It's spring 2022. Finally, lithium batteries are cheap enough for this cheap bastid. I found used Ford Mustang Mach-e batteries on the secondary market, and bought two.

That's the same 72v as the six Trojan T1275 lead-acid batteries. But the Trojans weighed 510 lbs in all, and the lithiums weigh 160 lbs in all.

The original conversion: 185 lb motor, eight 62 lbs batteries; about 800 lbs.

First summer: 185 lb motor, four 85 lb batteries; about 525 lbs.

Covid update: 65 lb motor, six 85 lb batteries; about 575 lbs.

And now: 65 lb motor, two 80 lb batteries; about 230 lbs.

550 lbs shed. Nice.

And the range, my god the range. Today I went out to visit Charles and Nancy, then home, then off to a mini car-show (after breaking the shifter bottom end -- 1hr 20 min to disassemble, weld, clean, and reassemble, which is not bad!) and back. 15 miles, and my S.O.C. as indicated by the Daly bluetooth ("blueteeth" in the ad!) went from 99.1% down to 93.2%. Previous long trips showed that ~18 miles was the limit, desite my optimistic calculations. Now we're looking at 50 miles or more. I look forward to finding out!

The shiny end in the upper circle was connected to the shiny end in the lower circle.

It's a cast part, so arc welding is touchy... slow accretion.

Next chapter: Tragedy in a broken pinion gear. Part XI