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Electric Kombi
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Brookie View Drop Down
Noobie
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Joined: 06 December 2008
Location: Avon Valley WA
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Posts: 6 		  Quote Brookie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Electric Kombi
    Posted: 06 December 2008 at 6:10pm
Hi, Just joined as have had discussions re converting a VW Kombi.
Have looked at some early posts but heard one has already been done in W.A.
Feel that 73 onwards would be ideal as they have bigger, excellent braking system and many can be found in good condition and they are relaively easy to restore.

Have a Kombi forum with members all over with over 150 in Perth and many have shown interest.

Thanks
Warren

http://www.kombikonnection.com

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Thalass View Drop Down
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Location: Perth, WA, AU
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Posts: 647 		  Quote Thalass Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 December 2008 at 7:13am
Interesting. Is it a ute or van Kombi? I suppose either way there'd be heaps of room for batteries somewhere. They're fairly heavy and unaerodynamic, but it shouldn't be too bad.

Go for it!
I'll drive an electric vehicle one day.
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Brookie View Drop Down
Noobie
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Posts: 6 		  Quote Brookie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 December 2008 at 3:43pm
Originally posted by Thalass

Interesting. Is it a ute or van Kombi? I suppose either way there'd be heaps of room for batteries somewhere. They're fairly heavy and unaerodynamic, but it shouldn't be too bad.

Go for it!


Kombis are quite slippery with Kamm effect tail and are more aerodynamic than a Beetle. See Link below
Bus or van would be better as they have massive storage under rear seat plus with motor removed there is a lot of space.

http://thekombikonnection.myfreeforum.org/about94.html
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woody View Drop Down
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Posts: 1271 		  Quote woody Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 December 2008 at 5:46pm
I think that the Cd needs to be multiplied by the frontal area before comparing. I.e the mini Cd x frontal area = 0.53 x 1.5 = 0.78 Cx whereas the Kombi Cd 0.46 x 2m^2 = 0.92 Cx I.e. More work to push through the air. ( the numbers are only approx)
Planned EV: '63 Cortina using Industrial AC and LiFePO4 Battery Pack
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Brookie View Drop Down
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Posts: 6 		  Quote Brookie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 December 2008 at 6:07pm
Only until it gets moving - the Kamm effect starts to work at about 40k.


0000000000
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andy View Drop Down
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Joined: 18 December 2008
Location: Victoria
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Posts: 3 		  Quote andy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 December 2008 at 4:44am
Hi Brookie,

We're currently in the process of investigating the conversion of our 73 Kombi Bus. There are many examples on the web, so I can't see any reason as to why it cannot be done. We would be interested to hear how your plans go and if you are able to tap into any info. We're planning a visit to Blade Electric Vehicles in Castlemaine (VIC) shortly to check out AC Motors and Lith Ion batteries. He also has an interesting small gearbox, although it may not be large enough for the Kombi.

Cheers

Andy
Ps: will try and post pic of kombi
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Thalass View Drop Down
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Posts: 647 		  Quote Thalass Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 December 2008 at 8:34am
Plenty of room for solar panels and wind turbines (the latter for when parked, of course) at least!


It'd be an ideal size for a camper EV. Not big enough to require tonnes of batteries, but still with room inside.
I'll drive an electric vehicle one day.
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Brookie View Drop Down
Noobie
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Posts: 6 		  Quote Brookie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 December 2008 at 10:17am
Originally posted by andy

Hi Brookie,

We're currently in the process of investigating the conversion of our 73 Kombi Bus. There are many examples on the web, so I can't see any reason as to why it cannot be done. We would be interested to hear how your plans go and if you are able to tap into any info. We're planning a visit to Blade Electric Vehicles in Castlemaine (VIC) shortly to check out AC Motors and Lith Ion batteries. He also has an interesting small gearbox, although it may not be large enough for the Kombi.

Cheers

Andy
Ps: will try and post pic of kombi


Be good to see pics- it is just a thought at moment and we may be able to get group together to do as project.

