All about the money :)

[Jon]

I'm just getting started with a project to convert my ute into an EV. I've been told an AC51 motor would work well for my vehicle. I was wondering if anyone had a ballpark figure of what this motor and controller would cost in Australia.

[Richo]

supposedly $7,425
https://www.evworks.com.au/hpevs-ac-51- ... roller-kit

[Jon]

Okay, that seems reasonable... I've been recommended a good solution would be to buy a full assembly taken out from a hillclimber, the guy what's to upgrade their vehicle... This particular motor has had very little use and the entire kit would include, AC51 motor, samsung batteries (still trying to find out exactly what kind), Zeva core and boards, Evnetics throttle, fuses, contactors, 144v charger, drive shaft yolk and battery boxes... The asking price is $23 000. I'm really a noob when it comes to electric vehicles and I'm just trying to figure out if this is a good price. The batteries and motor do not have a warranty which I find a bit concerning... but perhaps that's standard?

[brendon_m]

Depending on the batteries it seems a bit rich to me.
Some ball park figures(you can definitely do a lot of these cheaper)
Motor/controller $7500
Charger $1000
Fuses contactors etc $500
Bms $1000
Battery cables $250
Adapter plates, couplers etc $500
Battery boxes?
Cells $500 per kwh

[Jon]

Hey thanks! The batteries are units composed of Samsung 25R cells. 3000 of them.

[jonescg]

Hey thanks! The batteries are units composed of Samsung 25R cells. 3000 of them.

I gotta see a picture of this...

[Jon]

For sure if I buy it ... I get the feeling though that the battery assembly isn't standard practice?

[francisco.shi]

Where are you?

[jonescg]

For sure if I buy it ... I get the feeling though that the battery assembly isn't standard practice?

Most of us don't have the patience to put thousands of cells together like this, so I'm keen to see how it was done.

[Richo]

It probably is good value for what it is but I doubt the batteries suit your purpose.
Unless you intend to do hill racing in your ute.
There would be better value batteries around to give more range and less power.

the entire kit would include ... drive shaft yolk

You weren't intending to run this direct drive were you?
I doubt the AC51 has the torque for direct drive.

[Jon]

So I live in Canberra.

I was really surprised that the battery consists of so many cells, from a layman's perspective it doesn't seem like the best way to construct a battery, but then again I'm sure there's method to the madness. I can't help but think of those youtube videos where they crack open a 6volt battery and there's all these aa batteries inside

By direct drive is that to say to bypass the gearbox? I mean that would be ideal, and the conversation I had with the fellow who is selling this setup indicated it would have the guts to do so... but in a sense I don't really have a 'plan' yet. As much fun as carving up a hill in my ute would be... the coming back down probably wouldn't be as much fun... especially as it doesn't have seatbelts... So yes... more range and less power would be great.

[Jon]

I'll ask for a picture of the battery setup.

[Richo]

By direct drive is that to say to bypass the gearbox?
I mean that would be ideal, and the conversation I had with the fellow who is selling this setup indicated it would have the guts to do so

The AC-51 is rated for 155Nm Peak.
This is similar to a 2L petrol motor.
Going direct drive would mean driving around a 2L ute stuck in 4th gear.
It's possible but it would be lack lustre.

It would be fine for replacing a 2L vehicle that has manual gearbox.
So you would have the extra cost of motor shaft coupler to gearbox and adapter plate to bell housing.

[Richo]

I was really surprised that the battery consists of so many cells, from a layman's perspective it doesn't seem like the best way to construct a battery, but then again I'm sure there's method to the madness.

It cuts down on weight and the battery pack can be shaped to maximise space.
Barring racing or a motorbike it's not worth doing.