Kearon's EV Capri

Here's the news:
The EV Capri is ALIVE!!!!
I took it for a test drive up the road with Paul and Duncan as passengers: all went well.
Things to do:
Think about a manual steering rack....it's a bit heavy, but that of course, is with crappy old tyres.
Put the Brake Vacuum Booster in a soundproof box - the buzzing kills the fun..+ a bigger canniser.
Install HID lighting, and LEDS for tail lights...
And of course, install the EV instrumentation!

So, yep - it goes!!!! (episode....hmm...as soon as I get the 4 eps before it done!)

Post by **Striker** » Fri, 16 Jan 2009, 06:17

Just remember to switch the LEDs back to normal globes for your blueslip.
LED lighting, last I heard, was not ADR compliant.

Fantastic to hear you took it for a spin.
I could hear the EV-grin in your voice when you phoned to tell me

--Striker.

Post by **Electrocycle** » Fri, 16 Jan 2009, 06:17

good stuff!

Post by **acmotor** » Fri, 16 Jan 2009, 06:55

My dicussions with DPI suggest that LEDs and HIDs are only a permitted modification if the entire lamp/lens/reflector assembly is changed. i.e. just changing the bulb is not acceptable.

Drat ! EVs should have all those things.

You can see (haha) the point though. Lens / reflector design is important to function (an other drivers glare).

You could try to get your's passed, the inspector may be too interested in your other handywork, but have the globes in the glovebox and a screwdriver handy just in case.

Post by **Valen** » Fri, 16 Jan 2009, 07:28

I cant see led indicators causing problems provided it makes enough light.
IF you do go that route you will probably need to change the "blink" module as well, often they use the current flowing through them as a part of the bit that makes it do the blinking.

HID lights aren't permitted unless they are in a housing that does self leveling and has a "cleaner" AKA "windscreen washer for your headlights".

I reckon all the legal mumbo jumbo can get bent, go do it and adjust the lights so they don't flash other drivers ;->

If your interested in some "ebay specials" I would be interested in sharing the shipping ;->

Post by **Kearon** » Fri, 16 Jan 2009, 14:50

Hey Valen, email me thru evcapri.com, and we'll do it. I'm thinking I'd keep it simple - ge rego'd with bulbs, then fit the LED modules afterwards - you can buy 'em in the same bayonet fitting, ready to swap in/out in a second! Saw them on eBay...so yes, I'll get that happening.

Of course, re HID headlights, I'd have to do a bit more research into the proper reflectors...

I think the first 'list of extras' thing will be the steering box - either replacing it with a manual ne, or (depending on noise and current draw) getting an electric steering pump. Meh.....

Post by **Thalass** » Fri, 16 Jan 2009, 22:10

I looked in to HIDs a while ago. Holy expensive, batman! The ones I found were 35watt, with 3x the brightness of a 50w halogen. Now I'm all for bright headlights and all, but what about a 15watt HID that was the same brightness as a 50watt halogen? that'd be the same as the originals, but would consume much less power - which is important in an ev.

Website · Post by **Simon** » Sat, 17 Jan 2009, 01:12

I got some LED globes for my car. The red Brake/Tail lights are good and similar in brightness to original. The LED Indicator bulbs that I tried were no good though only lighting a small portion of the lense.

Post by **fuzzy-hair-man** » Sat, 17 Jan 2009, 01:55

Simon wrote: I got some LED globes for my car. The red Brake/Tail lights are good and similar in brightness to original. The LED Indicator bulbs that I tried were no good though only lighting a small portion of the lense.

These use the standard 5mm leds right? Can you aim the leds in a different direction? ie gently bend the 2 metal legs so the LED point where you want.

LEDs are a very directional light so this might be enough to give the spread you are after.

Post by **Mr Camouflage** » Sat, 17 Jan 2009, 02:14

Lots of different styles of LED automotive globes at a website called dealextreme.com Prices are in US dollars, but they have free shipping to Australia, and if you buy in bulk (well usually 3 or more of the same item) you can get a discount on the item price. I've bought some stuff from them, not globes though.

Post by **a4x4kiwi** » Sat, 17 Jan 2009, 02:33

I have bought from http://www.virtualvillage.au.com before. They also have an ebay shop. They have a very good range. Try searching for LED car.

They have lights that emit out the top of the bulb and some that also have LEDs around the circumference so the bulb uses the reflective surfaces inside the lens.

Post by **Johny** » Sat, 17 Jan 2009, 05:20

I also bought 34 LED Red Tail/Stop from www.virtualvillage.au.com and couldn't tell them from the "real" thing. Also bought 36 LED White for indicators - very bright. Take care, he sells 24V ones as well which I bought by mistake. Also sells the LED Flasher device - not tried that. Quality is quite good as I pulled the 24V ones apart to see if I could change them - alas no.

Post by **Thalass** » Sat, 17 Jan 2009, 17:24

Heh. I was working on a LED flasher unit a while ago, using a 555 timer to provide a square wave to the base of a power transistor which did the switching. Haven't gotten past the drawing phase, though. It's probably better to buy something.

That's not as fun, though.

Post by **Kearon** » Thu, 22 Jan 2009, 18:12

Ha! I bought a bunch of LED panels for a different project a few weeks back - and yes, I noticed they also had the LED bulbs....guess I should've bought 'em then, and combined the shipping

In other news, I need a recommended suspension mob to do some springs for the EV Capri - I've just found the engineer who's certifying the car is leaving town for a while in 2 and a half weeks - so I gotta act NOW!!!

Any advice? North shore would be best, but whoever can do proper springs in the next week would be a winner....

Post by **woody** » Thu, 22 Jan 2009, 19:00

Kearon wrote: In other news, I need a recommended suspension mob to do some springs for the EV Capri - I've just found the engineer who's certifying the car is leaving town for a while in 2 and a half weeks - so I gotta act NOW!!!

I'd personally avoid Pedders. Go for someone who's been around a while and the name on the door matches the name of the guy in the shop.

If I was doing it, I'd ask Mannell Motors who have 10+ years experience in suspension modifications, although they do specialize in 4wds. If they won't do it, go with whoever Nick Mannell recommends.

cheers,
Woody

Post by **EV2Go** » Thu, 22 Jan 2009, 19:39

He needs someone who can either supply reset springs (for a custom height) or manufacture lowered spring for that model, pointless going to someone who does suspension who is only going to buy the springs in.

Changing springs is not a hard job... hmmm Kearon did I just talk myself into another job? Doh!

Whiteline manufacture a decent range of products, but again it depends on if you want off the shelf lowered or custom.

Post by **Peter C in Canberra** » Thu, 22 Jan 2009, 21:44

What's wrong with the original springs? I thought your final weight was going to end up close to original due to using LFP cells.
Peter.

Post by **Kearon** » Thu, 22 Jan 2009, 22:30

Hi Peter: Different weight distribution
Hi Woody: Looks like I found a good spring guy in Parramatta. yep - the guy own/runs the joint - good advice.
Hi EV2Go: Ha! Nah - you're off the hook. Getting it done next week. See y saturday!

Post by **woody** » Mon, 16 Feb 2009, 08:23

Kearon's EV Capri episode 8 is up!!

Post by **Rattrap** » Mon, 16 Feb 2009, 16:49

Another excellent epp Kearon. Thoroughly entertaining as always. So glad you've stayed with the white paint job & not that terrible yellow!