Chapter 20 - The Living Green Expo
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Held at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds every year, the LGE gives the public a chance to see the latest clean and green products.
It’s a teachable moment for the Electric Auto Association to spread the good news about electric cars.
The MN chapter worked hard to get the volt vette ready for its first public showing.
I made a fiberglass stand to hold the middle battery box where the V-8 used to nestle.
It was not easy, but I finally got it done.
I wanted the battery box to sit low enough so I could put the computer controller on top, and still close the hood. I tried, and tried again, but it was just a little too tight. Not enough headroom.
For plan B, I try getting the controller mounted on top of the forward battery box. This put the costly electronics in the cars “crush zone”.
(That is the part of the car that is designed to break apart on impact.)
Far from ideal, but I’m running out of room.
Tim makes me a waterproof box and is able to get most of the stuff that must be kept dry in side it. No time to wire things up!
Rush, rush!
The battery boxes are mounted and filled with 910 pounds of batteries.
The battery charging system does not arrive, but we can’t wait.
We tow the Volt Vette to the fairgrounds.
The chapter has 3 cars on display at the Expo, a very nice 1966 Corvair, an impressive Chevy S10 pickup truck, and the vette.
The show goes well. I’m at the show all day, both Sat. and Sun taking questions. We give out lots of EAA flyers.
Next chapter: May Madness.
