Transplanting running gear from a Leaf to ?

Post by **jalovick** » Fri, 08 Apr 2016, 00:08

Hi,

This is my first post and what I'm sure is going to be a journey into the EV and maybe off-grid world.

I've been looking around at Nissan Leaf battery packs, after discussing with a member about the packs in his Mk1 MR2, and began to wonder if anyone had considered transplanting the entire running gear of a Nissan Leaf to another vehicle?

The way I see it, the upsides would be:
- It's well established technology, all designed to work together
- Depending on the wrecker, parts can be cheap
- The Leaf engine module is standardized

Potential downsides
- Mounting of batteries
- Working with a 360v battery pack.
- Weight distribution
- Getting it approved/registered (I'm in NSW, but SA is an option)

On the home energy storage side, I've just read about someone using Leaf packs in their solar system - http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=17879

I'd be interested in everyone's thoughts.

Thanks

Jamie

Post by **jonescg** » Fri, 08 Apr 2016, 05:08

Hi Jamie, welcome aboard! High voltage battery packs aren't scary. Just build them right and you won't look back. The pack on my race bike is 700 V fully charged...
Ask Graeme Manietta about mounting them. Michael Day and Mark Taylor will be very helpful guys to have around.

Post by **jalovick** » Fri, 08 Apr 2016, 07:25

Thank you.

I spoke to Michael last weekend at the Mighty Car Mods Nationals at Sydney Dragway. It was him that mentioned the Leaf batteries.

I'm a little way off doing something, but am curious what people are doing and what challenges they might have faced.

Post by **reecho** » Fri, 08 Apr 2016, 17:08

There is a youtube video of a complete Leaf drivetrain out of a car...mounted on a peg board running. I think it's doable if the right donor car is chosen.

There would be a few niggles of course such as ABS speed sensors and the like..

Post by **tassie_tiger** » Fri, 08 Apr 2016, 22:29

http://www.diyelectriccar.com/forums/sh ... 48730.html

http://www.diyelectriccar.com/forums/sh ... 51458.html

Post by **jalovick** » Sat, 09 Apr 2016, 17:10

Looks complex, but cool though. It's good that someone else has gone first to work all of this out ..

Post by **carnut1100** » Mon, 22 Aug 2016, 05:07

There are also solutions becoming available that will allow the use of a Leaf drive train with a standalone controller.

Post by **Richo** » Mon, 22 Aug 2016, 20:36

jalovick wrote:On the home energy storage side, I've just read about someone using Leaf packs in their solar system -
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=17879

Is there a constant reliable source of good leaf cells?
What is their cost?

Post by **Adverse Effects** » Tue, 23 Aug 2016, 01:23

just out of intrest what is a new leaf pack worth?

because the last price i saw per "unit" was used $190 + shipping and there is 48 (?) units in a pack?

190 x 48 = $9120 that has to be more than a new pack

Post by **Richo** » Tue, 23 Aug 2016, 03:52

Any takers on busting up your leaf so I can buy the cells cheap

Post by **Richo** » Tue, 23 Aug 2016, 05:11

http://www.eco-aesc-lb.com/en/product/liion_ev/

I love the inquiry page:
No you can't have battery
No you can't have sample
No you can't have a tour

I'd like to work for their sales department

Part number is 295B9 if you're googling...

Post by **brunohill** » Sun, 10 Mar 2019, 10:20

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xjG_AcFs70

Post by **Tremelune** » Thu, 13 Jun 2019, 02:29

I'm still in the process of getting mine working, but it's becoming fairly common. The summation of my research and tribulations is here:

https://www.diyelectriccar.com/forums/s ... p?t=199847

Using the whole car is a bit of a pain, but not crazy, and very cost effective for all that you get (strong AC motor, 8:1 gear reduction, 100+ km range, fast charging, BMS, HVAC). There are also aftermarket controllers available, though they can be involved in different ways, and have some limitations.

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