Opinions on these Electric car conversion kits

[morph999]

This Kit $3000 and claims it includes everything but the batteries. What are your opinions on it.

...sorry about the link...I don't know if it's malware or not so better be safe...

The website is made by wilderness energy if anyone wants to look it up. I assumed my Avira virus was just giving false readings like usual but I don't know.

 

[Link]

Avast gives me a malware alarm. :|

 

[TylerDurden]

Chrome flagged the above EV site as infected... exercise due diligence.

From EValbum.com:

This conversion started as a kit from Wilderness EV. They have terrible service. They do not stand behind the warranty they offer and they never return phone calls. All this company wants is your money and they could care less about your project. Do not do business with them. The motor that they claimed would drive a 3500 lbs car burnt up after 86 miles in a 2400 lbs car. Both Wilderness and D&D motors would not stand behind their product. They actually wanted me to pay for it to be rebuilt at an additional 875 dollars. I have replaced this piece of junk motor with a reliable 8 inch Advanced DC motor. It out performs the D&D hands down. When I puchased the Advanced DC motor, I asked about the D&D motor. They told me it was only good as a performance golf cart motor. Don't be fooled by false advertising from Wilderness EV. The ES-31b motor is a waste of your money.

http://www.evalbum.com/1741

 

[spinningmagnets]

If I was going to convert an EV today with a modest performance goals and a real-world budget, I would do a Chevy S-10/Ford Ranger conversion, like this one:

http://evhelp.com/S10_Conversion.htm

I seem to remember it can be done for under $10K for everything, after you acquire a donor vehicle. With a fried engine, a donor can be had for under $1,000. The cheapest batteries are of course, lead/acid, but for longer ranges a series-hybrid trailer can easily be made as a range extender.

 

[morph999]

Avast gives me a malware alarm. :|

me too...I ignored it...should I have? crap...

 

[Malcolm]

I don't know anything about the reliability of the seller, but they do clearly say that "45 to 50 mph would be your normal top average driving speeds with this kit", which sounds about right. If you're planning to convert a bug and only want a neighbourhood vehicle then this motor would be good enough, although it would be a good idea to add a blower ducted into the commutator end for peace of mind.

 

[morph999]

well, Wilderness energy quotes the kit as $3000. I've since found two other companies in the business of doing it and they quote $16000 and another quotes $10000 so I think Wilderness Energy probably does not give a very good kit.