Preparing for the EV Challenge

This is a video of the electric fox driven by Quinton Dickerson getting ready for the autocross event at the EV Challenge

The electric vehicle team packed up and headed toward LJVM coliseum in Winston-Salem NC to the Triad Sports Car Club (TSCC) Autocross. TSCC designed a great course that allowed EV team members to practice their skills. Also Chief of Tech, Terry Phibbs, acted as a coach for Quinton Dickerson as he bettered his skills handling the electric fox. Quinton drove the EV in the EV Challenge 2011 autocross and hopes to bring a first place trophy home this year in the car class.

John Butler (left) discussing the last run w/ Terry Phibbs while
Quinton Dickerson gets psyched for his next run.

The electric fox preformed very well... very little body roll and the tires, Kumho Escta XS on the 17x9 wheels performed great w/ the heavy lead batteries. One change we plan to make before the EV challenge is to remove some of the steering rack limiters and get the front end professionally aligned. The dampers and springs are spot on... of course a few more volts would be nice.

EV member Tyler Haney take a great shot of the
electric fox as Quinton finishes a run.

John Butler (passenger) coaches team member
Clinton Blankenship during a fun run.

Along w/ the TSCC autocross the EV team showed the electric fox outside the doors of the C&E Gun show. Many guns and knife lovers stopped by to see the EV as they exited the show.

Spencers takes Principal Jones for a Electric Fox ride.

EV team member takes our Principal, Leigh Jones for a ride in the Electric Fox. McMichael High School is preparing for more Science, Technology, Engineering, & Design (STEM) courses and projects like the EV conversion. Principal Jones enjoys students becoming hands-on w/ learning.

Battery Maintenance

Time to check the batteries and connections on the Electric Fox. Flooded lead acid batteries like those used in the Electric Fox require periodic maintenance. One of the most often overlooked item to check is the electrolyte level. During the charging and use of the batteries the electrolyte level drops and can damage the lead plates if the level gets too low. The 8v Johnson Controls batteries used on the Electric fox have easy to remove caps that allow refilling of the battery with clean distilled water.

Any flooded lead acid battery needs the fluid level checked periodically. North Dakota State University has some good tips on their Ag. Extension page --> http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/ageng/safety/ae1022w.htm ddd

While refilling the battery electolyte w/ distilled water Spencer checks all the connections for tightness and corrosion. Also Spencer checked all the voltage of the individual batteries. One battery was found to be low on voltage so we will monitor it and may decide to replace it w/ one of our backup batteries.

On October 8th the EV team traveled cross county to Reidsville to the Annual Reidville Fall Festival. This year was a GREAT turnout with numorous displays and vendors and over 320 classic cars. The EV was one of only a handful that was less than 25 years old and was the only fox body at the show. The weather was excellent and all EV team members enjoyed the cars, people, music, and displays.

EV parked in front of the Reidsville Police Department

Many folks enjoyed checking out the electric car

EV team members check out the a GM volt display. We talked about the differences between a converted EV and a major manufactures EV.

Charging system hookup on a Nissan Leaf that was on display brought by Reidsville Nissan

EV team members, Mr. Butler (w/ charger), and Reidsville Nissan Reps! The Nissan guys were pretty knowledgable about their car as Mr. Butler tried to stump them with some questions.

Ryan check out the mini solar panel on the back of the Leaf. Many EV Team member commented that the Leaf doesn't have the visual statement that EV needs to make.... kinds looks like an insect!

Madison Heritage Festival

The EV took the "Electric Fox" to the Madison Heritage Festival on October 1st 2011. We had a "prime spot" as the car was posistioned directly infron of the stage in the middle of the festival. Many folks stopped by and talked w/ the EV team members.

Clinton, Nathan, Ryan, and Quintin keeping it real

Nathan and Ryan learning the "EV Ways" from a "EV Master"

The streets of Madison NC - Car hood visible near band

Ryan applying Natty's Paste Blue wax w/ a foam applicator.

Gotta keep the EV shining!

Electric Fox Live and Local on WGSR 47.1 Reidsville

McMichael EV team interviewed by WGSR 47.1 Reidsville at the Reidsville Cruise in on September 9th 2011.

On September 9th McMichael EV team headed back to Reidsville for the last Cruise in of Summer 2011. The Reidsville Cruise In is always a wonderful event, w/ lots of really cool rides from the 40's to showroom fresh. The Electric Fox is always a hit and we were able to distribute several of out new business cards (designed by EV team member, Tyler Haney).

From Left: Quintin Dickerson, Hunter Foulks, Debbie Moore (WGSR), Tyler Haney

The EV team has plans to return to Reidsville for the Homegrown Festival in October 2011!

Melted terminal

McMichael EV team had a breakdown w/ our Electric Fox EV. After a short drive to visit a local sponsor the EV lost all power. Turns out that one of the 8V batteries in the trunk had melted a terminal. Not sure what happened but the terminal had completely melted and the 2/0 connector was making no contact. Luckily we had an extra 8v battery back at the shop and just did a simple replacement. Next week we will check all the terminals and look for problems.

Lucas, Adam, and Hunter replacing the battery w/ melted terminal. When working near 90+ volts always be extremely careful!

Adam w/ old battery

Job well done....ready to ride!

Hunter and Lucas packing up!

Back at school... now we need to check ALL connections!