thousand in the hole.
Sink your money in it, and there you are
the owner of a 2,000 dollar 1,000 dollar car."
$1000 dollar car by the Bottle Rockets.
Pretty simple wisdom.
Mike K.
Racermike
5 years ago I met Jesus and he total ruined my life. I have never been happier.
Re: CONVERT IT - By; Michael P. Brown
I just completed one of the first basic steps Mr. Brown recommends after choosing a vehicle to convert:
"Purchase a complete FACTORY service manual for you vehicle year, make and model"
E-bay. $19.99 plus shipping :-)
This should save hours of guess work on trouble shooting and maintenance, and help tie into the factory systems.
Mike K.
Racermike
5 years ago I met Jesus and he total ruined my life. I have never been happier.
Re: CONVERT IT - By; Michael P. Brown
Hahahahaha reminds of my Ford Taurus that I once owned (before I bought my Honda)
2000 Ford Taurus V6 Flex Fuel piece of crap that had two water pumps replaced 1,000 miles apart from eachother
Fuel pump needed to be replaced then the fuel tank needed to be cleaned because of some strange substance inside.
It idled too high for some odd reason, could never figure that part out.
It was all about $5,000 worth of work that was done to that car and said "forget it" I was already overturned on it
so I traded it in. It was the best thing I ever did, I love my car.
It's kind of funny how american cars when your vehicle dies (if it's the fuel system)
especially on older chevy s-10 pick ups (love those) if it dies sometimes you just take a flippen hammer knock on the what is it, the fuel pump and it starts. Sometimes their decent vehicles sometimes not.