ZEV240... | Electric Handmade Car | bdc

What's in a bespoke EV instruction manual?

Sun, 04 May 2014 22:17:12 +0800

Well before finishing ZEV240 I had been planning to build a set of instructions to help me in managing this particular EV.

I realised the original manuals were going to be largely irrelevant, esp. the motor bits, but even items like the driving advice, heating and a/cond interactions and so on would be different. …

The hidden e in Toyota

Sun, 20 Apr 2014 00:07:25 +0800

A fellow AEVA member pointed out that there was an 'e' in Toyota, and I should make use of it. Does this mean all toyotas are inherently electric? or is that 'electronic', as in e-learning..

Anyways, I have slapped a bit of paint on their logo to make the letter 'e' more obvious. …

Controller settings and traction batteries

Mon, 31 Mar 2014 08:14:32 +0800

" I've realised that the settings can be tweaked to either maximise battery life OR power at the wheels, and now I know what I prefer "

Most good controllers allow you change of their settings easily enough. On the 1000A Zilla controller in the ZEV240, you simply plug your laptop in to an ethernet plug. In fact you can even make changes whilst driving; but the safety people would prefer that …

MR240 Unique Sales Details

Thu, 09 Jan 2014 21:08:52 +0800

Won't there be big problems buying a unique car like your EV? Unlikely - actually it is probably a good decision to go electric, for most people - read why...

THE zero-emissions vehicle called MR240 is certainly unique, but not unusual - there are more electric car conversions per head in WA than any other state; the association of Electric Vehicle enthusiasts (Australian EV Association, AEVA) is busier in WA than almost any other state, and prospects for EVs are improving all the time. …

What I've learned about managing a traction battery

Tue, 12 Nov 2013 16:17:54 +0800

Every EV owner knows that the condition of their traction pack trumps everything. If its working well, the car is fine, if its playing up then you have problems.

Managing the traction pack is a first-order skill for any EV driver.

nov13

I always knew that the 45 batteries that make up my traction pack were a critical part of the 'engine' that drives my car. Sadly that didn't translate into intelligent action when I didn't heed (or even see) the BMS's Warning Light when it started coming on. …

Would you sell MR240, the EV?

Wed, 09 Oct 2013 16:09:15 +0800

Im often asked if I would sell the MR240 EV, and the truth is, as I explain below and if I had to, then yes, even if sadly.

Although it is great fun to drive a small sports car, my partner finds it is a long way down, and she says it a getting harder to get in and out of our EV, the MR240 sports car.

Her knees are saying 'enough', so it might not be long...

oct13

I didn't plan to make a whole blog entry about this but the question came up on a day when someone's knees complained a little more than they should. Normally it is not a problem, but this day I thought that perhaps its time I let someone else enjoy the MR240 EV as much as I do!

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Servicing an EV? A checklist?

Mon, 09 Sep 2013 16:08:27 +0800

Finding an auto mechanic with an interest in things electrical, or an auto electrician with mechanical skiils may not be hard, but then again it may be.

I seem to have found the perfect setup - a mechanical service I've know and trusted for years, with a recent interest in EVs… if only I had asked them before now!

Sep13

I've been looking for a local mechanic or auto electrician who could help with the ongoing maintenance of ZEV240. The major issue is whether it needs a specialist. Here is what I have resolved so far.

The standard joke is that the wiper blades still need replacement, even if they wear out a bit slower than the tyres :-). …

Easy tracking ZEV consumption

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 12:00:34 +0800

Nov2012

One of the challenges in driving and managing an EV is tracking usage. Although I have a 'petrol gauge' which tracks capacity, there are more questions to answer: Have I driven better than average today? What is my rolling estimate for distance per full charge?

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ZEV and Range Anxiety Myth?

Sat, 26 Mar 2011 12:00:30 +0800

I do not worry about the distance I can travel nearly as much as the people who ask me, clearly thinking its the most important issue. But for me, a user, I know what is reasonable, and it works.
But the recent advent of free public charging is a game-changer - it could turn the range issue on its head!

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ZEV-240 acts AND talks Green

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 11:45:36 +0800

The MR240v met Green’s senator Lynn MacLaren, MLC. Here they are at South Beach.
As well as showing understanding of the machine, Lynn also demonstrated her commitment to the same issues important to Mr240

THE ZEV240V MACHINE & LYNN MACLAREN, MLC …