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(Assumption: you love your 1951 Chevy pickup, else you would bag a cheap used Leaf) It would help us help you to know more about what you are trying to do. As posted, how far you commute, your location (zip code is good), how much you can spend, will you use public charging or at work, +more. Here some things I found with a web search, and please correct if needed: http://www.gulfbase.org/person/view.php?uid=bkeeland You 70506 commute of ~20 miles is on flat non-mountainous roads that need to go highway speeds. http://www.melissadata.com/lookups/ZipWeather.asp?ZipCode=70506&Month=1 S.E. U.S. temps are mild 50-85F, so no extreme cold/heat issues. Here is spec on your truck (Please specify which model/series yours is 3104, 3604, or 3804): https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/docs/gm-heritage-archive/vehicle-information-kits/Chevrolet-Trucks/1951-Chevrolet-Truck.pdf Your '51 pickup looks like: http://i.wheelsage.org/pictures/chevrolet/3100_pickup/autowp.ru_chevrolet_3100_pickup_6.jpg -or- http://www.stovebolt.com/gallery/images/lecure_jon_1951d.jpg A book is one source for information (more on that below). Assuming you are a total noob about EVs, another source is driving an EV. I suggest you hook up with an EAA/EV group near you: http://www.electricauto.org/?page=chapters EValbum.com is another free resource where you can compare existing conversions using simple searches either within evalbum or by using a search engine prefacing your keyword search with evalbum.com i.e: https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=evalbum.com+chevy+truck You can also find EV drivers in your state by searching evalbum: https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=evalbum.com+Louisiana Here is a search of evalbum on Chevy trucks https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=evalbum.com+chevy+truck Here are on a few of them to view: http://www.evalbum.com/5065 http://www.evalbum.com/1752 http://www.evalbum.com/3055 http://www.evalbum.com/1629 http://www.evalbum.com/280 I drove my converted 1985 S-10 Checvy Blazer for 15+ years http://brucedp.150m.com/blazer/ If I were younger and healthier, I would love to have a 1951 Chevy Panel Truck converted to Electric, see http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/50-53-gmc-panel-killeen.jpg I could easily strech out in the back and take a couple hour nap while public charging. After driving my EV for a couple of years, I found many things I would do better had I known when I paid the converter to make my EV (hindsight is a powerful thing). So, do not be in a hurry to fork out cash on this project. As a professional you know to take the time you need to do the proper research before hand. Assuming you plan to hang on to this converted pickup for 10 years, and possibly pass it on to another EV driver that will give it the love it deserves, make your EV component design flexible for future upgrades, changes, or experimentation. An example of that is when I had my Blazer upgrades, I not only allowed for different types of charging, but I had my battery racks be changed so they were adjustable for different types of batteries (they would support and secure both the shorter T-105/T-125 but also the taller/heavier T-145 type batteries. Meaning you may decide initially to go with the lower cost lead-acid (PbSO4) flooded batteries (i.e.: 24 T-105's in a box in the truck bed) but also consider what-if later you went for the taller t-145, or upgraded to li-ion (how would you mount those?). Also, choose a charger that can adjust for either PbSO4 or li-ion, and can work with a BMS (battery management system for li-ion). You also can add flexibility in later being able to use public charging. Initially you may decide to only charge at home. But as you love your EV, you are going to want to drive it everywhere you can. A charger that can charge at level-1 (L1 120VAC 12A) and at L2 3kW that has both a PbSO4 and li-ion w/ BMS ability is a good start. Later you can add another 3kW charger in parallel with a j1772 adapter to let you charge at 6kW from public EVSE, i.e.: http://api.plugshare.com/view/location/72976 Having an e-meter in the dash cluster than can tell you how much energy capacity you have left or charge you still need, etc. is a very useful item. Here is one, see https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=Xantrex+Link+10 Like my Blazer was, your older pickup is a heavy inefficient donor for conversion. So, I suggest you have a drive system that has regen (has an AC motor and controller). Regen can gain a few miles, but its other gain is in using the friction brakes a whole lot less (they last longer). Looking at the above pdf shows your frame may not be optimal for mounting the pack under the bed. At a slight loss of cargo carrying ability, it would be easier to install and replace batteries if the pack was in a box installed in the bed. If going PbSO4, I suggest several smaller-capacity batteries to up your pack voltage (and horsepower), maximize your cycle life, and increase your ease in finding replacement batteries (sometimes source move or change over the years). Your ice pickup has about a 90hp engine. For the same performance you ought to have at least a 144VDC pack. There are several sources for EV components. Shop around do not limit yourself to what I use as examples. Here is a 144VDC peak 88hp AC motor/controller kit, see http://www.electricmotorsport.com/ev-parts/motor-drive-kits-2/ac-induction-motor-kits/ac-51-kit.html I'll assume you have the space, tools and knowledge to do this conversion (you are comfortable with skinning your knuckles, etc.). So, boning up with a book is not a bad idea. Other than Amazon the book is also offered elsewhere. Be sure to get the last (3rd) edition. Looking at the 6 different ISBN versions of the Brant book, you can get your 3rd edition in paper or soft form, sources: http://www.alibris.com/search/books/isbn/9780071770569 https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=build+your+own+electric+vehicle+isbn+9780071770569 http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=Build+you+own+electric+vehicle+Bob+Brant&rt=nc&LH_BIN=1 Please reply and let us know more details of your EV project. (Corrections, and comments requested) For EVLN EV-newswire posts use: http://evdl.org/evln/ {brucedp.150m.com} -- View this message in context: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/Books-on-converting-a-car-to-ev-tp4679681p4679717.html Sent from the Electric Vehicle Discussion List mailing list archive at Nabble.com. _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org Read EVAngel's EV News at http://evdl.org/evln/ Please discuss EV drag racing at NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
