An Electric Willys?

Installing the
WarP 11 motor

So, what is Electro-Willys all about? E-W is a 1952 M38 Willys jeep that we converted to all-electric. The details of the conversion process can be followed in a photo album at The Electro-Willys.

The gas engine was replaced with a 11-inch DC WarP 11 motor made by NetGain. An adapter plate was custom made to connect this motor with the bell housing of the Willys jeep. This allowed us to keep the rest of the E-W as original as possible.

Blue lithium batteries
next to
old lead-acid battery

Power is supplied by 46 3.5-volt lithium batteries. Initially we used lead-acid batteries, but they weighed a lot and had some severe limitations. The lithium battery pack stores 42 kilowatts of power, and operates at 144-160 volts and 600 amps.

A Soliton Jr controller by Evnetics sits underneath the driver's seat. This device controls the flow of energy to and from the batteries and the motor.

Soliton Jr controller

E-W can scoot right along at over 70 mph. At more reasonable speeds, the average distance between charges is about 60 miles. This is more than sufficient to get Mike to work and back, although the preference is to plug E-W in while at work. Mike can run errands around town if necessary before heading home.

With the current cost of electricity, Mike estimates E-W uses about $5 dollars worth of energy a week to recharge. That is a huge savings over the cost of diesel for our F-250.

- Ellen

Car Show Time

The Electro-Willys has been entered in to several car shows. For three years running, E-W has been in the Buena Vista Mountain Mania Antique, Classic, and Hot Rod Show. In 2011, E-W also showed at the Salida Car Show. This year, E-W won't be in Salida as it is during the trip up the Alaska Highway.

2010

2011

2012

- Ellen

Getting back to OD Green!

Striped Down E-W

In preparation for the conversion to electric, Mike stripped down Electro-Willys (E-W). He removed all the gas engine components back to the bell housing. Room had to be made for all those golf-cart batteries both in the front and in the back.

After sanding, welding, pounding, and patching, Mike gave E-W a coat of primer, and then the OD Green. I really hate the smell of that paint.

Wearing the OD

Once all the painting was done, Mike was ready to take E-W down to a local shop for the conversion to electric. If only he knew then what he knows now!

For a photo album of the conversion process (both ups and downs), take a look at m38mike's Jeep pages: The Electro-Willys.

- Ellen

In the Beginning...

The day E-W arrived

Back in 2008, when diesel prices sky-rocketed to $5/gal, Mike decided to build an electric jeep for commuting. He found this 1952 Willys M38. It looks kinda rough in the picture above, but actually wasn't in too bad a shape.

He traded the engine out for a winter cab, then set about getting the frame and body ready for conversion. Under this pale blue, Mike found the original paint was Air Force blue. The history of where this M38 was used in the service has been lost, but perhaps it had been at Lowry AFB in Denver.

- Ellen

Welcome!

E-W and the Juice Box

Welcome to Electro-Willy's blog.  Mike (m38mike), Greg, Nate, Owen, Electro-Willys, the Juice Box, and The Cave will soon all be heading out for a grand adventure.  We hope to use this blog as a way to keep track of those adventures. 

They will be travelling the Alaska and other highways on a circuit between Dawson Creek and Denali NP, and back with the AC'12.  This is a convoy, organized by the Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA), in honor of the Alaska Highway's 70th Anniversary.

Communication will be sparse at times, but after all, who really wants a lot of cell-phone and computers when you are out there enjoying the great wilderness of truly northern North America.

Updates to the blog will be linked to Facebook and several other of Mike's favorite jeep and electric vehicle forums.  You can also subscribe to updates using the Subscribe to: link below.

Let's all get on board and follow Mike as he tries to get a Guiness World record for single driver/distance for an all electric vehicle!

- Ellen