Electric conversion: Project ForkenSwiift

[MetroMPG]

Yes, good eye! Gotta love peer review.

I'll update and post drawing version 2.1.

(SilveredWings - we're having version conflicts with the drawings. )

[MetroMPG]

[Silveredwings]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Yes, good eye! Gotta love peer review.

...and open source.

I'll update and post drawing version 2.1.

(SilveredWings - we're having version conflicts with the drawings. )

quick, better get a source control system.

[Silveredwings]

Ah memories of cannibalizing old TV sets. If you go with a used one, make sure you get a linear taper and not an audio (logarithmic) taper pot.

OK, if I understand the potentiometer conundrum, the Curtis uses a 0 - 5K ohm variable resistor (the center and one end of a pot.), and the forklift controller came with a ~23K ohm pot. From your photos, it looks like a common part:


a single-turn, linear-taper, 1/4" shaft carbon potentiometer rated at 1 Watt (without a built-in switch I assume). Don't put an underrated part in or you might smoke pot .

Anyway, if you can't get the exact length shaft, you can always go over-size and cut it to fit (usu. aluminum).

So, which controller are you going to be using?

[MetroMPG]

The forklift pot is interesting. With a jumper wire (short) connected between the 2 ends of the resistor, the 0-23k pot acts as a 0-6-0 k pot - meaning resistance is highest with the wiper centered between the 2 ends and drops as you turn it either way from center.

[MetroMPG]

Tidbit: the 2 Youtube videos of the motor spin-up have been collectively viewed over 2000 times. Apparently there's a healthy interest in conversion info.

And Project ForkenSwift is inspiring other people. Check this out:

I’m taking inspiration from http://www.forkenswift.com/ as a low-budget conversion. That’s a good model to start on for us as we will be learning much along the way – so mistakes won’t be so costly!

http://www.43things.com/people/progr...rschaq/6037794

[MetroMPG]

PS - get the fuel pump installed?

[Silveredwings]

...working on it, thanks.

Edit: no really, I am.

[Silveredwings]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Tidbit: the 2 Youtube videos of the motor spin-up have been collectively viewed over 2000 times. Apparently there's a healthy interest in conversion info.

And Project ForkenSwift is inspiring other people. Check this out:

http://www.43things.com/people/progr...rschaq/6037794

Kudos for the Kudos. It's a really great project!

[Silveredwings]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

PS - get the fuel pump installed?

It's in and tested! If I hadn't spilled a little gas it would have been perfect. (news flash: I'm not perfect )