ProEV - Electric Imp Test Log #3

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Electric Imp Testing Log

April 17, 2003, Thursday - Testing Begins.
April 18, 2003, Friday - It's the batteries, stupid!

April 19, 2003 -Saturday

Small Steps : The motor runs for longer during the next test.

Again, while running the rear motor, the voltage drops out. This time # 098, 138, 140, 147 are dead. We are getting quicker at swapping batteries, so we are ready to test again.

This time, both the rear and the front motors run fine. I idle the rear motor along at 3 amps. It feels like it will run forever at this draw. I get a little daring and rev the motor. 10 amps is more than the batteries can deliver. The replacement for # 098 dies as does #137. I take some reassurance that less batteries are dying each time. Eight, then four, then two. One more and we should be good to go! The crew is less sanguine. We recharge the pack.

I run the motors again. This time, it is possible to rev the motors without any problems. Since the cooling system is still not attached, I do not run the motors for long.

May 5, 2003, Monday - Keeping the Motor from Braking.
May 6, 2003, Tuesday - Slowing with Regenerative Braking.
May 8, 2003, Thursday - Better Regen.
May 9, 2003, Friday - The first test drive.
May 10, 2003, Saturday - Upping the Amps 1.
May 12, 2003, Monday - Upping the Amps 2.
May 13, 2003, Tuesday - Upping the Amps 3.
May 14, 2003, Wednesday - The pack is put on charge.
May 15, 2003, Thursday- Slow Going.
May 20, 2003, Tuesday - Battery Killing.
June 2, 2003, Monday - Onward.
June 5, 2003, Thursday - Another battery bites the dust.
June 7, 2003, Saturday - Checking the charge.
June 10, 2003, Tuesday - Darwin thins the herd.
June 11, 2003, Wednesday - 10 mile run.
June 13, 2003, Friday - Getting the motors to work together.
June 16, 2003, Monday - Balancing the motor draws.
June 17, 2003, Tuesday - Align the car.
June 21, 2003, Saturday - One step forward, one back.
June, 2003 - April, 2004.

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