Are you looking for ways to make your life easier and save money? If so, you’ve come to the right place! In this post, we’re going to show you how to build an electric car at home using simple materials and a few easy steps. We’ll show you how to build an electric car using parts from around the house, and we won’t even need any special equipment or tools. In just a few easy steps, you can create a sustainable transportation solution that can help save you money and the environment.
How To Build An Electric Car At Home
1. Get a car
You’re going to need an old car that you don’t need anymore, preferably one that is beaten up and won’t be worth much after you get done with it. You can find a lot of these cars in junkyards, or ask your friends and family if they have one they are willing to give away.
2. Remove the engine
The next step is to remove the engine from the vehicle. You might want to keep the engine for another project, but we aren’t going to use it here so feel free to toss it in a scrap metal pile if you have one nearby.
3. Get a motor and batteries
Now, you’re going to need to find an electric motor and some batteries for your electric car. These are pretty easy things to get your hands on at most big box retail stores or online shops like Amazon. Keep in mind that the size of your batteries will directly affect how far you can drive with this electric car before having to recharge them again. For our purposes here, I recommend using batteries that are 12v deep cycle batteries, as they will last longer than other types of batteries without requiring you to recharge them as often as smaller ones would.
4. Put the motor and batteries in your car
Once you have your motor and batteries, you’re going to need to find a place to put them in the car. You can either place them on the floor of the vehicle or mount them under the hood. You’ll also need to think about how you want to run your electric car, as it will depend on how much power you need from your battery pack. The more power you need from it, the bigger/heavier/more expensive batteries that are needed.
5. Install a charging system
Now that you have everything in place and are ready for some driving fun, it is time for installing a charging system for your electric car. There are a number of ways that this can be accomplished, but we’re going to show you some simple methods using parts from around your house that may already be there. This can save you money if you don’t have to buy anything new!
6. Drive!
Once everything is installed and working as intended, let’s get out there and see what kind of speed this electric car can reach! If you enjoyed this post check out our How To Build an Electric Car at Home Guide for more tips on making an electric vehicle work for your needs!
What Materials Do You Need To Build An Electric Car
1. The motor
The first step in building an electric car is to find a motor that will work for your needs. You can find motors that are designed specifically for electric cars or you can find motors that are designed to be used in any vehicle. You’ll have to decide on this step, but it is important! Here are some tips to help you choose the right motor:
2. The battery pack
The second step of building an electric car is the battery pack. You need something that has enough power and lasts long enough to get you through your whole trip. For our purposes here, we’re going to use 12v deep cycle batteries. These can be found at most stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s. They also come with their own charging systems (as pictured above). These batteries will last longer than smaller ones, so feel free to go with the larger ones if you have room for them!
3. The charger
The final step in building an electric car is installing a charger system. This is where it gets a little more complicated, as there are many different options for how you want your charging system installed and what type of wiring system you want! We’re going to walk through how we installed ours and what we came up with, but feel free to stick with what works best for you!
4. The Controller/Inverter
The controller or inverter is the piece of equipment that connects everything together and allows you to turn your car on and off. This is typically a device that plugs into a wall outlet, but it can also be installed in your car itself! We went with the latter because we wanted to keep our car’s original wiring intact. If you choose this option, make sure you find an inverter that is meant for electric cars!
5. The Charging System: getting started
Once everything has been installed, it’s time to get started with the charging system! First, let’s talk about how we set ours up. We chose to install a 12V cigarette lighter adapter and hook everything up to the lighter socket in our car. Why? Because it’s already there and it works! What are some other options? You can use a standard 120V AC outlet and take your chances with finding an adapter for your specific car model. You could also use a standard household outlet if you have one of those available for use on your property. If neither of these options is available, then you may have to go out and buy an adaptor or extension cord for your charging system.
Conclusion
If you’re ever on the hunt for an easy and affordable way to build an electric car, look no further than this comprehensive guide! You’ll be able to build a car in no time at all and with a few simple materials from your home.
FAQs:
What’s the best way to test my car?
You can test your car by plugging it in and turning it on, just like you would with a regular car. If your battery is charged and your lights come on, then you’re good to go! You can also try charging the battery before you start driving around. Just be careful not to overcharge it, as this will shorten its lifespan.
How do I charge my car?
There are many different ways to charge your car, but the most common is through a 12V cigarette lighter adapter. If you’re using a plugin on the wall, you can either plug it directly into an outlet or use an extension cord. Another way to charge your car is with a solar panel! This requires a lot of research and planning so make sure you do your research before getting started!
What’s the difference between lead-acid and lithium batteries?
Lead-acid batteries have been around for over 100 years while lithium batteries have only been around for 15 years. Lead-acid batteries are more commonly used in cars because they are cheaper and last longer than lithium batteries. They also allow for more cranking power on electric cars because they can hold more energy than lithium batteries. The biggest advantage of lithium battery technology is that they don’t leak or corrode like lead-acid9 batteries, making them environmentally friendly and perfect for electric vehicles.