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andy View Drop Down
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Joined: 18 December 2008
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Posts: 3 		  Quote andy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 December 2008 at 5:06am
Hi Guys,

Have been trying to upload a pic of the Kombi, but keep getting error codes. Same problem I had when first registering on this forum, the system didn't want to send me my activation e-mail. Looks like somebody else has been having the same problems and has posted on it.

I will keep trying. Anybody got any suggestions?

Cheers

Andy
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Brookie View Drop Down
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Posts: 6 		  Quote Brookie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 December 2008 at 9:23am
Can Photobucket be used on here?


--------------
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Andrew View Drop Down
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Joined: 16 May 2007
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Posts: 172 		  Quote Andrew Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 December 2008 at 10:31am
Yes you can upload files or use Photobucket or Image shack. Either click the 'Insert image' icon or you can upload an image directly to the forums. Make sure you goto the 'full reply editor' when replying to get the image options.

Just a note with uploads:
- image must be maximum of 100KB (any bigger you will get an error message)
- choose the Image upload option from the menu

cheers,
Andrew
Put a little 9 volt battery in a Hummer, that'll make it a Hybrid!
AMC////////WA
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andy View Drop Down
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Joined: 18 December 2008
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Posts: 3 		  Quote andy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 December 2008 at 10:38am
Sorry Andrew but your suggestions re uploading to forum are simply not working. I have now tried on 10 occasions, (with a JPG file of 64kb) and continue to get error messages. I also tried 5 times to get an activation e-mail sent to me when registering and on the 6'th occasion (thankfully, otherwise I would have given up in disgust), I finally got my activation e-mail.

Clearly, somebody else has posted on error messages and SOMETHING needs to be fixed, otherwise people won't hang around.

Cheers

Andy
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Andrew View Drop Down
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Posts: 172 		  Quote Andrew Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 December 2008 at 10:56am
andy, PM sent.

please keep forum Q&A and admin discussion to the Admin Notices section.

Andrew
Put a little 9 volt battery in a Hummer, that'll make it a Hybrid!
AMC////////WA
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Rob M View Drop Down
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Joined: 17 May 2007
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Posts: 79 		  Quote Rob M Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 December 2008 at 9:01am
Hi Brookie, I'm doing a Kombi conversion at the moment. Have the motor mounted and have engineering approval for the project. The engineer suggested the batteries be put under the rear seat instead of where the fuel tank was so as to better spread the weight between front and back.
Otherwise a conversion made simple by plenty of space.
Call me on 0407152552 or email info@evwa.com.au if you want to check it out. It is in Kewdale.
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Gow864 View Drop Down
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Joined: 26 July 2008
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Posts: 199 		  Quote Gow864 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 December 2008 at 9:25am
Rob M Any chance of publishing the Kombi conversion details? I'd be really interested in expected range/performance.

Thanks,
Gow.
If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
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woody View Drop Down
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Posts: 1271 		  Quote woody Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 December 2008 at 9:59am
Have Kombi values recovered from the RTA drowsy driver ad where the kombi goes into the rear trailer of a B double?

Kombi looks as safe as a motorcycle.

(I think that YouTube vid is of a chinese Knock-off)

Anyway, I'm sure the Cortina is not much better.

The most important safety feature is the driver :-)
Planned EV: '63 Cortina using Industrial AC and LiFePO4 Battery Pack
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Thalass View Drop Down
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Posts: 647 		  Quote Thalass Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 December 2008 at 3:49pm
And the point defence lasers to vapourise anything that might be dangerous...

mwahahaha*cough*


I think most cab-over-engine vehicles have that same safety risk, woody, but you're right that the driver is the best safety feature.
I'll drive an electric vehicle one day.
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Brookie View Drop Down
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Posts: 6 		  Quote Brookie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 December 2008 at 5:12pm
Originally posted by woody

Have Kombi values recovered from the RTA drowsy driver ad where the kombi goes into the rear trailer of a B double?

Kombi looks as safe as a motorcycle.

(I think that YouTube vid is of a chinese Knock-off)

Anyway, I'm sure the Cortina is not much better.

The most important safety feature is the driver :-)


You can still buy a cheapie but prices are up to $85,000 which is currently top asking price
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