My 1985 Bedford CF EV -- a passenger version!
My 1985 Bedford CF EV -- a passenger version!
Since this appears to be where everyone posts photos of their EVs, here's a couple of my 1985 Bedford CF Electric passenger van.
The name badge on the front grill should be a tip-off on where I'm located.
John N3NFO
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- MaryRCrumpton
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My 1985 Bedford CF EV -- a passenger version!
Haven't actually put it on the road just yet.
Right now I've got the battery tray out from under the vehicle. Since this van has a 216V system, it has 36 6V batteries in series. The original Chloride batteries are long gone, and it currently has a set of US Battery US-2000s. A faulty watering system caused certain cells of the current battery pack to repeatedly overflow. I'm working on getting the SG of those cells back up to somewhere near normal. When that's done, I'll be ready to put the tray back under the van, and, when a few other little loose ends are tied up, take it for an inaugural drive round the block.
- John
Right now I've got the battery tray out from under the vehicle. Since this van has a 216V system, it has 36 6V batteries in series. The original Chloride batteries are long gone, and it currently has a set of US Battery US-2000s. A faulty watering system caused certain cells of the current battery pack to repeatedly overflow. I'm working on getting the SG of those cells back up to somewhere near normal. When that's done, I'll be ready to put the tray back under the van, and, when a few other little loose ends are tied up, take it for an inaugural drive round the block.
- John
Interesting vehicle. No doubt you knew that our own Prince Philip had one like that back in the 1980's. I recall reading about it in the newspapers back then.
http://vboa.org.uk/index.php/committee/ ... =n1&inc=33
http://www.mamut.net/svenskavauxhallregis/juli_26.jpg
I recall my local electricty company (Southern Electric) using similar vehicles back then.
http://vboa.org.uk/index.php/committee/ ... =n1&inc=33
http://www.mamut.net/svenskavauxhallregis/juli_26.jpg
I recall my local electricty company (Southern Electric) using similar vehicles back then.
- retepsnikrep
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Interesting anecdote about the one Prince Phillip had.
Many years ago about 1986 I think, as a young Police Constable in London, I was instructed to stand outside a posh hotel with a colleague because a VIP was due to arrive. We kept the press hordes back with a trusty glare and a swift beating with a wooden stick. Anyway this crappy old Bedford van pulled up next to the red carpet. I thought WTF and rushed over to the driver telling him to get that cr*p shifted as a vip was due to arrive.
Lo and Behold side door opens and Prince P clambers out laughing at me saying something to the effect "Ha Ha officer you won't be the last to do that blah blah" Hole opens in ground and swallows me while driver sits there grinning before it glides away on good old lead acid power. Something to tell the Grandkids I suppose
Many years ago about 1986 I think, as a young Police Constable in London, I was instructed to stand outside a posh hotel with a colleague because a VIP was due to arrive. We kept the press hordes back with a trusty glare and a swift beating with a wooden stick. Anyway this crappy old Bedford van pulled up next to the red carpet. I thought WTF and rushed over to the driver telling him to get that cr*p shifted as a vip was due to arrive.
Lo and Behold side door opens and Prince P clambers out laughing at me saying something to the effect "Ha Ha officer you won't be the last to do that blah blah" Hole opens in ground and swallows me while driver sits there grinning before it glides away on good old lead acid power. Something to tell the Grandkids I suppose
Regards Peter
Two MK1 Honda Insight's. One running 20ah A123 Lithium pack. One 8ah BetterBattery Nimh pack.
One HCH1 Civic Hybrid running 60ah A123 Lithium pack.
Two MK1 Honda Insight's. One running 20ah A123 Lithium pack. One 8ah BetterBattery Nimh pack.
One HCH1 Civic Hybrid running 60ah A123 Lithium pack.
Re: My 1985 Bedford CF EV -- a passenger version!
Update on the saga of this van. John (my son) passed away in 2013. He was an electronic engineer and understood all the workings of this vehicle. I have kept the van garaged since then , but would like to get it back on the road. I know next to nothing about electronics, and hope that there may be some "Griffon Gurus" out there who could give me advice on how to convert the old battery design to one of the more modern battery systems as used in modern electric vehicles. Thank you for keeping the original post of the Griffon alive!
Bob N3NPE
Bob N3NPE
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Re: My 1985 Bedford CF EV -- a passenger version!
Interesting van, i wonder why they used different wheels.
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