So, my main EV related activities currently are limited to:
- Catching up 3 years of evtv.me (within 5-6 months)
- Collecting data on batteries, motors, controllers, chargers
- Planning a renovation of a shed into a garage (one needs a place to work)
- Looking for a car lift
- Reading the S80's service manuals
- Reading, reading, reading.
I do want to go with AC because of regen. Not that I expect much improvement on range but because there are many hills and mountains here. Driving down a hill for 5min or more would certainly get my brakes smoking.
There are a few interesting things installed in the S80. Going with a modern car with lots of electronics seems to have its advantages and disadvantages. I will have to fake some signals to get the ECU and other parts into thinking that the engine is running. Also picking up the gas pedal signal might be tricky. It is digitally transmitted to the ECU which in turn controls a throttle step-motor. In order to get cruise-control working, the signal from the ECU has to be used as input for the controller - somehow. But other parts like a vacuum-pump or a ceramic heater elemet magically already are available. Very convenient.
One thing I think most about is the 12V power supply. I would like not to have to install a 12V auxiliary battery - but still I need enough power for the ABS motor in an emergency in case the fan is blowing at full power, the seat heater is on, rear-window defogger is on and the wipers, turn-indicators and head-lights are on. Probably requires some current measurements.
Unfortunately no one is interested in the original engine or other parts. Well, did you ever hear of a Volvo engine fail? Well, neither did I. In the worst case I'll mount it to the garage wall as a trophy :)