[b]My Electric '77 Midget[/b]

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I apologize to people who might have seen this on other forums. I have built an electric MG Midget that drives very much like the gas version. I’ve owned a Midget all my life, and recently sold my ’74 gas midget which I had owned for 35 years. I’m posting here so that if others, like me have wondered about converting their midgets to electric they can see how mine turned out. This isn’t about pushing green technology. I have wanted to do this for about the last 10 years and finally got the guts to try it. I have used my Midget as a daily driver all these years. My commutes have been short, so range is not an issue. I have driven my car 112 miles on a single charge, so I have plenty of range for my needs. I have created a web site where I’ve documented the weight change, the motor torque, the battery details, etc. I even have some articles about how I removed the steel beams out of the rubber bumpers. I’m currently in a phase where I’m trying different ideas on improving aerodynamics. I just finished an air dam and I’m trying to decide if it’s making any real difference in drag. I’ll be posting those details soon. This isn’t a hack job on a midget, I’ve maintain the stock look as much as possible. You’d be hard pressed to tell it’s electric from inside and outside. I’ll be glad to answer any questions you have, so please feel free to ask.

 

[RickB]

First - welcome to the BCF!
Yes I've seen your car other places, but it's great to have you posting here about it.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]I’m currently in a phase... [/QUOTE]

Good one!

I've kicked this idea around a bit myself, while it would be interesting it seems like a pretty expensive side of the hobby.
Still, it's great to have pioneers paving the way!

 

[jsfbond]

Looks like a really great car to convert. If they had done that at the factory we could all have been driving an EV with Lucas ........never mind.

 

[DWeeB]

What safety concerns do you have been surrounded by a load of batteries and amperage. What happens in an accident? Can the batteries ground to the sheet metal and zap you. What about fire?

 

[JPSmit]

What safety concerns do you have been surrounded by a load of batteries and amperage. What happens in an accident? Can the batteries ground to the sheet metal and zap you. What about fire?

You're driving a Midget for heaven's sake - In an accident the batteries are the least of you worries. I always figured the accident protection the rubber bumpers provided over the chrome bumpers was that it gave you that split second extra to well and truly soil yourself before you met your demise. Course I guess.... funeral pyre?

 

[Morris]

Wow. I love this! I am so jealous. I sooooo wish I had the resources to follow you down this path.

 

[fb_bf]

What safety concerns do you have been surrounded by a load of batteries and amperage. What happens in an accident? Can the batteries ground to the sheet metal and zap you. What about fire?

That is a good question. There is a fuse in the system so if a short occurs and draws over 500 amps, it will blow. Even if the batteries do connect to the frame the current won’t pass through you, so I don’t think there is a danger of electrocution. Depending on what happened in the accident a short across some of the batteries could occur. At that point you would probably vaporize the metal completing the short. That would end the short. but could produce a fire. There isn't the danger of igniting gas (petrol)at that point, because there isn't any gas.
I haven't read anything about something like that happening. I’m not sure it is any more likely than the gas line being cut on a midget and the electric fuel pump empting the tank before someone can turn off the ignition switch. The batteries themselves are not the type that catches fire when damaged, so that is not an issue. The bottom line is I think it is unlikely, but as plausible as any car catching fire in an accident.

 

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Wow. I love this! I am so jealous. I sooooo wish I had the resources to follow you down this path.

Thanks for the comment. Unfortunately, it is still an expensive way to go. Getting cheaper all the time, but still expensive.