Rahul's 1969 Electric Ghia Profile

Photos coming soon...

Robin started out as a relatively clean 1969 Ghia with a so-so engine, some electrical problems, and a terrible radio. She is currently undergoing a transformation to become on of the thousand or so electric vehicles currently on the road in the U.S. The project team consists of myself (Rahul Patel) and my partner in crime, Kevin Booth. Kevin is the guy in most of the pictures and an all-around great guy with many talents. There is not enough time or space to thank Rick and Judy Booth (Kevin's parents). I use their tools, their time, their help, and their property and they still tolerate my presence every Sunday.

As of February 1995, Robin was pretty stock with the usual random pieces of missing stickers and trim. She was and still is 'Polar White', which is exactly the color of ivory. The interior is black, except for the brown rear bench.

The conversion project began in May 1995 and is still proceeding. Kevin and I work on the car for 8 hours a week, on Sunday. Expected completion date is November 1995. Robin's design goal is to be a clean, quiet, peppy, zero- emissions, fun vehicle for primarily city use with a stand-alone range of roughly 50 miles. If I have any creative energy left after this project, Robin may get an optional 'Power Boost Trailer' which will extend her range and allow charging away from an outlet.

As of 10/15/95 we have...

..removed the engine and gas tank.

..mounted the electric motor to the tranny via the old flywheel and $600 worth of metal shop work.

..refabricated the engine compartment to house the main component board and two of the batteries.

..replaced the entire wiring harness. (The old one was already the source of many electrical problems).

..replaced all four shocks.

..replaced the fuel gauge with a 50-150V voltmeter and replaced the clock with a 0-500A ammeter.

..begun the fabrication process for the middle and front battery packs.

..begun installing modern retractible, inertia-sensing seat-belts for added safety.

..replaced two C.V. boots.

..replaced the speedo cable (only to find out that the speedo is broken).

..replaced the front, passenger-side pan.

Engine statistics

At project start

40hp, 1500cc, V.W. Type I (air-cooled, 4-cycle, flat-4 internal combustion) engine.

Basically, a stock V.W. powerplant for 1969.

Upon project completion

Engine:

Advanced D.C. 203-01-4001 series wound D.C. motor.

120VDC at 500A max.

21hp continuous.

24hp sustained for 1 hour.

80hp+ peak.

Controller:

Curtis P.M.C. 1221-C

120VDC at 400A max.

Battery pack:

10 U.S. Battery EV-145's wired in series to produce 120VDC nominal.

Lead-acid composition.

75 lead plates per battery.

145Ah rating measured at 20A draw.

Charger:

K&W BC-1 with LB-1 Line Booster

Input: 110VAC/35A peak current draw.

Output: Variable voltage. 20A max current output.

Charging cycle:

Fixed current charge until float voltage attained.

Fixed voltage charge thereafter.

Charge time: Overnite. (10 hours for a fully depleted battery pack.)

Estimated Range:

Continuous 35mph: 80+ miles

Continuous 45mph: 60+ miles

Continuous 55mph: 50+ miles

Start/stop city duty: 50 miles.

Owner Vitals

Last Modified: May 3, 1997

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Melvin R. Bacani
Karman Ghia World
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