What should Dave do with his Sinclair C5? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ChrisGammell
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 04, 2013, 04:21:00 am
content: We talked about this on the show this week (http://www.theamphour.com/174-motors-and-upgrading-sinclairs). What do you think Dave should do with his new purchase? Make it original condition? Add function? Take the survey and then let us know more about your thoughts.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 04, 2013, 04:53:52 am
content: By keeping original, that pretty much means not touching the motor and control system. A new metal front wheel that doesn't melt when braking is a givenDon't think I'd ever rip out the original LED bargraph display, but I might augment that maybe.In either case the external C5 appearance is what matters, and that obviously wouldn't change even if I changed the whole motor and drive system.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 04, 2013, 05:04:30 am
content: Oh boy, so much for the original LED display, this looks awesome!http://www.c5owners.com/sinclair-c5-x-pod.aspx

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2013, 06:38:38 am
content: If it is intended as an investment don't change anything.If it is intended for fun, hack and slash it as you please.

author: peter.mitchell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2013, 06:44:06 am
content: Replace the big-ass lead acid with a LiFePO4 is a given, better energy density, better recharge capability, whether you change the motor ect is up to you.Hands down, change the battery tech though.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2013, 07:30:52 am
content: Build in a flux capacitor, you know you want it

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 04, 2013, 08:55:23 am
content: Quote from: peter.mitchell on December 04, 2013, 06:44:06 amIt doesn't come with a battery, so that's open slather from the get go. But LiFePO4 is pricey.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 04, 2013, 08:56:18 am
content: Quote from: Kjelt on December 04, 2013, 07:30:52 amI have the time circuits...

author: semach.the.monkey
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 04, 2013, 09:19:28 am
content: Welcome to the C5 world! Electric cars are the future!My C5 has been put together purely from old bits I've found on eBay. It wasn't a complete vehicle when I bought it, just a plastic body and a chassis, so I've got no problem with modifying it with better non-standard parts. At the moment it has no electrics at all, no motor and no battery - but it pedals around just fine.In the summer though, I'll be fitting all new modern electric running gear.You've already found c5owners.com, so you'll have an idea what's possible from these little beauties :-)Spencer

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 04, 2013, 09:37:47 am
content: Quote from: semach.the.monkey on December 04, 2013, 09:19:28 amI'm quite interested in that.I've ridden a C5, and while I found it quite nice on the straights, it was quite a chore on any sort of gradient. And I live in the Hills District of Sydney, and they don't call it the Hills for nothing....

author: semach.the.monkey
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 04, 2013, 09:40:54 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on December 04, 2013, 09:37:47 amMy address also has "Hills" in itSturmey Archer 3 speed hubs are fairly easy to retrofit, so that'll help both up and down hills. Disc brakes are also a worth addition!Spencer

author: apelly
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 04, 2013, 09:51:08 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on December 04, 2013, 08:56:18 amYou busted them dude...

author: apelly
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 04, 2013, 09:54:31 am
content: It's Dave's toy. He should do whatever he wants. I'd be careful to keep it street legal though.

author: DeepThought
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 04, 2013, 10:48:39 am
content: I would suggest, get a engine from a EV motorcycle. Or get two of those little chines hub motors for scooters.Plus a really beefy LiFePo4 pack.As a added bonus, you would have to learn (and blog) something about battery management and DC brushless or AC induction motor drive.Your EV friend can surely hook you up with the right things and people. (forgot his name. He was on the video blog before)I will probably never get to do such a project due to price. But I reckon you could kickstart fund it.With the financial bits sorted, you are left with some ugly mechanical problems.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 04, 2013, 11:00:03 am
content: Quote from: semach.the.monkey on December 04, 2013, 09:40:54 amDefine "fairly easy"?From what I see it looks like it involves welding of some description, that's kinda out of my current skillset.http://c5alive.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=2964.0

