ECrate- Looks like it's here

[pmax]

Originally Posted by Captain Ahab Jr

I really hope it's just a mock up for publicity photos

Wasn't thinking of the foam blocks but.....

All the over length lid mounting bolts that caught my eye first, then spotted no heat shrink on the low voltage connector leaving exposed individual wires

Also the self adhesive ty-wrap mountings and ty-wraps on the t-joint on the yellow tubing don't look a secure enough solution

While I'm on a roll what's going on with the crooked right hand high voltage connector, uneven seal gap between the lid and lower battery housing and the cooling hose clamps look like they could easily rub/damage the neighboring hose

It's all just nasty, real nasty With the right level of attention to detail none of these issues should have ever made it through the design/build process

I was thinking along the lines of ... there goes the cargo compartment.

The yellow tubing I would guess is for venting of the battery gases just in case they get cooked but that doesn't explain why the main section does not have the venting tubes, just the foam blocks which appear to be inserted into openings in the main battery compartment or perhaps there're internal venting tubes which route to the same outlet. The high voltage wiring goes under the chassis I suppose.

[gtc]

I think Tesla could crush it if they released a crate motor and controller kit.
Mounting the drive unit and plumbing the cooling is the easy part.

[pmax]

Originally Posted by gtc

I think Tesla could crush it if they released a crate motor and controller kit.
Mounting the drive unit and plumbing the cooling is the easy part.

Still need space for the massive battery pack.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I think packaging will be a challenge in a classic. Will the battery pack be modular? Because otherwise that’s going to be a challenge for use in retrofits.

Something that I saw said that the battery pack was from a Chevy Volt. I think that's as modular as it gets. That's what makes me wonder how that's going to fit into anything other than trucks and vans.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by pmax

I was thinking along the lines of ... there goes the cargo compartment.

The yellow tubing I would guess is for venting of the battery gases just in case they get cooked but that doesn't explain why the main section does not have the venting tubes, just the foam blocks which appear to be inserted into openings in the main battery compartment or perhaps there're internal venting tubes which route to the same outlet. The high voltage wiring goes under the chassis I suppose.

My guess is that all of the gas "floats" (hydrogen is light) to the front tall portion of the compartment and then vents through the hose. I think those foam blocks are for some panel or something to sit on top of the battery.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by pmax

Still need space for the massive battery pack.

And aren't most of the battery packs in most of the EVs big flat boxes like this that are usually under the car (no need for drive shaft tunnel, gas tank, etc...).

[fanaudical]

I think this could be commercially successful if they offer motor, controller, and battery pack components separately. I could see purchasing parts in that fashion (assuming the price is right) to update an older commuter car. This would be fun in something like a Volvo 240 sedan.

[Zeke]

With CA heading towards all electric cars, gas for the future generations could be very expensive and not too socially correct. This way they can drive grampa's old classic and be hip.

I'd love one in a 914. Or even the Boxster should the thing let go.

[Rob Channell]

I would like to try one of these, but the price and the price of batteries.......

https://www.evwest.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=47&products_id=476&osCsid=tb5dlupsn9efvfk2n4hdb32t12

[RWebb]

a guy built a Chevy Bolt unit into a VW Vanagon

then he drove it on a big tour all around the lower 48

only issue was no range extender so he had to plan to stop for the night near a charger

[Sooner or later]

A typical driving day was:
Full charge in the morning, drive 220 km, stop to charge 6h or 7h and drive another 200 km or so to the charge station for the night.
By chance we only did this 15-20 days during our two months trip.
The best days was: Full charge in the morning, drive 100 km, hike, drive 50, lunch, drive 50, hike, drive to the campground for a dinner and full the van overnight

A working fast charge is a must... I will work on this.

15 500 km trip without problem with the van.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by Captain Ahab Jr

Really hope that is not the best GM can do as it's a seriously amateur attempt

Just looking at the quality of the installation of the visible parts makes me glad I can't see what's going on inside the battery box

From my memory that's exactly what the Volt/Bolt batteries looked like.

[flipper35]

I think for SEMA they wanted everything to show.

[gtc]

Here's a good video that goes through the EV West conversion.
Seems like a pretty good installation, but things like fast charging and regenerative braking are not addressed in the video.

https://youtu.be/ZQfkojLhY7U

Also realize that for the price of the EV West conversion or Elephant Racing Hybrid install, you could buy a brand new Tesla.

Originally Posted by pmax

Still need space for the massive battery pack.

[sugarwood]

Did anyone catch a price figure for this upcoming eCrate ?

[mattdavis11]

Doesn't seem logical to me. Vintage K5's, Ram chargers, and Broncos pretty much need a gasoline or diesel engine. Kind of hard to wash deer blood/mud out of the rear with all those batteries and electrical connections there.

[group911@aol.co]

Cause that's what you're using your vintage car for??

Originally Posted by mattdavis11

Doesn't seem logical to me. Vintage K5's, Ram chargers, and Broncos pretty much need a gasoline or diesel engine. Kind of hard to wash deer blood/mud out of the rear with all those batteries and electrical connections there.

[mattdavis11]

Yep. K5 Blazer is a hunting/off-road vehicle around these parts.

[sugarwood]

Originally Posted by mattdavis11

Doesn't seem logical to me. Vintage K5's, Ram chargers, and Broncos pretty much need a gasoline or diesel engine. Kind of hard to wash deer blood/mud out of the rear with all those batteries and electrical connections there.

Since when can you not wash a Tesla, or drive it in the rain? Clueless.