Saturday, January 3, 2009

The 144V Open Source EV Controller.


Of all the interesting people I have met in my Eco-Adventures, many of them are from over the internet. I only know them by screen name and YouTube video.

Yet at the same time, many of these people have been amazingly supportive and helpful in my projects.

One of these people is Paul.

This summer he was converting a VW Bug to electric at the same time I was, and with about the same budget, on a substitute teachers salary. He chronicled his adventures with clever wit entertaining enough to keep you coming back to check on how his car was doing, whether or not you are even into EV's. His mechanical skills were even less than mine, which was encouraging. If he can convert a Beetle, I MUST be able to convert a Metro.

In a shocking twist, Paul is far better with electronics than he ever let on.

He is currently working on an Open Source project for an EV motor controller.

The concept is simple. Bring down the cost of home electric vehicle conversions by designing a higher-voltage motor controller, build it, and share the parts list, parts supplier, schematics, and all the other tips of how to build one yourself.

Paul is back at school and short on time and money. The time, well, we all have the same 24 hours in a day... As for the money, I think we all know that teachers are paid far less than they should be.

That's why I propose we all pass a few dollars Paul's direction. Put a few bucks in the virtual tin can to support the idea of us doing something for ourselves instead of waiting for Detroit, or expecting the Government to take care of us.

See that DONATE  button on the top-right of the screen? You want to click it, you know you do. Go ahead, all the money goes straight over to Paul to buy parts for the project.

Adopt a Mosfet. You'll be glad you did.

-Ben


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2 comments:

  1. Where can I read about Pauls VW Bug project?

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  2. You can read about the EV bug at Pauls Build Thread on Ecomodder:
    http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/paul-sabrinas-cheap-ev-conversion-2373.html

    You can see quick specs on the car at DIY Electric Car Forums:
    http://www.diyelectriccar.com/garage/cars/48

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