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From: jmccain@dcbnet.com
Category: Category 1
Date: 3/8/2004
Time: 8:01:32 PM
Remote Name: 192.168.0.14
1992 Solectria Force. This is a 1992 Geo Metro, factory converted by Solectria to be electric. The original Geo Metro roominess is still there due to intelligent placement of the batteries. Price is $5,500, $5,000 if sold and removed from the garage before March 28, 2004 . This is truly a low-maintenance EV and excellent car for a commuter or first-time Ev buyer. General Description: Hatchback (actually seats four people with rear seat unchanged), Automatic (1-speed) transmission, AM/FM/Casette stereo, Air Conditioning, Heater, cruise control, fresh tires, curb weight about 2,150 pounds.
Technical: Front wheel drive, single speed automatic gearbox. 46 HP AC electric induction motor, 150V, 3 phase 220 amp motor controller, twelve 12-volt, deep cycle, flooded lead acid batteries (Interstate group 27). Automatic charger built-in (120vac 15 or 20 amp input). Rechage is about 8 hours from full discharge, much less time required if batteries are only partially discharged. Solar photovoltaic panels on the roof for trickle charging batteries (mostly for show, but they call it a "trickle charger"). Automatic Regenerative braking, "Power Saver" or "Performance" switch. Five batteries under the hood, seven in the hatch back under the cargo area. This is the high quality Brusa AC Controller and Brusa AC motor that Solectria imported.. This car was definitely ahead of its time in design and quality conversion.
Performance: Maximum speed is 65 mph, but best suited for 40 to 50 mph speeds. Range with new batteries is about 40 miles. (The installed batteries are 1998 vintage and must be replaced.) Current range (in warm weather) is about 10 miles. Energy consumption is about 250 wh per mile.
Condition: Typical garage dings for a car of this age. A few scratches on the rear bumper from someone pushing it. Mileage is only 15,000 . It was always stored inside and never driven in the winter weather. I added a battery heater to the front batteries, and have an uninstalled heater for the rear batteries. Used the "Chancey waterbed heater method". I decided that I didn't want to drive it in the winter due to ice/snow/salt on the roads in central IL, and stopped the battery heater project. The car has a kerosene-fired heater, but I've never used it. It would require some work to make the kerosene heater work, but there is no documentation on the heater. I have the owner's and repair manual from Solectria. The batteries have expired. It uses common Group 27 deep cycle batteries... good thing is that the whole pack is only about $800; down side is that they need to be watered 3 or 4 times per year, the only routine maintenance the car really needs. Current batteries are Interstate brand from 1998 (with a couple replaced in 2000). For the geeks... I wired the RS-232 computer connection (required a RS-485 converter) from the controller to under the dashboard, so you can plug in a laptop and monitor the entire system. MSDOS software and info is included. Solar panel on the roof is looking pretty worn, but includes a maximum power point (MPP) controller located near the charger.
Original cost $34,000 in 1992. Original purchaser was Northern States Power Company. I've had it since September, 2000. I used it for a 25 mile daily commute, but now my employer has moved out of town, so it's no longer suitable for commuting to work here.. making it a toy for me. Mostly been stored since 2001. The wife says it has to go because I bought a motorhome, so it shall be. Includes a high-quality custom-built tow bar (and tow lights) the power company used to haul it to county fairs and such. I towed it home using it and it tracked well... couldn't tell it was behind the pickup. Located near Champaign, IL. My Phone number is 217-586-7965 . Email at jmccain@dcbnet.com Pictures at http://www.mccainhome.com/ev/index.html. (217) 586-7965