EVparts.com FAQ

From http://www.evparts.com/faq

These Frequently Asked Questions are maintained by members of the EV Discussion List, a mailing list which provides a forum for discussing the current state of the art and the future direction of electric vehicles. Please address comments and suggestions to the FAQ editor.

Page1

• EV DISCUSSION LIST
  • What is the EV Discussion List?
  • How do I subscribe?
  • How do I unsubscribe?
  • Where are the archives?
• EV TERMINOLOGY
  • What does the term ICE mean?
  • What is an electric vehicle (EV)?
  • What is a hybrid (HEV)?
  • What is an neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV)?
  • What is a flooded battery?
  • What is a sealed battery?
  • What does AGM mean?
  • What does VRLA mean?
  • What is regen and why is it desirable?
• EV PERFORMANCE
  • What kind of speed and range does an EV have?
• PURCHASING ELECTRIC VEHICLES
  • Where can I buy a new EV?
  • Where can I buy a used EV?
  • How much do they cost (new and used)?
  • Should I buy a used EV or build a conversion?
• GENERAL EV QUESTIONS
  • What maintenance is required for an EV?
  • How much does it cost to drive an EV?

Page2

• ...GENERAL EV QUESTIONS
  • What can I do to maximize my range?
  • I'm buying a used EV, what do I need to know to use it?
  • Can I tow an EV a long distance?
• SAFETY
  • What are the safety concerns for working with electric vehicles?
  • What are the safety protocols for avoiding electrical shock?
  • What is a plasma fire? What is the physical mechanism that creates and maintains it? How do you extinguish it?
  • What are the safety protocols for avoiding chemical burns?
  • What do I do in case of a chemical spill?
  • What is the maximum DC voltage that is considered safe to work around?
  • What are some tips on short-proofing tools?
  • What are the guidelines for working around hydrogen? In other words, if my charger didn't shut off all night and I can hear all the batteries gurgling merrily, how do I not blow up the garage?
  • What are the safety protocols for the AC side of the equation when I charge my EV?
  • Is it dangerous to have all those batteries in the car?
  • What about high voltages?
  • What is a GFCI circuit?
  • Is splashing water into the engine compartment safe?
  • Is it safe to wash the engine compartment at a car wash?
  • Are there any special safety features I should include in my conversion?
• BUILDING A CONVERSION
  • How much does it cost to convert an ICE to EV?
  • How do I choose the best car to convert?

Page3

• ...BUILDING A CONVERSION
  • How can I build a very fast/quick EV?
  • How can I build an electric motorcycle?
  • How can I build an electric scooter?
  • Has anyone converted a lawn mower to electric?
• TRANSMISSION & DIFFERENTIAL
  • Can I build an EV with an automatic transmission?
  • Why do I need a transmission?
  • Should I keep the clutch?
  • What are the effects of using one separate motor for each drive wheel? Can I remove the differential to save weight or control the motors to emulate a differential?
• CALCULATIONS
  • How much power will I need? (Calculating power used to move a car)
  • How can I calculate the weight and balance of my conversion project?
  • What kind of range can I expect from my conversion?
• MOTORS
  • What motors are available?
  • Which is better, AC or DC motor?
  • Can I use a surplus aircraft starter/generator for motor?
• BATTERIES
  • What batteries are available?
  • What is the best battery for my EV?
  • What is the proper way to maintain batteries? (Cleaning and filling batteries)
  • How do I design and build a battery box?
  • What is a battery management system?
  • What about battery heaters?

Page4

• ...BATTERIES
  • Which is better, flooded or sealed batteries?
  • How about Ni-Cad batteries?
  • What are the correct charging procedures for a battery?
  • My batteries seem weak, how can I correct this?
  • How do I determine the battery state of charge?
  • What is the proper way to mount and secure batteries?
  • Can I mix old and new batteries?
  • Can I use two different types or sizes of batteries?
  • What is Peukert's Effect, and why should I care?
• CONTROLLERS
  • What is a controller?
  • What controllers are available?
  • How does a DC motor controller work?
  • How does an AC motor controller work?
  • Can I build my own controller?
  • Why does my controller whine?
  • Can I add regen to my DC EV?
  • Do I really need a controller?
  • What about voltage switching and resistor controllers?
• BATTERY CHARGERS
  • What chargers are available?
  • What wiring is required to charge in my garage?

Page5

• ...BATTERY CHARGERS
  • Can I build my own charger?
  • What is power factor correction in a charger and how is it done?
  • How can I quick charge my batteries, will it harm my batteries?
  • What are battery regulators and balancers for?
  • What do battery regulators do, and how do they do it?
  • How do I charge my batteries using a variac?
• DC TO DC CONVERTERS
  • What is a DC to DC converter and why do I need one?
  • What DC to DC converters are available?
  • Why can't I just tap the battery pack?
• TIRES
  • What tires should I buy? ( load ratings and rolling resistance)
• INSTRUMENTATION
  • What kind of gauges do I need in my EV?
  • How do you connect and program an E-meter?
  • What is a battery monitoring system?
• BRAKE AND CHASSIS UPGRADES
  • How do I restore the ride height of my car?
  • What springs should I use?
  • [[How can I improve the brakes?]
• POWER ACCESSORIES
  • How can I keep the power brakes on my conversion?
  • Can I have power steering in an EV?
• COMFORT AND CLIMATE CONTROLS
  • How can I heat my EV?
  • How about air conditioning?

Page6

• HYBRIDS AND RANGE EXTENDERS
  • Can I add a small generator? (APUs and generator trailers)
  • What is a pusher trailer?
  • What is meant by series or parallel hybrid?
  • Can I charge my EV with solar power?
  • Can I put a generator on the un-driven wheels to charge batteries while driving?
  • How about a windmill? (A discussion of basic physics. )
• PUBLIC CHARGING STATIONS
  • How can I connect to the EVI/Avcon public chargers?
  • Can I plug my home built EV into a GM paddle charger?
  • What is Article 625?
  • What is opportunity charging?
  • What is the best way to get my employer to install charging stations?
• EVS AND POLLUTION
  • Don't EVs just move the pollution somewhere else?
  • What about disposing of used batteries?
  • I read that EVs use more fuel than ICE cars, is this true?
• EV INFORMATION RESOURCES
  • Are there any books on how to build an EV?
  • Are there any websites with more info on EVs?
• PARTS SOURCES
  • Where can I buy the parts to build an EV?
• TAXES, INSURANCE AND REGISTRATION
  • Are there any tax incentives for EVs?
  • Who insures EVs?
  • Are there any special fees or requirements to register an EV?