Recent Updates
Miata Project Update:
25 May 2009
The new Ground Control suspension has been installed and functions much better. The ride is great and the vehicle stance is perfect.
20 November 2009
This is a picture of the motor and transmission before
insertion into the Miata chassis. Notice how much smaller the electric motor is than the original gasoline engine.
10 May 2010
The pictures below show the motor controller heat sink that was fabricated. A U-shaped cavity was machined in the back of the ½" aluminum controller mounting plate and then covered with a ¼" plate to enclose a volume of water. The water acts as a coolant and is continuously pumped to the small radiator in the front of the vehicle, visible from the front grill.
14 July 2010
Due to the added weight in the Miata, the brakes needed improving. An Internet search revealed that the 1994 Miata brakes were 30% bigger than the 1991 brakes. So 1994 calipers were purchased from a junk yard and completely overhauled and painted.
Let me introduce myself . . . .
As you might have guessed by the web site name, my name is Ken Watkins. I have been refurbishing older automobiles as my favorite hobby since I could drive. Doing this gives me great pleasure and I get a sense of accomplishment to take a worn out vehicle and convert it into a beautiful, just off the show room floor condition car that is a joy to drive. To do this takes no advanced degrees. I do have a Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering but anyone who can turn a wrench can convert an Electric Vehicle.
After refurbishing two Corvettes to fund my electric vehicle project, I converted both a Chevrolet S-10 pickup and a Mazda Miata into electric vehicles. The S-10 pickup was sold and the funds from that sale were used for the Miata conversion. The Miata is now running, tested and performs perfectly.
