Hi Nicholas, I guess I am keeping it original except for the new controller, and contactors.? It does have a new throttle as well. With that said, whatever else I would need to be upgrade as well.? It was not running when I purchased it.? It looks like someone started to upgrade the electrical cause those parts I mentioned came with the car.
Thanks, Frank
On Saturday, March 2, 2019, 2:57:54 PM EST, nicholasgee58 nicholasgee58@... [C-Car] wrote:
?
Are you keeping the electrical orginal. Was it running before. Lots of variables go you have more information.
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-------- Original message -------- From: "fkurzweg@... [C-Car]" Date: 3/2/19 2:28 PM (GMT-05:00) To: C-Car@... Subject: [C-Car] Citicar wiring
Hello All, I am in the process of restoring a nice original 1976 Citicar for my wife.? I have rebuilt the entire front and rear suspension, brakes, and rear end. Now comes my dilemma.? I am very mechanically inclined but dangerous at best with electrical.? I have 99% of the components needed like new controller, F/R contactors, etc.? I am looking for any references for a place in the Buffalo, Rochester, or Syracuse area that could do the final wiring. Perhaps maybe even a fellow Citicar member would be interested in making some extra money :] I have tried 3 golf cart places near me but they never even heard of this car, which seemed odd, and they did not seem interest in doing the work either. So if anyone has any suggestions on a place or would be personally willing to wire it up feel free to contact me.? Thanks in advance for any assistance.
Regards, Frank
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Are you using the original throttle or are you going to replace it with a pot box controller? I have some drawings that would make it simple to wire it up yourself.
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Are you keeping the electrical orginal. Was it running before. Lots of variables go you have more information.
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-------- Original message -------- From: "fkurzweg@... [C-Car]" <C-Car@...> Date: 3/2/19 2:28 PM (GMT-05:00) To: C-Car@... Subject: [C-Car] Citicar wiring
Hello All, I am in the process of restoring a nice original 1976 Citicar for my wife.? I have rebuilt the entire front and rear suspension, brakes, and rear end. Now comes my dilemma.? I am very mechanically inclined but dangerous at best with electrical.? I have 99% of the components needed like new controller, F/R contactors, etc.? I am looking for any references for a place in the Buffalo, Rochester, or Syracuse area that could do the final wiring. Perhaps maybe even a fellow Citicar member would be interested in making some extra money :] I have tried 3 golf cart places near me but they never even heard of this car, which seemed odd, and they did not seem interest in doing the work either. So if anyone has any suggestions on a place or would be personally willing to wire it up feel free to contact me.? Thanks in advance for any assistance.
Regards, Frank
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Hello All, I am in the process of restoring a nice original 1976 Citicar for my wife.? I have rebuilt the entire front and rear suspension, brakes, and rear end. Now comes my dilemma.? I am very mechanically inclined but dangerous at best with electrical.? I have 99% of the components needed like new controller, F/R contactors, etc.? I am looking for any references for a place in the Buffalo, Rochester, or Syracuse area that could do the final wiring. Perhaps maybe even a fellow Citicar member would be interested in making some extra money :] I have tried 3 golf cart places near me but they never even heard of this car, which seemed odd, and they did not seem interest in doing the work either. So if anyone has any suggestions on a place or would be personally willing to wire it up feel free to contact me.? Thanks in advance for any assistance.
Regards, Frank
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https://www.covercraft.com/us/en/shop/smart-fortwo/
I had good luck with the cover for the smart for two. It is just slightly bigger than the citicar and goes on easy. They can custom make a cover for a few hundred extra but it is unneeded. This cover is the shape and size you need. First gen smart car. Good luck
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-------- Original message -------- From: "bartonfisher77@... [C-Car]" <C-Car@...> Date: 2/27/19 3:44 PM (GMT-05:00) To: C-Car@... Subject: [C-Car] CitiCar Cover
I have the citicar with the batteries under the seat.? Anyone have a suitable cover for my car? Maybe a link?
