PDA

View Full Version : Electric Mini


MarcE30
10-12-2004, 06:14 PM
Hello Everyone,

I have a friend who I think has probably lost his mind and has decided to convert a standard mini with A series engine, into an electric mini. He has already purchase £6k of Lithium Ion batteries and a shell. The first initial thoughts which he would like some feedback from you all on are, does he run front or rear wheel drive?

Rear wheel we thought would be easier using something like a robin reliant rear diff and prop, but the thought also cropped up about trying to use the mini gearbox and run front wheel drive, i.e. bolt the electric motor to the mini gearbox. The issues with this apart from how to attached the motor were how to oil the gearbox and what sort of diff and gear ratios to use. The electric motor will run at 6000 rpm and produces very good torque so only two gears might be needed.

If this project ever works, the car will not be the fastest in the world as we have estimate the weight to be around 1100kgs, but we suspect this might be the only one in existance!

cheers
marc

MattG
10-12-2004, 06:20 PM
there is a site with a guy building a electric mini pickup , he is using the std mini gearbox and mounting the motor on top ... will try and find the link

i allways fancied trying it

Matt

MattG
10-12-2004, 06:20 PM
quick google :

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/electric.mini/

MarcE30
10-12-2004, 06:22 PM
cheers Matt

there are obviously many mad people out there, I will have a read!

marc

10-12-2004, 06:52 PM
I was having a flick through 1 of my brother copy volks world ( didn't mean to stray!!!! :oops: ) there was this beetle with the biggest electric motor i have seen and the caption under the pic said the motor was rated at 200bhp. the bettarys only lasted long enough for a 1/4 mile pass!!