OT: Looking for big deep cycle/golf cart batteries for electric 924

[Fuzzbeaner]

Hey guys,

Anyone know of a source of cheap deep cycle or golf cart batteries? It's one of the final things I need for the electric conversion. Almost all other parts have been found.

Hopefully someone's seen a great deal on batteries recently and can share. Closer to MA the better.

Oh, and for those of you who havn't been blessed with it yet, here's a link to my electric conversion.

I'll be the coolest highschool student on the block if I can find a battery pack!

-Jeff

[project935]

These guys are located in western PA. If I recall, they supplied a lot of batteries to the golf cart industry.

http://www.turbostart.com/

Good luck

[singpilot]

Since there is no location in your sig, no one knows what might be local to you.

Try www.westmarine.com as well.

[Fuzzbeaner]

Sorry!

When I said "Closer to MA the better" I meant "Massachusetts." Changing the profile now.

-Jeff

[vash]

try calling equipment companies. in particular, the arrow boards used in traffic control have major heavy duty deep cycle batteries. dont even ask how much they cost, but these sucker makes the energizer bunny look like a plain old rodent.

[singpilot]

Ah, I am pretty sure West Marine can even ship the gel batts. That part of the world should have the big 6V ones too. I use the 8D 12V spiral gels on the boat. Pretty good bang for the buck with a great warranty.

[widebody911]

Originally posted by singpilot
I use the 8D 12V spiral gels on the boat. Pretty good bang for the buck with a great warranty.

Sounds just like an Optima...

There was an electric 911 on ebay a while back; I was this ("") close to buying it. Give it the standard lightweight treatment, you'd have a decent commuter.

[svandamme]

what are the specs of the motors , perfomance and all?

[Fuzzbeaner]

Thanks guys, I'll definately look into those sources.

Svandamme, specs are hard to translate from IC to electric due to how the motors are tested. In electric terms it's a 19 HP continuous 60 HP peak motor.

Of course, running it at max will hose batteries quick. The nice thing about the 924 is Porsche engineers determined it only took 15 HP to have it cruise at 55 MPH.

It won't be a fast drive, but as was said, it'll be a nice commuter. Besides, it was just a 924 anyways, it'll prolly end up faster!

J/k 924 lovers, I love em too.

-Jeff

[svandamme]

sounds pretty decent for normal driving
what kind of autonomy do you think you can get out of it?

are you doing anything else , weight reductions?
do you hook the engine up to the existing tranny or direct drive? on the rear axle ( dunno how that normally works )

what kinda of costs are you looking at?

EDIT

some thing that come to mind

plug the radiator intake, smoothen things out
form a good overlap to the underside of the car ,flatten it too , and seal the bottom of the engine bay . that should reduce the drag to a minimum ( at the speed you'll be running , i don't think downforce is an issue )


solar panels ?! the 924 has a big hood, combined with the roof , i think you might be able to fit some solar panels, even if they can't fully charge the car, it gives some extra autonomy
(dunno bout the price tag though)

[Fuzzbeaner]

Svandamme, you've just listed off all my goals for this car once I get it up and running. Clogging up the radiator ports and engine bay underside was actually an idea that came to me this weekend. Turns out the motor only need a 3 inch diameter tube for cooling air, so I can really make the car more aerodynamic. I was sorta pondering putting a GTS Hood Scoop on and having that be the only air intake on the thing buttt, we'll see.

Weight reduction is something I also want to tackle, and solar panels too. Solar is unfortunately not even close to able to power the car, but having a trickle charge in a parking lot and getting a few more miles would certainly be nice.

Ohhh the plans I have. But first things first - I need batteries and a running car! THEN comes the performance and bonus range and speed!

And come they will.

Drive is via the old driveshaft and tranny. Costs are looking to be 2000ish for the whole job, including car, but I have been blessed with sponsors and the like. It would probably be 6000ish otherwise. I encourage you to check out the site for details, I have some schnazzy pics!

-Jeff

[chuckw951]

Well not solar panels, but check with solar power companies. The tree huggers use fat deep cycle batteries to store up power.

Check homepower.com for links to solar power type companies. Homepower magazine (you can download the current issue for free) has classifieds for used equipment including batteries.

Might be worth a look.

[svandamme]

just checked you site , it wasn't accesible earlier

lol , first repair , the hood emblem

that was my first too on my green bugger

i'm not gonna convert to electrics just yet, i'll be converting to carbs instead ... (i can't recharge my car, i live in an appartement block with no garage)

[Fuzzbeaner]

Well one step at a time! Electric cars (when working) are very cool for short commutes and stuff. Environmentally sound, far less cost to run, and a schnazzy way to attract attention.

Not to mention a helluva project to undertake and show people in Porsche forums. :-p

Chuck, I'll look into those. I was hoping someone would have knowledge of some off-duty backup batteries or something that's ultra-cheap, but that's really wishful thinking.

Ohhh well, thanks yall!

-Jeff

[chuckw951]

Good luck on your project. By the way I was looking at the recent issue of home power and there is an advertiser that sells parts for EV conversions. In case you haven't seen this sight yet:

http://www.electroauto.com/

Apparently they have a 914 kit.

[Fuzzbeaner]

Thanks for the tip! I've actually been bugging that guy a lot about getting a sponsorship from him.

No luck yet, but I have high hopes!

-Jeff