08.11.09
Posted in AC 24, Aquisition, Assembly, Batteries, Body and Fender, DMOC, Design, Drive Train, High Voltage System, Low Voltage System, Road Test at 5:30 pm by Administrator
On Aug 9th 2009 (yours truly’s birthday) I had a few friends over for a bar-b-que. Each one got to ride in Evie down the block and back again, for a total of 6 trips. The batteries are still ready for another run. I sent my battery charger to Sacramento for re-calibration. It was set up for 18 8V batteries, and I am using 12 12V batteries. When I get it back I will fully charge the batteries and see what this baby will do. I am wearing a large smile these days just knowing I am so close to seeing a dream become a reality. In case you are wondering what ever became of the two Bradley’s I was using for parts, here is the answer. I gave the rust bucket gray beast to Greg at Bugformance of Stockton as a core for the brand new transmission Evie is sporting now. I asked him at the time if he would let me have parts as needed and he could keep the rest. Well the darn thing sat in his yard for about 1 year I had taken the top and one of the doors off of it and then he finally he sold it or gave it away to a guy named Jon Connolly. He also told Jon about me and that I might have some “spare parts” for a Bradley. I had a whole car (remember the white one I bought for parts?) so I gave him the other Bradley… Actually that is not quite right, we bartered. He is going to paint my car. He has won awards for his paint jobs. I have decided to paint her Wimbledon White with a Blue GT 40 racing stripe. The pictures below were taken on the day I put Evie’s windshield in.
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08.04.09
Posted in AC 24, Aquisition, Assembly, Batteries, Body and Fender, DMOC, Design, Drive Train, High Voltage System, Low Voltage System, Relay Board, Restore, Road Test, Sub Frame at 6:43 pm by Administrator
Today August 4th 2009 at 1435 PDT Evie moved on her own power. I threw a seat in her (didn’t even bolt it in and a steering wheel on her (again, no bolt) and started her up and drove her down the driveway and down the street and back. Then I backed her up the driveway and into her stall. I did this a total of two times. It has been a long road to get to this point but we are here. Here are some photos of Evie on her Maiden Voyage Day.
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03.29.09
Posted in AC 24, Aquisition, Assembly, Batteries, Body and Fender, DMV, Design, Drive Train, Restore, Sub Frame, Teardown, Time Off at 5:49 am by Administrator
It has been one year since the The California Air Resources Board Voted for me to build an electric car… Lets review. The big 3 auto industry was not helped by the decision as hoped. Tesla however is still on track in spite of the decision CARB made last year. We have voted out the money grubbing, war waging greed mongers. In desperation for an identity, Rush Limbaugh has become the voice of the Republican Party (Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha). We have voted in a man with a vision, intelligence, fortitude, and a realistic plan…Finally! As for the car, The chassis is 98% finished, The body is 50% finished, and I have all of the Parts to finish the entire unit. I have had some wonderful support from friends and family and would now like to thank them.
Thank You
Don and Dolores Bush
Belia Hawkins
Joel Hawkins
Tom Ceirante
Dave Haggland
Greg Hawkins of Bugformance of Stockton
Nancy
Mike and Sheri of Electro Automotive
Jim Cullen
Sean Ryan
Ken Henn
Bruce
Frank
All of the kids across the street
My dog Molly, and her cats, Manx, Tiger, El Sluggo, TC, and Sable
I truly value your love and, the support you have shown throughout this process so far. Thank You from the deepest of my feelings. “Keep On Pluggin”
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03.26.09
Posted in Aquisition, Body and Fender at 3:50 am by Administrator
I would like to say a word or two about moldless composite construction… The bead I mixed to glue the top onto the body was composed of West Systems Epoxy, cotton micro fibers, and glass bubbles for smoothness and thickness. Once this mixture was in place and dry it was firm and held the top in a permanent fashion. In order to remove the top I literally had to chisel the Ol’ Topper off (with a hammer and chisel), then sand smooth to prepare the car for the replacement. As I stated previously, I will be using the top and doors from the Donor car. I have totally forgiven the Grey Beast for mangling my hands. All wounds heal. I hope the merger of the two vehicles will be a harmonious one.
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03.23.09
Posted in Aquisition, Assembly, Body and Fender, Design, Restore, Teardown at 11:34 pm by Administrator
Well after glassing the top on, I attempted to fit the doors. They wouldn’t line up properly. (They have never lined up properly) I went to Bugformance of Stockton and and asked Greg if I could use one of the doors off of the “Grey Beast” He agreed and I attempted to fit the door . It too wouldn’t fit The problem seems to be only on one side. The solution… I am going to use the top and door assy from the donor car. This should solve the problem. Just to remind you, here’s a photo of the donor car.
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06.11.08
Posted in Aquisition at 11:33 pm by Administrator
Ordered new stainless steel clamps from Nancy and Greg at Bugformance. Vacation over, back to work.
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05.13.08
Posted in Aquisition at 1:34 pm by Administrator
I picked up the hammer and WOW! Does this baby work! I thought I would try to pull one bearing (the one I ripped yesterday) before work. I wound up pulling the remaining three within about 12 min. It took me longer to set up the hammer then it did to pull the bearings. The hammer is perfect for this job. It has a three prong puller attachment which allows the user to pull the bearing straight out by tapping with the slide. No damage to the axle beam.
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