Daihatsu Sirion conversion
Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2015 5:44 pm
Hi I have just joined and am planning to convert a Daihatsu Sirion this summer. If I set out my ideas then hopefully some experienced people could pick some holes / affirm what I am planning.
Why a Sirion? I need a 4 door with reasonable rear leg room and highish rear seat to accomodate 2 elderly parents who are forever needing trips to the local doctors, supermarket etc. The Sirion is relatively light (890kg in ICE form) and has a very tall / deep fuel tank under the back seat that should be able to take the height of 4x Trojan 150a/hr lead acid batteries with the other 4 up front in the engine bay. I want to import a HPEVS AC35 motor and Curtis controller from the US as they seem much cheaper over there and run it at 96v. I want to use lead acid to keep the cost down and have read that the basic ones that need maintenance provide a better output to lower charge levels than the maintenance free ones. I would cut a service hatch in under the back seat. A Daihatsu Charade would be even lighter (760kg) but I'm not sure the architecture is suitable for rear batteries as they are so rare I have not been able to inspect one yet. Hopefully the Sirion in this configuration might achieve 50-60 MPH and a 30-40 mile range. Comments please!
Why a Sirion? I need a 4 door with reasonable rear leg room and highish rear seat to accomodate 2 elderly parents who are forever needing trips to the local doctors, supermarket etc. The Sirion is relatively light (890kg in ICE form) and has a very tall / deep fuel tank under the back seat that should be able to take the height of 4x Trojan 150a/hr lead acid batteries with the other 4 up front in the engine bay. I want to import a HPEVS AC35 motor and Curtis controller from the US as they seem much cheaper over there and run it at 96v. I want to use lead acid to keep the cost down and have read that the basic ones that need maintenance provide a better output to lower charge levels than the maintenance free ones. I would cut a service hatch in under the back seat. A Daihatsu Charade would be even lighter (760kg) but I'm not sure the architecture is suitable for rear batteries as they are so rare I have not been able to inspect one yet. Hopefully the Sirion in this configuration might achieve 50-60 MPH and a 30-40 mile range. Comments please!