How to Convert Your Gasoline Car into an Electric Car

Hitting two birds in one stone – that is what it would be like when you convert your traditional gasoline car into a homemade electric one. Save yourself from the fluctuating price of gasoline and help promote green projects for a healthy environment. Here’s how:

Choose a car to convert.

• Simplicity

In choosing a traditional car to convert you must pick the one that is not complicated, one that you can find replacement parts easily. Preferable type is a two-seater vehicle weighing under 2000lbs.

• Speed

For faster electric car speed, it would be best for you to choose a traditional car with streamlined aerodynamic rounded body. This would enable the car to have a minimal drag.

• Manual Transmission

Electric motors do not necessarily need transmission. Hence, the manual transmission will serve as a guide tool to electric cars when it comes to speed (speedometer cable) and lights (reverse switch.

• Battery Space

As much as you contemplate that the engine needs enough voltage to power, you must also consider the room where the electric battery will be placed in choosing a car. It would be convenient if there is a battery room that is accessible whenever maintenance is needed. The battery space must also enable the car to have proper weight distribution while on the road.

Assemble a motor.

• Valve-regulated lead-acid battery

Before you start to rebuild the car, you will need to have a primary battery and a backup. With this, you should have a VRLA battery that has a safety pressure relief valve and does not require more water to the cell. Check the nearest car retailer and look for a gel-cell battery.

 

• Lithium Ion Battery

Lithium Ion batteries come in varied amps and voltages. Although this is a more expensive option, you will only need to buy one battery for the setup. You can also choose to buy smaller lithium ion batteries and wire them together.

Remove the old car parts

Bring out your engine crane and cheater bar so that you can remove the old motor and battery parts of the car. It would be helpful if you can use a liquid wrench in slowly working with the rusted bolts.

Then, take out the engine and other gas-related parts like the tank, exhaust and radiator. Leave the breaks, fuse pane, hose, transmission, engine sub-harness and half-shafts.

Install the electric motor and battery 

In installing the electric motor, you will need a custom motor mount and an adapter plate. You can support a new mount to the electric car. However, it would be easier to use the original motor mount since it has dampeners that can avoid engine shock. Put the electric motor inside the car front, mount the controller and install the battery.

Install solar panels.

The solar panel is used as a passive energy to back the battery up. Now that solar prices are decreasing, it would be cost-efficient to install solar panels at the top of the car. This will ensure that you get to produce the energy you need for the headlights and signals.\

Connect ignition to contactor. 

The role of the ignition is to turn on the contactor when the car key turns. Hence, you will need to rewire the ignition, connect the wires to the electrical system and fuse box of the car. You will also need a pedometer to connect the throttle cable into the gas pedal. This gives signal to the controller when it’s time to increase speed.

To make your work much easier, you can purchase a conversion kit that is designed with all the necessary components to work together.

 

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