What year is your favorite Volkswagen Beetle? mine is 1963

did you convert it yourself? what type of electric motor did you use? how expensive was it? +5

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by President Norris 2016 on November 1st, 2009

I did it myself using a conversion kit. A 240VDC motor, the whole deal cost about $5000, not including the basic truck. I've been running it 8 years now with no problems. Range is about 120 miles at 35 mph. It will go 65 mph for much shorter distances, The batteries are nearing the end of life now, so looking for more advanced type than the deep-cycle lead acid batteries now installed. Maybe Lithium-ion? The actual acceleration is better than with the 40 hp gas motor.

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by Anonymous on November 1st, 2009

How many amps does the motor use? some of the newer electric cars are using a motor per wheel

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by President Norris 2016 on November 2nd, 2009

65amps max. This uses the original transmission,clutch, etc.

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by Anonymous on November 2nd, 2009

the lithium ions I dont believe have the same lifespan as lead acid, youd probably do better staying with what you have, as far as I know the lithium cell kind of resembles a capacitor as far as holding amperage, you would get more amps out of lead acid cells, Someone might say im wrong.

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by President Norris 2016 on November 2nd, 2009

I've gotten good service from the lead-acids. I'll probably stick with that kind. Do you know of any good additives to prevent sulfate buildup on the plates?

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by Anonymous on November 2nd, 2009

No I dont, possibly a chemist could tell you what to use for that, I took a basic electrical class and know from my studies that currently the lead acid battery is the best system to use for holding a lot of amps; I would get batteries with larger cells and convert the voltage to match the voltage your system uses; the lithium ion is undoubtably going go through changes if not replaced with something better before it can be called dependable for automotive, laptops have had recalls for this battery because the technology is being pushed smaller is better.

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by President Norris 2016 on November 2nd, 2009

I've seen some commercial preparations advertised, but I don't want to risk putting some "unknown gunk" in $4000 worth of batteries.

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by Anonymous on November 2nd, 2009

yeah, not worth the risk, talk to somebody who deals with lead acid batteries; better safe than sorry I always say

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by President Norris 2016 on November 2nd, 2009

where do you get your replacement parts? I use cip1 and wolfsburgwest online, both places are good but certain items especially interior items are poorly made; my father bought a 72 beetle brand new and still has it, from 71 to 72 they added two more fresh air grills on the engine lid, do you remember what year they changed the steering wheel from the semiphore to the flat design

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by President Norris 2016 on October 30th, 2009

did you take out the fuel injection and go carb? my Mom had a 76 brand new and I remember that black square box behind the back seat.

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by President Norris 2016 on May 18th, 2009

Installed a Weber 2bbl progressive to go with the head work and mild cam.

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by VWrunning on May 19th, 2009

I bought the same carb, far superior to the solex; I made a heated air filter to compliment it.

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by President Norris 2016 on May 19th, 2009

Hell no!

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by President Norris 2016 on May 14th, 2009

Im sorry for the initial response, an experienced beetle enthusiast can identify without little error every year and significant changes of the beetle, no two years look the same.

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by President Norris 2016 on May 15th, 2009