Charging Stations are a rip-off

I started to explore the Smart Charging Stations available in the market. It ranges from $1000 - $2000. 
What does it do?

• It is not a charger. It provides an interface to industry standard SAE J1772 connector.
• Its CDMA/GPRS/3G enabled and connects to internet
• 802.15.4 dynamic mesh network enabled
• programmable to start stop charging
• Woud alert you when
• it starts/completes charging
• someone disconnects the connector
• tries to steal electricity from the connector

No it doesn't do any voltage conversion. AC to DC conversion happens in the car, before the Batteries are charged.

Yes, it is not trivial, but is it worth $2K. In my opinion it is not worth it. This to me is a new business opportunity..

First Step - Electric Vacuum Pump

After looking at many choices, finally decided to order the Vacuum Pump from Stainless Steel Brakes. 

Kit includes a vacuum pump, mounting hardware, vacuum switch, and relay. . I had to drill holes in the bay, install the kit. 
I was not familiar with the electrical circuitry and for this kit to function correctly, 

• the electric connection had to be ignition source - meaning it should be powered only when the ignition is turned on
• Relay and switch had to be grounded

Mike refreshed my memory about how to use a multi-meter and also guided me to design a mounting plate and to install it.


I followed the instructions thoroughly and installed the pump, followed by switch and relay. Connected everything together, verified the connections again to ensure I didn't mess anything up. Turned on the ignition... Voila!!! Vacuum pump started and I tested the brake pressure and it worked as it is supposed to. Played with the brakes couple of times and went for a test drive with my son for a trip to local Walmart to buy gifts for coupe of his friends' Birthdays..  Everything worked as it should be. I noticed that the pump makes quite a bit of noise, while it creates the vacuum. bbbbbrrrrrrrr  

Bonus: I saw an electric wire hanging out. Mike and I tried to figure out whether this needed to be connected or it is a redundant connection. We finally figured out that this is a connection that drives emergency lights!! The emergency lights never worked after I bought this car and I never bothered to find out why. After I connected the wire, emergency lights came to life!!

My approach EV Conversion

It is my first convertible, my first MGB and is gonna be my first EV.. I enjoy driving my MGB and want to know her better - how she drives, handles the corners, on the freeway. 
I wanted really know how she behaved before the conversion. Someone in one of the forums mentioned that MGB need to be really on the road and needs to be taken care, unlike other cas and MGBs have soul (sounds funny?); and I wanted to really know the soul. I want to see if the soul exist after the removing the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE), tranny, radiator, etc..


I wanted to drive my MGB on ICE, while I convert to electric. I wanted to slowly remove the dependency on ICE -

• the hydraulic brakes need vacuum to to apply the brakes. ICE feeds vacuum to Hydraulic Brakes and this is my first step for the conversion..
• ICE will be replaced by AC50 Hi Performance motor. I would mount the motor, test it; then switch it back to ICE
• Heater circulates the hot water from ICE and fan blows hot air through the vents. I would convert this to use Ceramic heater. 
• Finally I would add Battery, charger and BMS (Battery Management System). After I test the Battery and BMS, I'll do the complete switch-over to Electric

Of course this is the plan and will see how it works out.