Bart
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I have the citicar with the batteries under the seat.? Anyone have a suitable cover for my car? Maybe a link?
Bart
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Craigslist ComutaCar for sale in Washington
Hi all, I keep a regular eye on local craigslists for old EVs I can't afford, and recently stumbled across a 1980 blue Citicar.
It's in East Wenatchee for $1850. Seller doesn't know much/anything about it, says it looks complete. Looks original from the few pictures, but who knows. Might have the optional factory radio, since there's an antenna mounting bracket on it.
Just posting here in case anyone's interested:
Jacob Field 1980 Gold ComutaCar The Dalles, Oregon
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Re: New here: Introduction to my ComutaCar
One more clarification - the packs in the picture are using lower-spec cells that have too low a capacity to handle 5A output. That's why the packs have tape on them that says they have lower capacity and lower A output. I use packs like that for testing new ideas for packs, and then they can be used for the aux power - no need for insane currents there.
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Re: New here: Introduction to my ComutaCar
Good to know all that. I'm capacity testing the cells individually--I actually disassemble the laptop battery packs to salvage individual cells--so everything should be pretty close to balanced.
The cells (18650 lithium cells, same as the Tesla Model S) are 3.7V nominal, and I have them configured in sets of 4 in series, each set has 3 in parallel to triple the AH and continuous A output. (Don't ask why I chose 4 cells in series instead of three, three would have been much easier and I'm considering changing how the packs are built once I get my 16 testing modules done).
Each pack has a nominal voltage of 14.8V and a max A output of 15A based on the batteries being able to handle about 2C, and with the capacities I've been using they range from 6AH to 8AH.
Based on the specs on the motor, and the starting resistor, I've optimistically guesstimated that I'll need ~90A to get started in the lowest speed. My 16 packs will put out 120A in the 2 lower speeds, and 60A in 48V speed. I have fuses inline with the packs, so I won't destroy any BMSs or batteries, I hope.
I understand that 120-60A is not going to be enough to get going anywhere fast, but I hope it's enough to go around the block so I can get some current draw readings.
I'll attach a few pictures of the packs I'm making. In the first, I'm testing a power distribution thing I made for the Aux battery, the second shows it installed in the CCar under the driver's seat. I'll need to make some holder so they don't slide around while driving.
In terms of work though, I'm beginning to wonder if it would have been better to just get some pre-made module...
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Re: New here: Introduction to my ComutaCar [2 Attachments]
? ? ? ? ? ?? Hi Jacob and All, ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? I'd be worried about used laptop cells in series/parallel as so out of balance and likely less capacity they would be hard to keep alive and need a very robust BMS to keep them together raising the cost. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Used EV modules are likely cheaper and a lot less work. Volt modules are likely the best as cheapest, have 16C output and doesn't seem to need a BMS as so high quality. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?? Another is the citicar is a heavy feeder of amps so you'll need a much larger pack of laptop cells which typically are 1C. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?? You'll need an e controller of at least 450 amps or better, 600 amps. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Being lighter you can take a leaf out of the leaf springs to soften the ride. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?? Jerry Dycus
On ?Thursday?, ?February? ?14?, ?2019? ?08?:?30?:?40? ?PM? ?EST, jacobtimothyfield@... [C-Car] wrote:
Good afternoon, everyone!
I just joined the group, so I thought I'd give a little background on my CCar for anyone interested.
I got my ComutaCar in June last year, from someone who'd bought it in non-working condition in 2002. He was interested in learning about alternative energy, so he did a partial restore and got it working again with lead-acid and the original contactors. I saw it sitting in his driveway, stopped to investigate, and ended up buying it from him for $350. (A steal that even a freshman in college like me can afford!) He was done with it, and wanted it to go to someone who was interested in doing more with it and learning about it and EVs.
I did buy it without the batteries, though--I'm currently working on building it Li-ion packs from cells salvaged from old laptop battery packs. It's a slow process, it's getting close to being able to drive around the block, assuming my hopeful estimations about how much current it will draw are correct.
