No pistons, no fuel, no worries! Toyota Sera EV Conversion begins…

[SLO-030]

Hey mate, If you dont mind me asking, what did Industrial Springs slug you for the springs?

[VA61DETT]

-SLO-030

Springs were $300 as a 'custom' job, they are 5.7Kg/mm which Is a bit too tight for this application....
But waay better then hitting the bump stops every 5 seconds!

-A

[VA61DETT]

Update
Monday, 3 May 2010

Finished off all the new brackets and backing plates on Saturday, re-installed the box and batteries on Sunday.
Currently modifying & re-installing the upper brackets and battery monitoring electronics.
Should be back on the road in no time!

I just hope the engineer is not too picky about my spot welding technique for the under-body work, (welding to 0.6mm nicely with my MIG is near on impossible).

Sealed up vents, prior to painting:


Rear of box with upgraded lower brackets:


Front super-impact-resistant-restraint-system (tm )


-A

[SLO-030]

-SLO-030

Springs were $300 as a 'custom' job, they are 5.7Kg/mm which Is a bit too tight for this application....
But waay better then hitting the bump stops every 5 seconds!

-A

Sounds about right. If you want to change them or need some replacements, Drop me a PM.

CHEERS
Ryan

[VA61DETT]

Friday, 4 June 2010

Ok, small but very important update…



It passed engineering on Wednesday afternoon!!!! Whooohooo!
One very important item off the to-do list!
Just need to get the rest of the paperwork in order & arrange a time for a license inspection and I will be done!

-A

[TERRA Operative]

SWEEEEEEETTTTT!!

Keep us updated on how it goes with normal daily use.



On another slightly related note, our Sera is in the panel shop being panel beaten, resprayed and restored inc. full engine rebuild.

It's a good time for Seras at the moment it seems.

[BLK_20v]

Just spent an hour or two reading this thread from start to finish and ... wow!

[Draven]

awesome news!

Love the project

[VA61DETT]

Thanks guys

-Terra
I have been driving it to work for the last couple of months on and off, so far the only real issue I am having is the accuracy of my battery fuel gauge.
It keeps progressively dropping the charge level each time I re-charge it. After re-setting the first time is ok, (100%) then it will drop about %5 on each successive charge cycle, I think it may be some set-up/calibration issue, as the voltages and charge times appear to be correct.
Will be re-wiring it in the next couple of weeks...

-A

[Muziiz]

very impressive I love the dedication and the fact that it is finished and being driven.. well done mate !

[wa5]

How is the Sera running? all the teething problems solved?
Have you put any thought into making the A/C operative?

and how do you think your car would go up against the new Imiev, specifically range and performance?

[VA61DETT]

G'day

It is going good, Just had my approval for modification granted, should be hitting the pits for final inspection shortly.

Air con dose function (or did till the gas leaked out, need a new 'o' ring or 2).
Heating system is also working well now that I got a suitable contactor.

Range is around 100Km on the flats, about 80km if you drive it up and down the hills @ 90-100km/h
Still haven't checked the 0-60-100 times yet, problem is the clutch slips way too much if you nail it in 3rd or 4th, will do 140km/h on flat roads with out too much difficulty.

Will update post when it is 100% licensed

[VA61DETT]

Minor update, Now waiting for the engineer to submit his part of the paperwork, to add to the other part of the paperwork for re-submission to the licensing department to go back-into the bureaucratical black hole for another few weeks before I can take it to the license centre for final inspection & approval...
Soo much pissing around!

In the mean time I have found a small issue with the 12v systems, it would appear that my DC-DC converter will not handle the transient loads particularly well, I may need to replace the 12v18AH SLA with a beefier one.
Or perhaps install a nice beefy capacitor (Terra_Operative check your messages ).
If any one has a 1F cap floating around I would really like to borrow it to see if it will fix my issue...

Regards
-A

[Draven]

so

Here for toyotafest?

pretty please?

[VA61DETT]

Hmm Toyfest hau?...
Would have to train it there and back... have already drove it across from Victoria... not keen on doing it again!

-A