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2013, 11:31:16 am
content: Make an offer on this one:http://www.ebay.com/itm/BAC-TSR2-RAF-Aircraft-Olympus-320-Jet-Engine-TSR-2-UNIQUE-Oportunity-/130574234473?pt=Motors_Aviation_Parts_Gear&hash=item1e66d4b369&vxp=mtrShould solve your problem with steep hills....no welding required.

author: AndersAnd
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2013, 11:33:30 am
content: See if it will blend:http://www.willitblend.com

author: semach.the.monkey
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 04, 2013, 11:58:44 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on December 04, 2013, 11:00:03 amYeah, but only a little bit of welding. Get the bits ready, and pop in to your local mechanic and it'll be done in 10 minutes for the cost of a couple of beers!Or, as Wytnucls suggests, go jet powered;http://www.jetpower.co.uk/c5home.htmSpencer

author: angst7
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2013, 03:40:53 pm
content: Seems like if you want a piece of living history, for the full nostalgia effect you should make only the bare minimum modifications to it for practical use and focus on keeping it original.If you want a fun kit car, mod away, but then it's not a C5 anymore, is it?

author: kfitch42
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2013, 04:05:54 pm
content: Put a line of LEDs on the rear wheel covers. They could form a POV display when the wheels are turning.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2013, 08:19:18 pm
content: should is send you a Tesla battery pack and drive train ?That would be a hack ... sinclair C5 with Tesla powertrain ..0 to 60MPH in subsecond.... goes once around the world on a single charge. Step on the accelerator and see the bodywork peel off due to air resistance.

author: Spikee
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2013, 09:27:25 pm
content: Get some 6S 10 /20Ah batteries (use hobbyking buddy codes for 10-50% off)and a 8.6Kw rc motorThis will make it real fast and go up a steep hill.The hard part is to find a controller that can handle this thing.

author: peter.mitchell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2013, 05:52:14 am
content: Quote from: Spikee on December 04, 2013, 09:27:25 pmI wouldn't suggest that...

author: JoannaK
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2013, 01:21:37 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on December 04, 2013, 08:56:18 amI'd recommend against this idea.. not that time travel would't be awesome, but consider the *safety* of someone trying to reach 88mph with a dingy like C5

author: Dongulus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2013, 12:31:13 am
content: Something like this is probably better as a talking piece rather than a practical vehicle. I suggest trying to restore it to as close as you can to it's former glory.Whatever you do, you should definitely get the poncho.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2013, 02:28:43 am
content: Upgrade it, but try to make the mods easily reversible.

author: peter.mitchell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2013, 12:36:19 pm
content: Dave, if you haven't seen it, you should check otuhttp://endless-sphere.com/forums/index.phpit has lots of info on this kinda thing.

author: MrAureliusR
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 09, 2013, 02:48:52 am
content: Definitely, definitely, DEFINITELY mod it. Making it a practical form of transportation is what Clive Sinclair had in mind -- I believe hacking it into something practical is more in the spirit of the C5 than restoring it.

author: DeepThought
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 09, 2013, 11:56:04 am
content: http://www.goldenmotor.com/has it all.

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2013, 06:57:07 pm
content: This:http://youtu.be/dJfSS0ZXYdo?t=5m12s

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 10, 2013, 11:11:51 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on December 10, 2013, 08:47:43 amNo kidding. It basically as bad as I expected it could be. Was hoping I'd get lucky, but

author: MojoJojo
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 12, 2013, 02:18:03 am
content: The question should be rephrased: "Should Dave give up his engineer card so he can join the historical preservation society?"

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2013, 11:26:35 am
content: Dave, you should keep the looks original and maybe add a brushless motor with reverse and a LiFePo battery

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2013, 06:36:57 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on December 04, 2013, 11:00:03 amWelding, meh, it's just glorified soldering. Should get yourself a MIG setup, they even do gasless now (kind of like rosin core solder). Those welding masks with the quick clear eye shields are great and dirt cheap too, used to cost over £500 each back in the 90's. I got me an apron and gauntlets for £5 from ALDI. I highly recommend doing a Eurotorch conversion to any cheapo MIG set too.