Pontiac Firefly AKA 'The Electrafly' conversion from ICE to 132V DC Electric
Colin J McCubbin.© 2008/2025 ( Click on any thumbnail to enlarge it. )
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1853b
Albright SW-200 Dimension Sheet.

1854
The yellow tube is a small fuse in series with a resistor (Value 25W, 750 Ohms, the gold item bolted to the plate), across the SW-200 main terminals.

This allows a very small amount of current flow into the capacitors in the controller and allows them to be 'precharged' (stops current rush on turn on which can harm them). This means that even with the relay off, there is actually 132v at the controller.

Full turn off/isolation can only be achieved by pulling the emergency stop switch.

1856
The Crash Sensor cut out switch (the item with the rubber top) mounted on the throttle cable flange.

The Crash Sensor switch is similar to an airbag trigger. It consists of a weight, held by a magnet, in between two spring terminals, in a crash, it's momentum pops the weight out and breaks the circuit. Press the top to push it back into the springs and 'reset' it.

1856a

1856b
The Crash Sensor spec sheet. Page 2.

In the set position contact is made between the two outside terminals. This breaks in a crash.



1858
With the batteries in the rear end sags 'till I can't get a hand between the wheel and wheel arch. I'm fitting Firestone Coil-Rite Air Assist bags to cure this.

They fit inside the rear springs, and need a way for the inflation hoze to get to the end of the bag. So, after removing a coil spring I drilled a hole in the center of the bottom spring mount.

1860
In theory the knuckle should be easily removable by undoing and withdrawing the bolt at the bottom. It wouldn't undo, despite liberal pentetrating oil over several days. Can't use heat due to the rubber bush, and trying it on a scrap car I sheared the head off, so I'm dropping the strut down instead to get the spring out.

1863
Here is the sheared off bolt, both ends sheared(!). This knuckle is actually from a Swift GTI which has disk brakes on the rear. I was collecting a pair from a scrap yard with the intention of doing a drum/disk swap at some point in the future.

I need to see if the rubber sleeve assby can be pressed out of the knuckle and replaced. Part # anyone?

1866
Geting the bag inside the spring is a pain. I deflated it and held it squashed with cable ties, made it a lot easier.

1868
The airbag has an inflation hose situated in the center of the end. I drilled a hole in the center of the spring seat in the lower arm to allow the hose to pass through.

1870
Bag sitting in spring, bottom view.

1871
Bag sitting in spring, bottom view. With air hose attached. Also a half inch thick spacer dropped over the end.

1872
Bag and spring back in the vehicle. The air hose passes through the hole in the bottom arm, and will be routed to an inflation tire valve in the rear trunk. Both sides will be independantly adjustable to allow separate leveling of each side. (Note the spring has yet to be rotated to locate the end in the notch in the baseplate.)

1875
Firestone 'Coil Rite' instruction sheet.

5 to 35 psi is the recomended inflation range.

1886
Prototyping the motor mount in eighth inch ply and hot glue..

I had to make the chassis rail part that high to allow the rubber mounting (which is wider than the rail) to fit into the space where the wheel arch goes away.

1887
Prototyping the motor mount in eighth inch ply and hot glue..

Motor dropped down a bit to allow access to the top right bolt hole.

Hot glue and ply wood again, a great way to take templates. (I use this a lot to scribe kitchen counters to walls, etc..)


1892
Prototyping the motor mount in eighth inch ply and hot glue..

Above: Welded article, which will be welded to the chassis rail. (Rats! Shame I'd painted the chassis after the front end repairs...Oh well..).. Note the red engine mount on top.

Below: Ply mock up.

1895
Motor mount drop arm. Finished, welded article, 1/4" plate.

1897
Here's the Hall Effect sensor, fitted by the manufacturer in a threaded tube. I need to mount it on my new motor mount next.



From evparts.com Item 1N2551.


1901
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