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Alex King
I cannot decide if I want to wait one more year and get a car, or convert another car to electric like I had planned to do. I am afraid that if my dad and I buy the car for conversion, he will not be as willing to put in as much money for my first real car (we have already decided that he will help pay). Which way should I go?
Answer
What do you want to achieve? How much budget do you have? What sort of driving do you do?
If most of your journeys are long distance, or high speed, then forget electric cars right now: they're not the right power source for the job. If most of your journeys are short and on slower roads, then an electric car is in its ideal environment.
If you are converting a car, you'll probably end up with a car with a range of 40-60 miles and a top speed of 55-60mph (depending, of course, on what budget you have). You will end up with something that is unique, but it will probably be fairly slow.
If most of your driving is in a built up area, then that probably isn't an issue for you. In which case, you can go the self-build route if you want an electric car. If you are using new components, then budget $3-4000 for the conversion, on top of the price of the car: more if you want the latest lithium batteries (between you and me, don't go there: they're troublesome. Stick with lead acid batteries which are a lot easier to implement for a home conversion).
If you want a more practical car, that will have great performance and a decent range, you'll have to go the purchase route. Mitsubishi will have their 'i' electric car out in the US very shortly. I've used one in Europe for a year and it is a very good car. Nissan have their LEAF electric car out now, and again that is a superb car: in Europe, it won 'European Car of the Year' award, as voted by the top automotive journalists across Europe.
I've been driving various different electric cars over the past five years, and before that ran a company selling electric bikes. I am the author of 'The 2011 Electric Car Guide'.
What do you want to achieve? How much budget do you have? What sort of driving do you do?
If most of your journeys are long distance, or high speed, then forget electric cars right now: they're not the right power source for the job. If most of your journeys are short and on slower roads, then an electric car is in its ideal environment.
If you are converting a car, you'll probably end up with a car with a range of 40-60 miles and a top speed of 55-60mph (depending, of course, on what budget you have). You will end up with something that is unique, but it will probably be fairly slow.
If most of your driving is in a built up area, then that probably isn't an issue for you. In which case, you can go the self-build route if you want an electric car. If you are using new components, then budget $3-4000 for the conversion, on top of the price of the car: more if you want the latest lithium batteries (between you and me, don't go there: they're troublesome. Stick with lead acid batteries which are a lot easier to implement for a home conversion).
If you want a more practical car, that will have great performance and a decent range, you'll have to go the purchase route. Mitsubishi will have their 'i' electric car out in the US very shortly. I've used one in Europe for a year and it is a very good car. Nissan have their LEAF electric car out now, and again that is a superb car: in Europe, it won 'European Car of the Year' award, as voted by the top automotive journalists across Europe.
I've been driving various different electric cars over the past five years, and before that ran a company selling electric bikes. I am the author of 'The 2011 Electric Car Guide'.
What sort of material can be shaped for the body of a bike?
Keir Sta
After realizing that building an ultra light weight aircraft would require time that i didn't care to spend, I decided it was maybe time to be a little more realistic. So I am now in the process of building an electric motorcycle, in the design of the "light Cycle" from the Tron movies. I've built the frame and have all the electronics.. buuut I haven't the slightest idea how to design the outer shell.
Sheet metal sounds ideal, but it DOES NOT like to be bent in multiple directions. I need a material that can be shaped without the need for an English-wheel or any other crazy machinery. Just keep in mind that it does not have to be hard or reliable, it's going to be more like a trophy than an actual drivable bike.
Oh and with this economy, lets keep the prices reasonable, okay?
Here's a picture to give you an idea about the shaping that's required.
Answer
As you are building a one-off I would recommend using the fiberglass over foam method. You carve a 3d mock up from conventional insulation foam and then laminate both sides with fiberglass. Then apply a little bondo then a gel coat over it. Unlike with carbon fiber or kevlar fiberglass does not require a pressurized mold, or any mold, and can be laid by hand. this works with any shape including compound curves. If touching resin doesn't appeal to you you might invest in a compressed air powered chopper gun. fiberglass over foam is by far the cheapest method, for something small like a motorcycle you probably wont spend more the 500 bucks for all the materials.
This is how most low budget movie props are made.
Also you should look up Daniel Simon as he designed the new tron bike
here are some of his concept sketches
http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/18j2ra6w95ivojpg/original.jpg
http://www.feelguide.com/2010/12/18/the-design-process-behind-trons-light-cycle/
http://motomalaya.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/TronLegacy_DanielSimon_FlynnsBike_Sketch01.jpg
look around on this site this is where I learned about this method http://www.rqriley.com/frp-foam.htm
This french coach builder uses a similar technique to make cars for autoshows
http://sbarro.perso.neuf.fr/indexgb.html
As you are building a one-off I would recommend using the fiberglass over foam method. You carve a 3d mock up from conventional insulation foam and then laminate both sides with fiberglass. Then apply a little bondo then a gel coat over it. Unlike with carbon fiber or kevlar fiberglass does not require a pressurized mold, or any mold, and can be laid by hand. this works with any shape including compound curves. If touching resin doesn't appeal to you you might invest in a compressed air powered chopper gun. fiberglass over foam is by far the cheapest method, for something small like a motorcycle you probably wont spend more the 500 bucks for all the materials.
This is how most low budget movie props are made.
Also you should look up Daniel Simon as he designed the new tron bike
here are some of his concept sketches
http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/18j2ra6w95ivojpg/original.jpg
http://www.feelguide.com/2010/12/18/the-design-process-behind-trons-light-cycle/
http://motomalaya.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/TronLegacy_DanielSimon_FlynnsBike_Sketch01.jpg
look around on this site this is where I learned about this method http://www.rqriley.com/frp-foam.htm
This french coach builder uses a similar technique to make cars for autoshows
http://sbarro.perso.neuf.fr/indexgb.html
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Title Post: Save for first car or go through with electric car build?
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Rating: 83% based on 9498 ratings. 4 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming T0 My Blog
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