[Caevlist] 2000 Corbin Sparrow

[Glenn Burket]

Hi Stephen, 

I have a general design, fabrication, and repair business with some EV experience and parts (new and used controllers, chargers, etc.) . If you would like some help with your project, please contact me. 

Re what Kirk is referring to for stability, at least one vehicle manufacturer added a thick lead plate to the bottom of their EV to restore stability when they switched from LA to lithium batteries. 

These days, you can pick up a used Leaf, after rebates, for ~$2K (is this still correct?). You would have a much safer and more practical vehicle than the Sparrow. Maybe you just want a unique vehicle to blast around town and short distances. You would certainly get a lot more attention! 

Glenn 


From: "Kirk Swaney, SHIFT Electric Vehicles LLC" <kirk at SHIFTev.com> 
To: "Stephen Hodges" <stephen at bosonhub.com>, "Corvallis EV CLub" <caevlist at caevclub.org> 
Sent: Monday, October 16, 2023 7:58:27 AM 
Subject: Re: [Caevlist] 2000 Corbin Sparrow 

Hi Stephen, 

Sounds fun. Most sparrows used a simple series-wound brushed dc motor and Curtis 1209 controller. There are many on evAlbum.com. Perhaps one thats been converted to lithium by someone who would share the e perience with you? 

Optima yellow or blue group 34 will cost more than lithium. Keep in mind that with conversion of batteries to lithium comes conversion or replacement of the charger too, and the addition of a BMS + integration time. A good learning project. 

The lead weight added stability, so keep CG in mind with lithium placement. Especially since it's on 3 wheels. I rolled an electric 3 wheeler in 1996 and it took the joy right out of the ride lol. 

Kirk 

-------- Original message -------- 
From: Stephen Hodges <stephen at bosonhub.com> 
Date: 10/15/23 10:10 PM (GMT-08:00) 
To: Corvallis EV CLub <caevlist at caevclub.org> 
Subject: [Caevlist] 2000 Corbin Sparrow 

Hi all 

A friend of mine has a Corbin Sparrow and we are considering a restoration for my YouTube channel. However, we’re not quite sure where to start. Regardless, we want the car back on the road. Any input would be helpful, especially on the cost of batteries. 

Condition: (from the owner) 

“Does TheBadIdeasGarage want to work on then do a review of my 2000 Corbin Sparrow? It needs all batteries replaced. 13 optima yellow top 34’s. Also needs Brake work since it’s not need driven for at least 3 years. And who knows what else.” 

We certainly do not have the capabilities to do major work, however, he is perspectively interested to see what it would be cost wise to upgrade to lithium batteries. Apparently, there are folks who have done this around the country. I thought I would start with our group First, I know ShiftEV is obviously a part of it. He is trying to do a cost benefit analysis before replacing the batteries with what is there. 





I have an image attached, not sure if that is going to come through. 

Thanks! 

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