Build Your Own Electric Vehicle

The first edition has saved me much heartache in my building a converted vehicle. I used the basic schematic for laying out the system (with slight modification, being I don't use a DC/DC charger for my 12VDC low volt system). As for the technical aspects, we as a 'modern tech society' I think too often that we must 'have it all handed to us' and sometimes an author realizes that people working with such tech, will have to research other sources for more in depth study. I would hope ANYONE going into even thinking of converting an ICE to an EV, would plan on learning a lot of math, formulae, some battery chemistry, have a basic understanding of physical principles and be ready to study a whole lotta 'lectronics! But the end result is in my mind that you continue to learn and study... We are at a critical juncture in society, the world condition and this field of EV conversion/building technology. Thomas Freidman made the comment recently,"We need all kinds of people in their garages working on this (EV, green-hybrid) technology!" (my paraphrase). And Bob Brandt's book, is the book that set me forward. There are many other books appearing and that are selling for a couple hundred dollars! And that want you to buy this or that or subscribe to this ideology or 'set of facts'... THIS BOOK, is 'well this is what ya do here...', plain and simple it lays out an outline of what you need to do and consider. Buy THIS BOOK! And you won't be sorry, of course it will be the first of many....

The beginning of the book is "off target." It begins with politics and hyperbole: through the end of chapter 3 can be skipped without loosing context (chapter 3 may be of interest to history buffs). Chapter 4 and 5 can be skimmed -- 4 for its tables and pictures of conversions and 5 to get an idea of available sources. Chapters 6-10 provide a significant amount of conversion information: the reader will want to concentrate on these chapters. The last 2 chapters provide some areas of concern that one should think carefully about before a conversion is attempted.

I am using this book as a research and knowledge base for my pending Plug In Electric Vehicle (EV)project. I am converting a 1992 Mazda MX-3 to a plug in fully electric auto.

This book is the best place to begin, it conceptualizes the whole environment surrounding the need for conversions providing historical back ground, economic understanding, and environmental impact information. Although the book was published in the early 90's it's predictions of the future for energy dependance and economic turmoil are right on. The Books prime function is as an excellent technical reference on the "how to" of EV conversions. This book goes into great detail about chassis selection, energy calculations, motor and component selection, range and speed expectations, and gives many examples, tips and techniques to use in building an EV.

This book also goes through from beginning to end a conversion of an auto conversion (a light pick up truck) from internal combustion engine powered to plug in electric powered. It is impressively simple to do and this book shows you just what to do. It also provides a great amount of contact information for parts suppliers and businesses already engaged in the conversion market place.

So if your sick of paying high fuel prices, want to do something personnally to reduce the effects of human impact on the environment, or are an engineering weenie who wants a fun and cool project to obsess over then pick up this book and start today!

Have Fun and Good Luck!

David Fink "Shade Tree Mechanic"
My first EV conversion project (1992 Mazda MX-3)

A good review of history of the electric car, best vehicles to convert, lists of sources for kits and parts, diagrams of how to do it, etc.
Highly recommended.

A good place to start if you prefer to look at paper vs. the computer screen. Much more & better info available on the internet.

Does cover the basics - what exactly is involved in a conversion, batteries, controller, charger, motor & the "extras" - main contactor etc.

Others complained about too much math, but I found it was too basic to make any engineering decisions or judgments.