Not so punctual update!

I have been working on the car lately....getting places. Between work, school, my son, and an excess of great live music...I struggled to find the inspiration to update this blog. But alas...after weeks of waiting on backordered parts...I have gotten somewhere. I will add more detail about what has been done thus far....at a later date :)

Batteries!!!!

          Today I ordered my batteries from the store! I have decided to scale down my weight and battery capacity by using 100amp/hr sealed lead acid batteries. I got a decent deal on them from a local Batteries Plus. I originally wanted more capacity within my battery pack, but, the extreme amount of added weight from doubling capacity would have really put a damper on the total ride quality and speed:range ratio in the DuB.

           I scouted some material for mounting the components in the motor compartment as well today. I plan to form and weld Lexan sheeting under the motor compartment to protect from under body debris and water. I also want to use a polycarbonate material as backer panelling over and around the firewall for aesthetics, and as a buffer from straight metal to component contact. I know I can get the sheeting from Home Depot for the under body....we shall see what I conjure up for backer panels. I kind of want them painted or a mural done by one of my artistic friendly's to make for nice presentational wow factor ;)

           I have one week until the batteries arrive...I want the panels finished by then so I can get crackin' on this mamuh jammuh!!!!

Mounting!....and other words

Time to trim this piece of of the transmission. If all goes well, I get to mount the motor!

Just the tip. I swear...that is all that's coming off.

Shiny.....sparkles...hot metal.....America....

A 4 1/2 inch Ryobi disc sander/grinder was purchased for the cut...29.95 at the depot.

After a balancing act with the motor on a jack......success!

Today looks successful indeed. The motor adapter fit onto the tranny with little issue. It took a few nudges with a rubber mallet to get everything snug, but, not too many issues other than minor cuts on the hands. It appears that the coupler is in the right postion as well. To test this I put the transmission into 1st gear and rocked the car to see the electric motor turn successfully! I didn't notice any shaking or shifting from the motor either...so it looks like a job well done for the time being. Celebration in moderation tonight!

Dirty purple gets a bath...

She got a good wash today...

Hey look...a purple mirror ;)

Later tonight I hope to have the motor mounted and ready to wire.

The rear end looks kind of high, maybe it's me though.

Go out and get some love from nature today...it's beautiful outside in OZ.

Day 1.5

I used a bench grinder to shape the square rod that fit between the coupler and the motor shaft.

I was able to attach the shaft coupler to the motor.

I attached the adapter plate to the motor after test fitting it to the transmission.

I need to cut about an inch and a half off of the shaft sticking out of the transmission in order for the coupler to link up properly. After 3 trips to the hardware store and a few good hours of labor and thought..I'm calling it a beer...I mean a day...whatever...I need a beer. More to come!

I suppose an introduction is due...

Hello Friends,

My name is Tony and this is my first blog! This blog is about converting a 73 VW Super Beetle from an old school internal combustion engine over to a new school hybrid(ish)-electric driven motor!

This is a space to for me to consider options and suggestions in this project, as well as place I will certainly be posing ridiculous questions and assertions regularly.

I purchased a kit for this conversion from http://e-volks.com/.
I have mediocre automotive skills and am a current Devry student aiming for an Electronics Degree.
I will be posting photo progress as well as anything else that seems to groove with the grind of this process.
I will be linking to forum posts that I hope get answered. (from multiple sources)

As of today all of the parts from the kit are present and accounted for. I still need a few more parts, tools, and batteries to complete the install properly. I will list them later on in the evening as I further progress in sorting out the particulars. I plan on giving reviews of the products I am using and buying throughout this blog. Enjoy

Initial boring blog post....Completed
Pictures and wit may be waiting for you all...