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Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:22 pm

Hi All. I'm planning an electric conversion to use as a commuter car. My plan is to use a '73-'77 7-person bus. I'm very interested in finding one with a sunroof as well, however, after reading a lot of reviews of the factory sunroofs and leaking issues, I wanted to know what others thought? I'm going with the '73-'77 model year because I believe they have front disk brakes, and the '78 is a heavier body? also, I've been told that the '73 on has vacuum assist brakes as well. and I've been told that the 68-71 years are not as "safe", but they do weigh 400lbs less. Please let me know any/all your opinions on this...I'll start up a new post once the conversion begins. i am aware of the few folks that have done similar conversions and have been in contact with them. Just want all of YOUR opinions as well :) thx.

Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:27 pm

Hey welcome, you should search a bit because there is a guy who just posted up his electric bus project in Oregon a few months back, he could give you pointers. Disc brakes started in '71 and its a bus not a van :wink:

Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:28 pm

not sure that a bus is that great of a choice considering the weight of the beast. Most electric car conversions I have seen have been small cars. Bu then, who knows, might work. My choice would be an Isetta.

Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:47 pm

If I was to do a electric vehicle, it would be a plug in hybrid. Have a battery pack big enough get me to my short destinations and a generator to cover anything beyond that.

The beauty of this system is you could cover most of your driving off electric, without the mile limit of a battery pack. You could even kick in the generator for more acceleration if you wanted.

Deron.

Wed Aug 20, 2008 4:46 pm

There is a company (eVolks I think) that offers an entire kit, including the motor, trans adapter, controller and all the wiring to convert any A/C VW into a full electric. I looked into it carefully, but the appropriate kit for a bus was around $4000 and up, plus you need something like 12-18 12 volt batteries (to get 144 volts or more). The bus just doesn't lend itself to the conversion well, mostly because of weight and air drag. You can get a smaller, cheaper kit that will bolt up to a Bug and will cost a little over $2000. Check out ShopTalkForums website and look under Conversion Perversions- there is some stuff there.

Wed Aug 20, 2008 5:30 pm

Several 914's have been done and works well...2000lb sports car with a few more lbs of batteries.

Where would you put all the batteries? Install some hanging boxes in the floor?

Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:33 pm

the bus has the perfect frame/suspension for battery power, as you can load it up for lots of range and still have capacity for passengers/cargo. but the beauty ends there. the body is poorly shaped for aerodynamics, and the steel is heavy. all the bus needs is rounded front and rear for vastly improved aerodynamics. lowering, flush glass, underbody, wheelhouse, and tire fairing offer even more improvement.

starting with all fiberfab construct would reduce big weight if not done with a chopper gun, but instead- laid up cloth. this would result in a E-bus that is comparable in weight as a stock empty bus. double wall composites with a hex core of kevlar gives crash strength comparable to steel and more. this is what race car hulls are made of- nearly indestructable.

1 or 2 speeds is all thats needed. using the stock 4 speed trans will drag 15% out of the motors' output. planetary gears are compact enough that both lube drag and weight are minimized. no electric energy storage system should be without buffering capacitors to quickly absorb all the current produced from regen braking. this however, requires a computer :( not really homemade friendly. two cylinder diesel for on board recharge, and again the bus suspension will handle that.

Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:38 pm

I would look for a single cab and put the batteries in the lower section.

And please! put the ' before the numbers. Otherwise you are saying you want to electrify a 73 FEET long bus.....

Wed Aug 20, 2008 11:40 pm

Quote: And please! put the ' before the numbers. Otherwise you are saying you want to electrify a 73 FEET long bus.....
Thanks Karl- I hate seeing that ! 8)