More components arrived in the mail: 2 Tyco Kilovac contactors, lugs and fuses

After the last Wattson unit from UK, some components arrived in the mail wednesday and thursday:

2 Tyco Kilovac contactore, from Israel

Very nice stuff, brand new

Another package, from France


I got some help for opening the package

Some lugs, but a lot of them : M8 or 8mm and M6 or 6mm


by packs of 100 and some small glass 2A fuses

Maybe some are starting to guess what all this is for .... Stay tuned ...

New Electric presentation at EVCCON 2012

Here is the presentation of New Electric boat electric conversion activities by Anne Kloppenborg during the last EVCCON 2012 last september in Cape Girardeau (hosted by Jack Rickard - EVTV)



"Was invited by Jack Rickard of EVTV to speak at EVCCON 2012. Presentation centers around our first build; the 1974 Glastron V174 Bayflite. Technical component overview and performance data. Also talk a bit about upcoming projects."


Jack Rickard welcomes Anne Kloppenborg on stage

The superb 74' Glastron Speed Boat !

Motor, Soliton One and Charger on the test bench

Crimping stuff (you were right Anne, we have the exact same crimping tool), Ferraz Shawmut Fuse & Tyco Kilovac Contactor

That is a lot of batteries to bottom balance !

Mating of Volvo Penta & Motor with the adaptor plate

LiFePO4 ESS - La suite

First I soldered these 2 x 20 pins together to bring ground and 5V to all the relays

It looks nice & clean like this and the connections are tight

Then I worked on the 24V command part wiring: battery pack leads, fuse, voltmeter, automotive relay, Tyco Kilovac contactor, Charge Mode relay, GTI Mode relay, main switch, 24V to 5V DC-DC power supply ... 

These are the battery pack leads, with 8mm small lugs, which will be screwed directly onto the terminals

More tonight or tomorrow ...

LifePO4 ESS - Control Board Rebuilding Update

As of last night, this is where I ended with my BESPSS control board rebuild:

Overview of the left side of the board, the right side being the relay activated outlets

- Heavy gauge wire connecting battery pack to Kilovac contactor cut and screwed

- USB connector for Wattson USB connector (providing colors voltages)

- Charger leads input terminals, with positive connected to charger automotive relay, going through the Ampmeter, and to contactor battery positive lead; I am using solid core 2.5mm² wires here to handle the 10A coming from the charger

- A automotive fuseholder and 3A fuse are mounted vertically to save space

- The main swith is screwed to the board (was already done last time I think)

- The Arduino board is not moving

- The programmable dual relay Voltmeter is fitted between the Arduino board and the main switch 

I also ordered a 24V automotive lighter socket USB converter, that will provide 5V to the micro USB used to power the Arduino board (I had problems with the power supply using 12V); After testing it, I will probably open it and only keep the PCB connecting the battery 24V to its input and will plug the USB to micro USB cable in its USB output