Gav's EV Conversion 11 - Installing the Heater

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Cars Ceramic Conversion Electric Gas Gav's Heater Installation Mitsubishi Plymouth Tredia Vehicles New Zealand
cant7think7clearly
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  • Added: 29-Sep-07

There's still a couple of weeks before I can get the battery racks installed, so now's the perfect time to sort out the car's electric heater.

It's the law in New Zealand for your EV to have a working heater (primarily to stop the windscreen from fogging up).
I was going to buy an EV heater from an EV accessories supplier but was advised I could save a bundle by doing it myself from parts!

The whole thing has cost me $70 NZ as opposed to $174 NZ from a popular EV accessories seller!
And once again, if I can do it then anyone can!

I hope this video proves educational. Feel free to see the install in more detail at KiwiEV.com

Once I scrounge enough money together then the Battery Racks video will be uploaded asap!
Progress has slowed a little as things have got tight financially so I've even set up a donations page on KiwiEV.com to make sure the car is completed by the middle of summer in February!

ANOTHER UPDATE!!
I'm selling DVDs of the whole project for $15 USD at my website www.KiwiEV.com (That includes Airmail postage too!)
The quality's much better than on Youtube and it comes with an unreleased Bonus Video!

  1. Categories: Wheels & Wings
Comments on

Gav's EV Conversion 11 - Installing the Heater

15 Comments | Add Comment
  • Great stuff, ...

    Great stuff, brilliant. I'm really enjoying watching the conversion stage by stage!

    By louisdudson2 [Affiliate User] 1196255787 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Hi from Rotorua! ...

    Hi from Rotorua! You are an inspiration to all who view these videos!. Having seen you on TV tonight, I had to see for myself. I am impressed, and I am saying this as an automotive engineer with some years in the trade. The typical Kiwi "can do" approach - it's the best, Good on ya mate!... Scott

    By hearnstr [Affiliate User] 1196240686 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Not to worry, it's ...

    Not to worry, it's definitely a DC one. Must've been why it cost so much more. :)

    By cant7think7clearly [Affiliate User] 1193336910 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Hi Gav, Check your ...

    Hi Gav, Check your SSR. If this is not meant for DC (most of them are for AC), then you cannot switch it off when switched on.

    By rky832 [Affiliate User] 1193311145 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Gidday Wayne! Not ...

    Gidday Wayne! Not sure to be honest. I'm guessing it'll have the same effect as turning on air conditioning? I'll do some tests once it's all up & running.
    PS. I'm putting the rear racks in this weekend! Woohoo!

    By cant7think7clearly [Affiliate User] 1192772825 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Hi Gav, another ...

    Hi Gav, another message from Australia! Just wondering the performance impact the heater will have on the batteries and power in the car? Will it drain a full 1500w? If so what impact will it have. Thanks again for the vid updates.

    By waynebw [Affiliate User] 1192695717 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • It looks a bit ...

    It looks a bit deceiving in the video but that piece of metal is actually about half an inch above the element and separated with a good thick layer of that heatproof goo. Thanks for the warning though, I appreciate any tips that could save me an electrical fire!

    By cant7think7clearly [Affiliate User] 1191829485 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Gav, It looks to me ...

    Gav, It looks to me like you might have shorted out all the heater elements when you put in that piece of metal to cover up the holes between the wires. Hopefully you put enough gasket stuff between the metal plate and heater core but you might want to check it with a ohm meter to make sure there's no short.

    By peggus2 [Affiliate User] 1191828059 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • From what I'm told, ...

    From what I'm told, things like light bulbs and heating elements don't mind if it's AC or DC. Others have done this same household heater method with good results so in a few months I'll see for myself just how well it works!

    By cant7think7clearly [Affiliate User] 1191716892 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Hi Gav, a question. ...

    Hi Gav, a question....any problem running an AC heater on DC voltage? Love all the videos by the way.

    By mrmrlee [Affiliate User] 1191713506 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Nice job! :) ...

    Nice job! :)

    Watching your video wants me to spend more hobby time on electronics and my car again.

    btw your pdfs that you had on your website regarding the NZ legal requirements for an EV were interesting reading. I hope when (if?) I get around to trying an EV project I'll magically discover that we have something similar in Australia. Hmmn ;-) (sceptical)

    By ImYourLastResort [Affiliate User] 1191471883 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • There's a lot of ...

    There's a lot of hope for you. The only problem is that I live in Eastern Canada.

    By DeLorean4 [Affiliate User] 1191450147 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Hey that's a great ...

    Hey that's a great excuse for me to create another EV - I'll just claim it's for my wife.

    Not sure if people would pay to see me talk about EV's! Havin said that, people do pay to see Paris Hilton so maybe there's hope for me? :)

    By cant7think7clearly [Affiliate User] 1191437570 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Just out of ...

    Just out of curiosity do you plan on making another one of these for your wife? Perhaps this is you calling and people will pay you to convert their cars. Mabey you could give seminars for extra income?

    By sail78385 [Affiliate User] 1191430934 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Hi, Gav... You're ...

    Hi, Gav...
    You're correct about 'dian' being 'electrical'.
    DianQi = electrical equipment.
    Dongwei is most likely a proper noun...
    DongWei Electrical Equipment.
    Best of luck with completing your EV.
    You've done well so far and I've enjoyed watching your progress.

    By RoadRunnerLaser [Affiliate User] 1191317963 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
15 Comments | Add Comment