Project VW Cadd-E, Leaf/Volt/Mercedes + Mk1 VW

Tell us about the project you do with the open inverter
tom91
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Re: Project VW Cadd-E, Leaf/Volt/Mercedes + Mk1 VW

Post by tom91 »

I hate to burst your bubble, or atleast here in the UK a BMW hybrid pack can be had for 1K gbp at 12 kwh, the older lower voltage 7kWh can be had for under 800gbp. So that makes building modules yourself alot of work.

However it all depends on what you want to gain from a project. I am glad you managed to get through all the little problems you had.
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Re: Project VW Cadd-E, Leaf/Volt/Mercedes + Mk1 VW

Post by vwbrady »

I'm happy to be "done" with this part of the journey! No bubbles have been burst as the battery market here just isn't that great.

The BMW pack is a great option, however finding the 12kWh packs for $1k just isn't possible here. I did buy 6 individual 2kWh modules for $1700, which was a good deal though they did not come with the BMS :(. Those will be for some other project.

The cheapest 12kWh BMW pack is in Las Vegas for $1200. with tax and shipping that'd be about $2k. Then I'd have to make some kind of enclosure for them, which the Merc batteries didn't need, then adding your $500 BMS on top of that. I know it's 5 more kWh, but it's not that obvious of a choice for my specific project goals.

I keep my eye out for good EV battery options mostly from batteryhookup.com, but if I can get my hands on a $100/kWh BMW pack, i take it.
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Re: Project VW Cadd-E, Leaf/Volt/Mercedes + Mk1 VW

Post by RetroZero »

Thanks heaps for that break down on prices. I'm in a similar boat, where batteries are not 'sold' on an open market. So getting some 'faulty' modules to play around with means major time spent adapting it all. You did it, so it's possible, but I didn't realise how much time went into that part of your project. Bravo 👍
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Re: Project VW Cadd-E, Leaf/Volt/Mercedes + Mk1 VW

Post by vwbrady »

L1 charging at 1300W!
PXL_20220828_160942938.jpg
PXL_20220828_161533268.jpg

Volt charger being controlled by a simple pwm generator
PXL_20220828_161009541.jpg
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Re: Project VW Cadd-E, Leaf/Volt/Mercedes + Mk1 VW

Post by vwbrady »

On my way to being a YouTube star like everyone else. It's a good medium for documentation though.

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Re: Project VW Cadd-E, Leaf/Volt/Mercedes + Mk1 VW

Post by vwbrady »

It's been a while! I guess that happens when you reach the "road-worthy" milestone.

This truck has just worked... It's easily my most reliable, non-modern, car I own. This past summer I nearly drove it everyday including a few 40mi trips on i-5 down to Seattle. It even does truck stuff like haul refrigerators!


I picked up a matching 1980 4dr Rabbit, that will be getting a model 3 drive unit.
PXL_20230121_000028363.jpg
replaced the windshield and back glass along with some minor rust repair
PXL_20230120_223020407.jpg
New Corrado Wheels
PXL_20230107_204346237.jpg
moved the simp BMS display to the dash, but have yet to get it to control the charger
PXL_20230108_235755560.jpg
truck things:
PXL_20230102_173205026.jpg
PXL_20221026_221452944.MP.jpg
PXL_20220928_225803524.jpg
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Bratitude
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Re: Project VW Cadd-E, Leaf/Volt/Mercedes + Mk1 VW

Post by Bratitude »

vwbrady wrote: Fri Feb 03, 2023 7:20 pm

This truck has just worked... It's easily my most reliable, non-modern, car I own. This past summer I nearly drove it everyday including a few 40mi trips on i-5 down to Seattle. It even does truck stuff like haul refrigerators!
isnt it so awesome? it all just...works....so much so you forget what went into it..
vwbrady wrote: Fri Feb 03, 2023 7:20 pm
I picked up a matching 1980 4dr Rabbit, that will be getting a model 3 drive unit.
PXL_20230121_000028363.jpg
note on the m3 drive units, from what i can tell, the drive shaft stubs between the m3/y and s/x are the same other than the seal od. so looks like you can swap s/x seal on to your m3 drive unit and use the zero ev/ ev west adapter stubs
https://bratindustries.net/ leaf motor couplers, adapter plates, custom drive train components
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Re: Project VW Cadd-E, Leaf/Volt/Mercedes + Mk1 VW

Post by vwbrady »

Bratitude wrote: Thu Feb 09, 2023 12:48 am isnt it so awesome? it all just...works....so much so you forget what went into it..
The relative simplicity of the EV system I think contributes the most. After this winter I needed to move some cars around and after not touching this truck for months I turned the key to see what would happen. I was greeted by the water pump turning on followed by that sweet sweet contactor 'click' and away it went.
Bratitude wrote: Thu Feb 09, 2023 12:48 am note on the m3 drive units, from what i can tell, the drive shaft stubs between the m3/y and s/x are the same other than the seal od. so looks like you can swap s/x seal on to your m3 drive unit and use the zero ev/ ev west adapter stubs
I have seen the Zero EV stubs and they look pretty nice! Fortunately, I have the entire front and rear subframe along with all suspension and axles. so being cheap I'll probably just adapt the axles to one another at first. Having the axles I may also find time to model up my own stub for m3/y to VW. We'll see.
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Re: Project VW Cadd-E, Leaf/Volt/Mercedes + Mk1 VW

Post by Bratitude »

vwbrady wrote: Sat Feb 11, 2023 4:15 pm I have the entire front and rear subframe along with all suspension and axles. so being cheap I'll probably just adapt the axles to one another at first. Having the axles I may also find time to model up my own stub for m3/y to VW. We'll see.
id recommend turning down the tripod joint and welding on a flange with the 100mm/108mm bolt pattern.
similar to this:
suabru_930.jpg
im probably another 6months away from having tesla to vw stubs (like my leaf ones) available
outladner_stub.jpg
https://bratindustries.net/ leaf motor couplers, adapter plates, custom drive train components
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