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#46 MiniCarJack

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Posted 02 July 2020 - 12:22 PM

 

Anyone watched this yet? Swind E tested by Jonny Smith (Fifth Gear presenter)

https://youtu.be/X4QgKJ85vd8

 

That battery pack is delicious. I was thinking of trying the same config by cobbling together Leaf modules...I wonder how they repositioned the handbrake like that...

 

9s 0-60 seems a bit underwhelming, though...I wonder if they throttled power down to avoid excessive spin and torque-steer.

 

 

It's probably been "de-tuned" for that very reason, as I imagine it's quite tricky to make a nice drive-able road car when you combine a high-torque electric motor and narrow 12" wheels! And maybe range is a consideration too?



#47 MikeRotherham

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Posted 02 July 2020 - 12:33 PM

Vintage Voltage - New TV series on Quest
"Vintage Voltage follows Richard “Moggy” Morgan and his team of electric car experts as they convert and restore classic cars into electric power."
Thursday 25th June, 9pm Quest:-

https://www.facebook...f=page_internal


 

Watched the first episode of this converting a Karman Ghia. I thought the episode very well presented. High lights for me were the way they produced the adapter plate and the standard of welding on the battery containers. As far as I can tell the only car with an A series to be converted in a future episode looks to be an MG Midget.


Edited by MikeRotherham, 02 July 2020 - 12:33 PM.


#48 [email protected]

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Posted 23 November 2020 - 12:17 AM

London Electric Cars might be the one converter most focused on producing a DYI kit, and their tactic to re-cycle rear-ended Leafs makes a whole lot of sense from the "don't put more stuff in landfills" perspective.  I've corresponded with Matthew over there and I'm hoping his business does well, because one day they won't let me drive my ICE Mini in Manhattan any longer!

 

I did stumble on a place in the Netherlands that is selling a kit for DYI'rs for 20,000 Euros all-in - see: http://www.electricmini.nl/ and a video review here:

 

It seems less sophisticated than the SwindE approach and it does give up the entire boot for the batteries, unlike the SwindE prototype with the "T" shaped battery forming an oversized tunnel-spine in the cockpit, or the 12kwh battery option SwindE ended up selling to the public as part of the kit that sits on top of the motor & tranny under the bonnet (that has to reduce the range compared to early press materials on the prototype!).

 

There are at least two other "high-end", more expensive options out there that I've seen as well:

  1. https://www.ian-moti...m/notre-projet/ video:
  2. https://www.momentmotors.com/mini video:

The good news is that the classic Mini's original 10 foot packaging, which we all know delivers great parking ability, while still seating four passengers comfortably with ACTUAL boot space (unlike many of the modern sub-compacts), is being looked at as THE classic to electrify.

 

With so many people attacking the problem in our chassis, we'll only see better and less expensive solutions cropping up in the years to come when we reach that sad day when we are forced to give up our A-Series.



#49 mab01uk

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Posted 12 January 2021 - 08:04 PM

Classic Electric Mini Conversion Kit £8,850 plus taxes.
"A purpose designed vehicle electrification conversion kit for Classic Minis is now available to order. Suitable for vehicle conversion specialists as well as the home mechanic."
https://swind.life/products/cmk/

 



#50 Tremelune

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Posted 12 January 2021 - 08:20 PM

I dig the Swindon setup, but at £9k for the motor alone, it's tough to swallow when the Leaf is faster, stronger, and waaay cheaper. getting rid of the fabrication need opens the door to a lot more people, though, which is sweet.



#51 stoneface

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Posted 12 January 2021 - 08:43 PM

and £16,000+vat for the battery pack.

I watched some  Vintage Voltage over Christmas and the cars they converted were impressive. Then you work out the cost and timescales. You could probably buy a few Tesla's for the cost.



#52 MalcolmB

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Posted 12 January 2021 - 09:19 PM

I really like the Swindon gear reduction/diff unit; it eliminates one of the biggest problems with converting a mini – finding enough space in the subframe. The biggest drawback of the Swindon package for me though, apart from the cost, is its high voltage (the same applies to repurposing drive systems from production EVs).

 

I get the reasons for using high-voltage systems, but working with a 400 volt electric system doesn't allow much room for mistakes. It would be good to see some low-voltage (sub-100V) conversion solutions for smaller cars like the Mini that don't necessarily need high-power systems. I know 100V can still kill you, but the risks are considerably lower.


Edited by MalcolmB, 12 January 2021 - 09:20 PM.





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