openinverter forum

I mounted and wired in an engine start button from a Honda s2000 to send the start signal. I'm sure I overpayed by using one from an s2000 but I have nostalgia because it was my first real sports car.

This mounted in the cigarette lighter hole really easily. I just had to dremel out a few grooves so it would slide in. Wiring was easy as well, I used the existing pos/neg from the cigarette lighter since it is already switched power. Then when pressed it sends 12v out.

19mm coolant adapter from zeroev mounted on the drive unit. Nicely machined part.

Waterpump mount done and wired in.

I'm already in love with this RX7!
As a big fan of japanese cars i think one does see them way to rarely to be considered for electric conversions!

I love driving my Toyota GT86 EV - it's absolutely awesome (project threat is on here, too). I'm sure you will have the same fun with your RX7!
Also it's great how you involve your Kids

Zapatero wrote: ↑Wed Feb 03, 2021 7:58 pm I'm already in love with this RX7!
As a big fan of japanese cars i think one does see them way to rarely to be considered for electric conversions!

I love driving my Toyota GT86 EV - it's absolutely awesome (project threat is on here, too). I'm sure you will have the same fun with your RX7!
Also it's great how you involve your Kids

Thanks! I've gone through your entire build and it's helped me a bunch along the way. Love the GT86.

J1772 connector is mounted (the label is upside down because I had to swap the door to the other side...I'll cover this up later). It was much easier than I expected. I just needed to alter the angle so the charging connector wouldn't hit the body. One more thing down...

Another small update, working on the details. I created a design to hold the 2/00 high voltage wires. I'll adapt the design based on placement after I get the batteries.

Good work ! Nice 3D printing work !

rjmcdermott81 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 03, 2021 3:30 am waterpump pic 1.jpg

Do you use this Bosch PAD-12V pump for just a partial coolant circuit, or for the complete (inverter-motor-charger-batteries) coolant loop ?
Where the Bosch PAD's can create a differential pressure of around 0,1-0,15bar (at around 1 Amp), the usual 'Tesla'-pumps are spec'd around 0,5-0,7bar (at around 7 Amps). When you have a large / complex loop with a high flow resistance, you might have to consider a more powerful pump.

FJ3422 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 4:25 pm Good work ! Nice 3D printing work !

rjmcdermott81 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 03, 2021 3:30 am waterpump pic 1.jpg

Do you use this Bosch PAD-12V pump for just a partial coolant circuit, or for the complete (inverter-motor-charger-batteries) coolant loop ?
Where the Bosch PAD's can create a differential pressure of around 0,1-0,15bar (at around 1 Amp), the usual 'Tesla'-pumps are spec'd around 0,5-0,7bar (at around 7 Amps). When you have a large / complex loop with a high flow resistance, you might have to consider a more powerful pump.

You are 100% right. I looked over at Boxster EV's build thread and he is using a Davies Craig pump so I just ordered one. Much much higher flow rate.

rjmcdermott81 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 22, 2021 3:37 am

FJ3422 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 4:25 pm Good work ! Nice 3D printing work !

rjmcdermott81 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 03, 2021 3:30 am waterpump pic 1.jpg

Do you use this Bosch PAD-12V pump for just a partial coolant circuit, or for the complete (inverter-motor-charger-batteries) coolant loop ?
Where the Bosch PAD's can create a differential pressure of around 0,1-0,15bar (at around 1 Amp), the usual 'Tesla'-pumps are spec'd around 0,5-0,7bar (at around 7 Amps). When you have a large / complex loop with a high flow resistance, you might have to consider a more powerful pump.

You are 100% right. I looked over at Boxster EV's build thread and he is using a Davies Craig pump so I just ordered one. Much much higher flow rate.

I use Bosch PCE pumps. They have more power and can be controlled via PWM. Without PWM they run at 100%. A dry run protection is also integrated.
They are easy to get because they are used in many VW models, but the VW version has a different plug and pin assignment.
I paid € 30.- each

Progress update. I took a break but getting back in it now.

Starting to work on the high-voltage box and mounts for each part - resistors, contactors, etc. These are not the final wires...just for testing.

BMS and charger are here

Taking a break to do the axles and wheel-bearings on the e30

Batteries are here!! (2 more on the way but this is what I need to start building the box)

Arranging the batteries in the way they will fit in the car.

Working on a battery holder template and then getting it back from Sendcutsend.com. So easy and such nice delivery.

Now that I have the first one dialed in, ordering the holder plates for all the batteries

Loving this build. Thanks for sharing such a comprehensive write-up.

You might want to mount the pre-charge resistors on a metal plate. They will get warm and could melt the plastic.

Boxster EV wrote: ↑Fri Apr 23, 2021 1:12 pm Loving this build. Thanks for sharing such a comprehensive write-up.

You might want to mount the pre-charge resistors on a metal plate. They will get warm and could melt the plastic.

Thanks - I appreciate feedback like this. I think now that I have the file and design dialed in I will send it out to have it 3d printed in metal. Good excuse to try that for the first time.

Battery mounts and steel square tube are in to make the battery box. I plan to build it one battery section at a time test fitting in the vehicle to squeeze it all in.
These brackets will hold the chill plates on the single batteries Here is a section of three batteries with chill plates sandwiched in between Here it is with the square tube on the side. I will cut, drill and then mount to this. Also, at Walmart I saw the new Mustang E parked at the charger. I've been totally excited after reading about it in magazines but seeing this one...man I hope they don't all look like this. It's probably the ugly wheels or something but it did not look good.

The Mustang Mach E looks weird in my opinion too, but I hear they put some nice tech into it. Now, let's just hope someone safely crashes one and puts the parts up on Ebay...

My neighbor caught me working on the battery base the other day...

k, progress on the battery mount has been slow. The first design had the batteries sitting too high so now I have a steel base that will mount directly to the subframe.

Base on subframe Batteries mounted to base (this is upside down) Base in car Testing with batteries Now with bracket on top batteries Test fitting other 6 batteries Clearance under the hood

rjmcdermott81 wrote: ↑Thu May 13, 2021 11:07 am My neighbor caught me working on the battery base the other day...

Thats what is great about working outside
Nice work.

Boxed out the lower section of the battery box.