What's left on our list, but don't let this list drive you, we have driven the car for years now and just check things off as we decide to add features.:

• The car has been driven as is for years now as it has been tweaked slowly with features. It is drivable as is but we would suggest there are additional things you can do to it to make it more refined. 

  • Program internal "ED" computer to automate charging.

  • The Nissan BMS now outputs the individual cell voltages to ED.  ED can communicate with the Brusa charger to turn the charger on and off during the charging cycle to allow for balance time to peak charge.

  • Currently the charger is set to charge to 80% of the pack peak capacity since we could not see individual cell voltages. (We can see them now, so this can be adjusted)

  • Program ED to output CAN data onto the network to cause the VW dashboard to show additional data.  The fuel, RPM, and temp gauges are prime targets. (The MPH gauge is ground driven and therefore works already)

  • Add the power steering or A/C pumps as you wish, we have never found need for either. Mounting points for both are already there.

  • Complete the motion disable charging interlock wiring now that ED can be connected to the charger for peak charging. (It is currently a manual switch in the car)

  • Program the clutch switch (installed) to RPM sync for gear shifts 2nd to 3rd gear.

  • We use 2nd in the city and 3rd on the highway.  We have never needed 1,4,5.

  • Choose to keep using reverse gear, or put in a switch to reverse the motor.  We purposely used reverse gear to prevent a student from slamming forward to reverse by accident.

  • Program ED to turn on the Vicor 400VDC-12VDC inverter automatically.  Currently when switched OFF the battery light on the dash displays just as if the alternator went out.  When switched ON all is happy.

  • Use ED to talk to public chargers.  Currently about half of public chargers will charge it, the other half post an error. We charge in the shop from a standard wall outlet at 220VAC 16Amp in a bit under 4 hours.

  • Program ED to read and automate brake booster pump vacuum tank activation.  Activation is manual now. The car is set for single pedal drive and the brakes are rarely used.

  • Add HV Isolation Monitoring (Pack HV positive and Negative rails are isolated from Chassis but their resistance to Chassis is not currently monitored) It was not a thing to do when we were building the car, it is now on the newest electric cars.

  Special features:

  • Cruise control works with the OEM VW cruise switch.  Tap the button twice or cruise down to change speed by 5mph. Cancel = Coast until Accel pedal is moved again.

  • Heated seats

  • Single pedal drive to and from 0 mph.

  • Tinted “half mast” glass on front windows, rear and back full tint.

  • Standard U.S. SAE J1772 charge port is in OEM gas flap.  Charges in under 4 hours.

  • ED outputs data for observation via wifi to a web browser.  Pages have been set up for a “car” dashboard including [rpm, temperatures of DMOC - stator - core, torque, voltages, amps, kW, regen].  Other pages include i/o states, i/o functions, battery management and cell voltages.

  • Bluetooth module hidden inside stock VW radio to play audio from phone in CD mode

  • Accelerometer triggered Upper Brake Light for Brake Light during Regen

  
  
  

  The eGolf sale comes with a 2001 VW Golf GTI and tow hitch that we have been using as a parts car to support this project, The GTI is drivable, it currently has some heat related electronic shutdown issue though.  Drive 20 minutes in the summer, shutdown, wait an hour for it to cool, starts right back up…