There have also been a few non-battery things I've done to get it completely road-worthy:
- I replaced the Master Cylinder, and just rebuilt the left rear brake cylinder (I have parts links if anyone wants)
- Designed a 3D printed windshield washer nozzle, because the original was long gone
- Put a new (old, giant, loud, amp-eating) horn in, because the original horn was missing.
- Fixed the horn switch, because it was broken
Attached are some pictures. If anyone here uses Instagram and is interested in following my progress, I have a blog for the CCar @explosive_golfcart. With Li-ion cells, that's pretty much what my CCar will be...
Jacob Field 1980 Gold ComutaCar
The Dalles, Oregon
Posted by: jacobtimothyfield@...
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Re: New here: Introduction to my ComutaCar
They bumpers are something the previous owner did. I don't know what kind of wood they are, but they seem to be mostly unfinished and have held up well so far. Seems like they wouldn't be hard to make, either.
Jacob Field 1980 Gold ComutaCar The Dalles, Oregon
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Re: New here: Introduction to my ComutaCar [2 Attachments]
Your bumpers are interesting. My "foam" covered original bumpers are deteriorating and I am looking for a way to repair or replace them.
E. Lepard
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-------- Original message -------- From: "jacobtimothyfield@... [C-Car]" <C-Car@...> Date: 2/14/19 8:30 PM (GMT-05:00) To: C-Car@... Subject: [C-Car] New here: Introduction to my ComutaCar [2 Attachments]
Good afternoon, everyone!
I just joined the group, so I thought I'd give a little background on my CCar for anyone interested.
I got my ComutaCar in June last year, from someone who'd bought it in non-working condition in 2002. He was interested in learning about alternative energy, so he did a partial restore and got it working again with lead-acid and the original contactors. I saw it sitting in his driveway, stopped to investigate, and ended up buying it from him for $350. (A steal that even a freshman in college like me can afford!) He was done with it, and wanted it to go to someone who was interested in doing more with it and learning about it and EVs.
I did buy it without the batteries, though--I'm currently working on building it Li-ion packs from cells salvaged from old laptop battery packs. It's a slow process, it's getting close to being able to drive around the block, assuming my hopeful estimations about how much current it will draw are correct.
There have also been a few non-battery things I've done to get it completely road-worthy:
- I replaced the Master Cylinder, and just rebuilt the left rear brake cylinder (I have parts links if anyone wants)
- Designed a 3D printed windshield washer nozzle, because the original was long gone
- Put a new (old, giant, loud, amp-eating) horn in, because the original horn was missing.
- Fixed the horn switch, because it was broken
Attached are some pictures. If anyone here uses Instagram and is interested in following my progress, I have a blog for the CCar @explosive_golfcart. With Li-ion cells, that's pretty much what my CCar will be...
Jacob Field 1980 Gold ComutaCar
The Dalles, Oregon
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Re: New here: Introduction to my ComutaCar
It was in Washington, and I haven't transferred the title yet. I think I'll get it plates that say "OG TSLA" ...
I've found a few of those sites, I think. There's a doc I have where I've compiled every other document of parts numbers I come across.
That would be great! I'm sure there are a few others near the Portland area, as I've seen pictures of several with Oregon plates.
Jacob Field 1980 Gold ComutaCar The Dalles, Oregon
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Re: New here: Introduction to my ComutaCar [2 Attachments]
Jacob,?
? ? ? Welcome! I kind of new too and I'm just up the road in the Seattle area (Kitsap).
? ? ? ?There are a lot of cool people in this group and history. I see it has Washington plates, it wa in Oregon?? My car came form Salem or area. Less rust.
? ? ? ? ?When you are Googling parts, EVdrives is a great place to get parts and it is in Port Townsend wa, vintage carts has brake parts too, it is in Sqeim Wa. So you will be close to some good parts.?
? ? ? ? ?Hope we can start a west coast c-car meet up.?
? ? ? ? Feel free to ask questions.
