I often wonder about all the can-bus hoopla required to keep the iMiev going. Coming from the old school of EV-conversion and diysolar, can we not just gut/by-pass all the fancy stuff and operate the iMiev with simpe BMS/charger and a speed-controller ?
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- Thread starter Timh
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Well yes it would be possible. But it all comes down to cost and quality. The oem stuff like Leaf and Imiev is seriously solid engineering AND dirt cheap! I've got a crashed one for 500€ including Chademo fast charging.
The aftermarket world of chargers (slow only), controllers, bms etc is just super expensive. And fast charging is virtually impossible.
The downside is that my conversion would currently require me to run with a trailer carrying all the loom and extraneous bits and bobs!
It will be very challenging for me, and I will definitely need help, but if we can get this kit to run without the SRS climate and abs systems then it becomes a really good option for classic conversions. Either with the full rear subframe as it's narrow track makes it very suitable for the elder European vehicle. Or just the motor and controllers as I plan for my Peugeot 203 conversion because unlike most electric motors it doesn't turn too fast and only has a 6:1 reduction gear instead of the 8:1 in Leaf etc. Often a 6:1 diff will be available for a classic car that had a commercial variant and then using this doesn't need the gearbox or any mods to brakes etc because power stays very similar to original.
It all sounds so simple, just got to do it!
There is no need for any ‘CAN-bus hoopla’, the stock FW will happily run even with higher capacity cells, only draw back is that one can only use the first 45Ah..
You may want to talk to this guy:
https://myimiev.com/threads/i-miev-hot-rod-anyone.5072/
Thats a fantastic project. But quite different to what I'm planning. We've got a Peugeot 203 (1958), it's a monocoque so we can't use the imiev and stick a body on top. We'll be using the Peugeot chassis and engineering, with a diff from. The pickup variant, and the imiev electric motor in place of the original gearbox. The battery will be rebuilt with MG HS modules and split into three compartments. Two under the front seats and the other in place of the engine. The plan is a new enclosure housing the BMU and all CMU cards, then cables linking them to each of their corresponding cells. But we'll see.
The SRS isn't really the problem because it works without any airbags, so is quite a light thing to include if required and maintains the impact HV shutdown safety, which seems like a good plan! The problems I forsee are the lack of wheel speed sensors, power steering rack, dashboard, and climate control.
The guy with the BMW conversion did a lot of good work but then the blog just stopped (around covid). I Messaged him a while back, but no response so far.
The SRS isn't really the problem because it works without any airbags, so is quite a light thing to include if required and maintains the impact HV shutdown safety, which seems like a good plan! The problems I forsee are the lack of wheel speed sensors, power steering rack, dashboard, and climate control.
The guy with the BMW conversion did a lot of good work but then the blog just stopped (around covid). I Messaged him a while back, but no response so far.
The CMUs provide cell voltage and temperature Information, while it’s simple enough to extend the lines to measure cell voltages, the (tiny) temperature sensors are actually located on the CMU boards?
Had to google what a 1958 Peugeot 203 looks like, gorgeous car…
Yep, the temperature sensors will be the challenge. I haven't had a close look at one yet. When I had a load of cmu cards they sold so fast I didn't get a chance! When I was building a Lithium battery to replace the 8 lead acids in my electric Moke (fun, but far from gorgeous!), I discovered that the temperature sensors built in to the MG ZS 2 EV lithium battery modules had the same temp/resistance gradient as those supplied with the Chinese bms I used. So I could keep the sensors on the modules and wire them straight up to the bms. I doubt I'll get that lucky again. But Assuming I can remove the temp sensors from the cmu then I hope we can move them, or get some more rugged types that match the specs and wire them in. If they're silly tiny then we'll have to think again. Just one of the 'fun' challenges to come!
They are. You could just get some new RTDs and solder or glue them wherever you want.
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Thanks Kiev. I think that counts as silly small! That inspired me to fish out the pics I took when I had the boards. Are there really six temp sensors for every eight cells? That's all I can see, but it seems weird. I mean if you want to be all health and safety go one for one, and if not, go one per 4cell pack. But 6 for 8 just seems messy, so I probably missed something.
I'll have to get one in a situation where I can run a temperature graduation and then compare with those on the MG modules... And then probably find suitable replacements.
I'll have to get one in a situation where I can run a temperature graduation and then compare with those on the MG modules... And then probably find suitable replacements.
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