On Tue, 30 Jun 2015 14:15:42 -0700, Larry Jaques
wrote:

On Mon, 29 Jun 2015 20:21:30 -0400, wrote:

On Mon, 29 Jun 2015 17:53:52 -0400, "Jim Wilkins"
wrote:

wrote in message
...

The controller on my '75 Fiat 128 conversion was dead seimple
voltage switcher with switched resistance - 2 battery packs in
parallel through resistor - short resistor, switch packs to series
through resistor, short resistor - then weaken field with rheostat -
motor was a military surplus aircraft generator.

Was it practical in city traffic?


It was actually pretty good. I ran 8 GC2H 215AH golf cart batteries,
so 24 volts for startup, and 48 for cruise - through the Fiat 4 speed
transmission with no clutch. 50 miles at 30mph, 30 miles at 50mph -
slightly less in city traffic. Could spin the tires taking off in

Har!


first with the small motor. In an attempt to get more power and more
range, I installed a bigger motor, and it became almost undriveable -
I needed a better controller because even on 24 volts through the
resister it could smoke the tires - pulling away in second was more
civilized but I had to be carefull I didn't pop the breaker (set to
400 amps or 600 instantaneous). The breaker was a big paddle right
behind the shifter between the seats.

Why no clutch, or equiv?


Why? Didn't need it. Just remove power from motor and shift. No need
for starting either - put it in gear, mash the pedal and go - maximum
torque at zero RPM, unlike IC engines. I still had the clutch peral,
but all it did was disconnect power.
In storage over the winter someone disconnected the battery maintainer
and I lost most of my battery pack - and being a 7 year old FIAT the
rust-worm had done a number on the undercarriage- so it sat another
year and then was scrapped. Still have the motor and contactors, and I
think the breaker.

Bummer on the loss.