A lot of people have asked me what sort of motor I'm planning on using in "Treddles" for the electric car conversion.
Well, I'm planning on using the jewel of the Advanced DC fleet - the FB1-4001A dual- shaft 72 to 144 volt, 100 HP peak, 9.1" diameter, Direct Current motor.
The nice one, in short.
The problems I've found when trying to buy one of these from New Zealand are so many that I thought I'd list them:
1: The freight alone is $750 NZ ($540 US).
2: I'll end up paying another $350 (at least) in tax when the motor arrives here on top of the shipping.
3: Calling the USA is expensive and then annoying when you're put on hold or get voicemail.
4: There's often a waiting list for the FB1-4001A motor.
5: No one knows where New Zealand is!
I emailed a couple of places about buying a motor. I was delighted to receive three quotes from three different parts suppliers in the USA.
While I take my hat off to ElectricVehiclesUSA for quoting me so quickly (less than 12 hours!) and EVparts.com for offering cheap freight, I've decided to go with EV-America. These guys are conveniently located in "NH" - wherever that is! :)
I chose Electric Vehicles America for two reasons. Bob from EVA was a good guy who proved he could move the earth to satisfy a customer. Not only that, but the "bang-for- buck" just cant be beaten with these guys. Not only are they cheaper than most other places (including freight too!), they chuck in so much added bonus material with the purchase. I'm very very impressed with EV-A and would recommend them to anyone - especially Kiwis or Aussies converting EV's who are trapped down this corner of the globe.
So, the shipping is going to cost me $540 US which is airfreight (it was cheaper than sea freight believe it or not!). But I still have the problem of finding $2800 NZ to pay for the motor and shipping.
Luckily my fiancé is wonderful and beautiful and amazing (yes I'm sucking up because she reads this) as she's allowed me to get a loan and spend the money on this motor. She knows it's something I've wanted to do since the 90's and is also looking forward to not paying for gas any more.
My brain keeps telling me it's too much money but I sooth it by justifying the purchase with three main reasons:
Firstly, it's a once-off purchase. I'll be able to use this one motor in this and any conversions I do in the future. It'll do a million miles before dying and it will outlast any car I put it in.
Secondly, converting a car to electric is something I've wanted to do for almost ten years and it's time to stop nay-saying and slithering about, and just buy the darn thing.
Thirdly, it's what we spend on gas each year anyway!
Another little problem has been nagging in the back of my mind too. My fiancé and I will be in Slovakia (where?) in June for our wedding so I have to make sure once I buy the motor it won't arrive on our doorstep, find no-one home, then head off back to America. Using a worst case scenario, even with a 1 month backorder, 2 weeks travel, and 2 weeks of NZ customs nonsense the motor should still arrive on my doorstep with a month or so to spare.
I guess I could always leave it until after the wedding. Hmmm... Actually I don't think I could survive that long. I need my motor!
Unlike the cast from Desperate Housewives I don't have $3k under my mattress, so I emailed the bank to see if I can borrow the $3000. They called a few days later to let me know it's all go!
Not long after that, the money was being whooshed over to the other side of the world by electronic carrier pigeon!
