Electric 7.....

[ajroberts]

I am debating on creating a little electric 7.

Has anyone made one or got any suggestions?

I can either put the motor in the vertical position where the tank is currently above the rear axle and batteries in the engine bay or vice versa.

Benefits for the motors in the typical place is that I can piggy back two motors and get more power at the cost of battery size.

Benefits of the motor above the axle is that I can have a better weight distribution and a longer range battery pack.


All the best.


aj

[Fury1630]

If the motor's mounted vertically, how does that affect the diff - oil level, breathing etc, or were you thinking of mounting it horizontally, vertically above the diff with a belt drive? Could it not be mounted to the diff pointing into the trans tunnel? I would've thought (based on no knowledge at all) that having the batteries in the front would be better - they're the bit you're going to need to get to & there's then no need for a propshaft which is a heavy old thing.

This was discussed (ish) here:-
http://southernkitcars.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=9512

[nelmo]

Breaking new ground there - you could ask GBS; they've just got a £2m grant to develop an electric 7.

The only electric 7 I've seen was a bloke at Stoneleigh who built his 25 years ago with a milk float motor mounted in the front with the batteries.

But if you have 2 motors, one for each wheel, no need for a diff at all. ECU will be the tricky and expensive bit, I'd imagine.

[Rob E]

A Westfield guy just built one ,left a mega busa standing on the quarter mile, very quick but could only achieve 3/4 runs as the battery gets dangerously hot, good luck with the build, be very interesting

[bigstuff]

Most efficient would be to put a motor at each corner with direct short drive to each wheel. Use each motor for regenerative braking, electronically controlled saving weight on discs and callipers. Put the battery pack as a flat slab in the floor of the car to maximize stability and lower centre of gravity. All in all that will give you loads of extra leg room or storage space, and really fast short range characterless driving.

[locost220]

Dragaon Electrics, did a Vindicator sprint already, but you might enjoy the person development touch.
Rich

[locost220]

ditto

[DJ.]

Exciting project, we want lots of photos

I would think that batteries in the front would keep the weight distribution more like a normal Seven. The transmission tunnel would then make a nice safe place to keep all those thick cables.

[David T]

Followed this blog a little while back: http://www.fromthedrivingseat.com/megawatt-1.html The YouTube videos are good too.

[SteveRST]

Sounds like a very interesting project! Do keep us updated please.


There is a mad electric Westfield tearing up the drag strips in Barbados I think. Google "Westfield MegaWatt".