Fitted HID lamps both sides

Found an interesting BMS project, that might help me with the ADC interfacing. The module I brought as 12 ADC channels, but the limitations on input impedance means a simple resistor network would require some beefy resistors and waste a bunch of power…

Here is one project with a interesting solution to ADC issue: http://home.earthlink.net/~evtkw/evbattmon.html

This project references another: http://genki.home.ionet.net/BattMon/BattMonArticle.html

My aim is use the web enabled PIC processor, and interface the batteries via opto-isolators so that I can direct read the voltage via a web page.

The web port of the PIC will connected to a wireless router (have an old one kicking around) that my blackberry can connect to. So I can view the battery status on my phone / PC / etc.

Fitted H4 conversion kits, now both hi and lo beams work.

Tested HID kit on one side, very nice! – will need some modication to fit them. Plan on leaving the installation so can switch back to Halogen if required, incase anything happens with the HID kit.

Side by side test of halogen and HID…

Fitted cup holder from Bus Depot – no more tea on feet!

Refitted fuse panel – cleaned up the wiring a bit, still some more work to get it really neat.

Fitted kick panels – very nice hides most of the wires.

Removed old seats, and test fitted Corbeau A4 seats from our other bus. Plan to revert the 67 bus to the OG seats and will swap the Corbeaus across to the Stealthbus.

Blotted down the aux battery with official clamp kit (replacing the block ‘o wood that was there originally…)

Ordered uP development board which is a PIC uP with 12 ~ADCs, Ethernet with a build in web server. I have idea to convert this to a BMS system. More to come on that idea.

http://microcontrollershop.com/product_info.php?products_id=893&osCsid=cf78aef068dc74ad19a42afa585e5245

Adapted my main charging cord so I can place my “~Kill-A-Watt” meter about 4ft away from the power inlet port.

So now I can have it in front of the charger when I’m adjusting the amps… ~Kill-A-Watt + 1 plug + 1 socket = a lot less than $500 for for built in meter on the charger 🙂

GA officially recognizes the StealthBus as an alternative fueled vehicle.

The title now lists Fuel as “E” for Electricity.

See Legal for details on registration and inspection process.

Very cold in the snow… happily this probably the worst weather we get in GA, so it will only get warmer from here.

Third commute, starting to get the feel for the vehicle. No problems keeping up with traffic flow.

Will start a Battery log to track the performance of the batteries.

Arrived at 148.8v more less same performance minus the hot electrical smell 🙂

Fitted floor mat, much warmer than the bare metal…

Ordered new kick panels and door panels,

Drove to work and BACK!!!

Started at 155v, arrived at the office with pack reading 149v (or about 75% DOD)

Plugged into the newly installed charger point – big thank you to Cisco (my employer) for that.

Charged in about 3hrs. Here is the StealthBus charging at the office!

Average speed 55mph for about 4 miles (300A or so at peak). There was a “hot-electrical” smell.

Ordered new e-brake cables, backing plates and H4 conversion kit for headlights.

Intermitant issue with the right hand rear blinker – loose contact in the light cluster I think.

Refitted the controller panel, added 3 mounting bolts (3/8″) to firmly hold the panel in place.

E-brake is holding but not as well as I would like, the cable is stretched and will need replacing.

Also I found out that rear brakes are uneven in application, which most likely a bend backing plate.

Low beams are not working, full test of the wiring reveals that lamps themselves are the issue, H4 conversion time!

So I learned something new today… contactors are marked A1 and A2 – I thought that was very nice… what I didn’t know is that A1 is the positive and A2 is the negative, and should be connected thus so the magnetic blowouts work… mmm… looking at my old contactors one was correct and the other was incorrect (happily – for once) the broken one is the one that was reversed… never happens 🙂