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-------- Original message --------
From: "jacobtimothyfield@... [C-Car]"
Date: 2/14/19 5:31 PM (GMT-08:00)
To: C-Car@...
Subject: [C-Car] New here: Introduction to my ComutaCar [2 Attachments]
?
Good afternoon, everyone!
I just joined the group, so I thought I'd give a little background on my CCar for anyone interested.
I got my ComutaCar in June last year, from someone who'd bought it in non-working condition in 2002. He was interested in learning about alternative energy, so he did a partial restore and got it working again with lead-acid and the original contactors.
I saw it sitting in his driveway, stopped to investigate, and ended up buying it from him for $350. (A steal that even a freshman in college like me can afford!) He was done with it, and wanted it to go to someone who was interested in doing more with it and
learning about it and EVs.
I did buy it without the batteries, though--I'm currently working on building it Li-ion packs from cells salvaged from old laptop battery packs. It's a slow process, it's getting close to being able to drive around the block, assuming my hopeful estimations
about how much current it will draw are correct.
There have also been a few non-battery things I've done to get it completely road-worthy:
- I replaced the Master Cylinder, and just rebuilt the left rear brake cylinder (I have parts links if anyone wants)
- Designed a 3D printed windshield washer nozzle, because the original was long gone
- Put a new (old, giant, loud, amp-eating) horn in, because the original horn was missing.
- Fixed the horn switch, because it was broken
Attached are some pictures. If anyone here uses Instagram and is interested in following my progress, I have a blog for the CCar @explosive_golfcart. With Li-ion cells, that's pretty much what my CCar will be...
Jacob Field
1980 Gold ComutaCar
The Dalles, Oregon
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New here: Introduction to my ComutaCar
Good afternoon, everyone!
I just joined the group, so I thought I'd give a little background on my CCar for anyone interested.
I got my ComutaCar in June last year, from someone who'd bought it in non-working condition in 2002. He was interested in learning about alternative energy, so he did a partial restore and got it working again with lead-acid and the original contactors. I saw it sitting in his driveway, stopped to investigate, and ended up buying it from him for $350. (A steal that even a freshman in college like me can afford!) He was done with it, and wanted it to go to someone who was interested in doing more with it and learning about it and EVs.
I did buy it without the batteries, though--I'm currently working on building it Li-ion packs from cells salvaged from old laptop battery packs. It's a slow process, it's getting close to being able to drive around the block, assuming my hopeful estimations about how much current it will draw are correct.
There have also been a few non-battery things I've done to get it completely road-worthy:
- I replaced the Master Cylinder, and just rebuilt the left rear brake cylinder (I have parts links if anyone wants)
- Designed a 3D printed windshield washer nozzle, because the original was long gone
- Put a new (old, giant, loud, amp-eating) horn in, because the original horn was missing.
- Fixed the horn switch, because it was broken
Attached are some pictures. If anyone here uses Instagram and is interested in following my progress, I have a blog for the CCar @explosive_golfcart. With Li-ion cells, that's pretty much what my CCar will be...
Jacob Field 1980 Gold ComutaCar
The Dalles, Oregon
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Re: Anyone use plasti fix
I cringed the first time I seen that video. I would not reccomend doing that. But you could use MEK and abs to do the same thing. The video of hitting and kicking the car was sad. But I was surprised the body did not crack when kicked.?
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-------- Original message -------- From: "jlj4774@... [C-Car]" <C-Car@...> Date: 2/12/19 2:54 PM (GMT-05:00) To: C-Car@... Subject: [C-Car] Re: Anyone use plasti fix
I'm no pro here but I seem to recall seeing someone on YouTube doing C-Car ABS plastic body fixes with some 3D printer cord and what looked like a large soldering iron. This video is from the same person who lost it when trying to restore their car and started hitting it with a hammer. So, maybe not a great source ;)??
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Re: Best Practices/Lessons Learned/Where to start?
