TRYING TO GET OUR BUDGET DIY ELECTRIC MINI COOPER RUNNING

EV Channels Review

This video chronicles the ongoing DIY electric conversion of a budget Mini Cooper, focusing on the challenges and solutions encountered in the latest stage of the project. The host details the process of integrating Chevy Volt batteries, highlighting why they were chosen over more expensive Tesla modules or heavier lead-acid options due to budget and range considerations. Significant effort is dedicated to the cooling system for the controller and the complex wiring of the Battery Management System (BMS), emphasizing its critical role in safety and preventing battery overcharging. The episode also addresses crucial safety features, including the installation of an inertia switch and an emergency kill switch, to mitigate risks in case of collision or system malfunction. The host explains the decision to relocate the batteries from a potential under-car position to the rear seat area to maintain budget and avoid ground clearance issues, necessitating the removal of the rear seats. While the core electrical systems are being connected, the video concludes with the wheels spinning for the first time, a positive step towards the vehicle's completion, with the next episode promising the maiden voyage.