What should Dave do with his Sinclair C5?

[ChrisGammell]

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.

[EEVblog]

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 given 
Don'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.

[EEVblog]

Oh boy, so much for the original LED display, this looks awesome!
http://www.c5owners.com/sinclair-c5-x-pod.aspx

[Bored@Work]

If it is intended as an investment don't change anything.
If it is intended for fun, hack and slash it as you please.

[peter.mitchell]

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.

[Kjelt]

Build in a flux capacitor, you know you want it 

[EEVblog]

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.

It doesn't come with a battery, so that's open slather from the get go. But LiFePO4 is pricey.

[EEVblog]

Build in a flux capacitor, you know you want it 

I have the time circuits...

[semach.the.monkey]

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

[EEVblog]

In the summer though, I'll be fitting all new modern electric running gear.

I'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....

[semach.the.monkey]

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....

My address also has "Hills" in it Sturmey 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

[apelly]

Build in a flux capacitor, you know you want it 

I have the time circuits...

You busted them dude...

[apelly]

It's Dave's toy. He should do whatever he wants. I'd be careful to keep it street legal though.

[DeepThought]

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.

[EEVblog]

My address also has "Hills" in it Sturmey 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!

Define "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

[Wytnucls]

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=mtr

Should solve your problem with steep hills....no welding required.

[AndersAnd]

See if it will blend: http://www.willitblend.com

[semach.the.monkey]

Define "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

Yeah, 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.htm

Spencer

[angst7]

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?

[kfitch42]

Put a line of LEDs on the rear wheel covers. They could form a POV display when the wheels are turning.

[free_electron]

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.

[Spikee]

Get some 6S 10 /20Ah batteries (use hobbyking buddy codes for 10-50% off)
and a 8.6Kw rc motor


This will make it real fast and go up a steep hill.

The hard part is to find a controller that can handle this thing.

[peter.mitchell]

Get some 6S 10 /20Ah batteries (use hobbyking buddy codes for 10-50% off)
and a 8.6Kw rc motor


This will make it real fast and go up a steep hill.

The hard part is to find a controller that can handle this thing.

I wouldn't suggest that...

[JoannaK]

Build in a flux capacitor, you know you want it 

I have the time circuits...

I'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 

[Dongulus]

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.