When you lighten up the car it will bounce like a moon buggy. I know my car rides best with a large friend as a ballest in the passenger seat. I kept mine lead acid but did a whole electrical restore on mine. If you are interested to talk give me a call or text. I dont want to fill up the forem with a bunch of chit chat ?Nick 860.639.8730?
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-------- Original message -------- From: "Dave Brice dbrice3721@... [C-Car]" <C-Car@...> Date: 2/12/19 3:26 PM (GMT-05:00) To: C-Car@... Subject: Re: [C-Car] Best Practices/Lessons Learned/Where to start?
With a pack like that I can assume you are going to run a modern controller?? Get your brakes in order, get some new cables and go see what you can do :)? for me, that battery would be to small, but you can always add.? Have fun with your project!?
?
Howdy.
My wife and her family bought me a lime green 1980 commuta-car late last year. It's in pretty rough shape, but seems all of the parts are there, including all of the original glass. I am excited to dig in and do a full restore. My car didn't come with keys, so I think that will be my first step. Beyond that, I'm not sure of next steps.
Since many of you have already been through this I figured it would be best to ask for your advice. What do you wish you'd known before you started? Any thoughts on the priority of all the various mini-projects required to bring the C-Car back to pristine??
My golf cart batteries are shot but I have experience with lipo batteries. For the short term plan to run a custom 48v pack coming in at something like 4kWh. From what I can see that's about half of what one would get out of lead-acid batteries, but my pack will weigh about 60 pounds versus the more than 500 so maybe I'll see extra range just in weight reduction.
Thanks for reading, I look forward to your thoughts as I embark on this exciting and overwhelming?journey.?
-JLJ
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Re: Best Practices/Lessons Learned/Where to start?
With a pack like that I can assume you are going to run a modern controller?? Get your brakes in order, get some new cables and go see what you can do :)? for me, that battery would be to small, but you can always add.? Have fun with your project!?
?
Howdy.
My wife and her family bought me a lime green 1980 commuta-car late last year. It's in pretty rough shape, but seems all of the parts are there, including all of the original glass. I am excited to dig in and do a full restore. My car didn't come with keys, so I think that will be my first step. Beyond that, I'm not sure of next steps.
Since many of you have already been through this I figured it would be best to ask for your advice. What do you wish you'd known before you started? Any thoughts on the priority of all the various mini-projects required to bring the C-Car back to pristine??
My golf cart batteries are shot but I have experience with lipo batteries. For the short term plan to run a custom 48v pack coming in at something like 4kWh. From what I can see that's about half of what one would get out of lead-acid batteries, but my pack will weigh about 60 pounds versus the more than 500 so maybe I'll see extra range just in weight reduction.
Thanks for reading, I look forward to your thoughts as I embark on this exciting and overwhelming?journey.?
-JLJ
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Re: Anyone use plasti fix
I'm no pro here but I seem to recall seeing someone on YouTube doing C-Car ABS plastic body fixes with some 3D printer cord and what looked like a large soldering iron. This video is from the same person who lost it when trying to restore their car and started hitting it with a hammer. So, maybe not a great source ;)??
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Best Practices/Lessons Learned/Where to start?
Howdy.
My wife and her family bought me a lime green 1980 commuta-car late last year. It's in pretty rough shape, but seems all of the parts are there, including all of the original glass. I am excited to dig in and do a full restore. My car didn't come with keys, so I think that will be my first step. Beyond that, I'm not sure of next steps.
Since many of you have already been through this I figured it would be best to ask for your advice. What do you wish you'd known before you started? Any thoughts on the priority of all the various mini-projects required to bring the C-Car back to pristine??
My golf cart batteries are shot but I have experience with lipo batteries. For the short term plan to run a custom 48v pack coming in at something like 4kWh. From what I can see that's about half of what one would get out of lead-acid batteries, but my pack will weigh about 60 pounds versus the more than 500 so maybe I'll see extra range just in weight reduction.
Thanks for reading, I look forward to your thoughts as I embark on this exciting and overwhelming?journey.?
-JLJ
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Nicholas Gee
Tony399
Jesse L "JL" Johnson