Battery Change & Steering
I’ve decided it’s better to upsize my battery from a PC1200 to a PC1500 equivalent (more later). I should add about 60% more range (42 ah to 68 ah) with only a 11lb per battery penalty (30%). We’re also planning on cutting into the floor above the fuel tank and hanging the batteries there instead of trying to install them from underneath. Maintaining them would be very difficult if they were underneath due to the weight (400 lbs). With the new setup I’ll have an access hatch to easily check and tighten terminal connections, not to mention install the batteries one at a time.
I also received a motor to drive the power steering pump. It’s from a scooter like the Razr. I figure if it can push up to a 180 lb kid at 10 mph (rated at 2500 RPM) it should be able to run a pump, and hopefully the A/C too. It’s meant for 24V and it’ll be on the 12V system so we’ll see how it goes. It was a pretty cheap buy and even looks like it will couple to the PS pump pulley pretty easily. I tested it with a 9V battery and it spun right up so I’m hopeful it’ll do well with more juice on tap.
Tags: batteries, power steering