Putting a Tesla Battery In My VW Bus

[@mediasurfer]

Boy! This is true DIY stuff! 😅

[@FarnhamTV]

Awesome build. Keep it coming.

[@bernietime]

More to come this week!

[@Beachmangarage]

Question - do you think you could have shortened the case without removing the penthouse and batteries - was it literally just hollow at that end or were there some coolant pipes etc....? Nice conversion btw

[@bernietime]

Thank you! Yes, you could however there are four coolant lines that come out from the front of each battery module. I suppose if you cut the case on the top first, you could remove the front portion of that and disconnect those lines, and then cut through the bottom, half of the case. If I already do it again that’s what I would do because that was way too much work.

[@LetitiaBernstein]

Impressive

[@electricbuilds5540]

Great progress and entertainment!

[@bernietime]

Thank you!!

[@cooperscorner7707]

Honestly didn't think the battery would slip in. Bravo on the ingenuity.

[@bernietime]

I literally had 1 inch to spare. I really hope I never have to take this thing out because that is going to be a huge pain.

[@jornramel5094]

Fantastic Build good to see how you shorten the battery pack thinking of doing something similar cheers from Australia

[@R2C2ss]

That is really sick 😮. Looking forward to seeing the project progressing. Good luck from Germany 👍🏻.

[@bernietime]

You and me both!

[@dr.crimper1733]

We need a video where you install all the wiring!!

[@johnhartevw]

Subscribed - Hello from the UK

[@invisi1407]

Subscribed! Fun project!

[@bernietime]

Thanks!! Motor install video coming this week

[@JanvanHaarst]

A bit late, but wouldn't it have been a lot easier to reassemble the battery inside the car ? Or are the bolts that hold the cover on on the bottom ?

[@bernietime]

That was my original plan. However, with the exposed bottom side of the battery, it was just too dangerous and risky to maneuver the batteries around all the exposed metal.

[@SkaterStimm]

I have a 68 double cab, and it's sad they welded up your access to underneath the seat, we have bolts that hold our area together. You will need to weld that frame back together btw. Looks like you won't have any rear seat anymore but I guess you could make a new seat stand and artificial floor that goes over it and the seat would just sit a bit higher to give leg space.

[@bernietime]

You have my dream car! Good point on reinstalling some structural components to that pass-through area. I have an idea for a steel tube frame back there, which will also double as a seat.

[@dr.crimper1733]

What was the price for the batteries and stuff, and where do you byt these stay items? How much was the work labour of all the people in the video, could really need some details for this too be able to make it our self.

[@chrisdabeee6577]

You are living my dream!

[@mojorising68]

Fascinating stufff. I have an 86 Weekender. Is it possible to fit the entire battery pack in the undercarriage? I don’t see a way to do it otherwise.

[@bernietime]

Yes, but you would have to double stack the battery modules. This would decrease your ground clearance in between your real Wells, but not much

[@Ghia66]

Brilliant job!

[@campbellnever2old179]

In retrospect, would you now merely cut off the “empty” end of the pack and shorten the sheet metal covering without removing everything and reassembling?

[@bernietime]

Yes, definitely. It would be pretty nerve-racking cutting it with all the batteries still inside though! Is that what you’re thinking of doing?

[@campbellnever2old179]

@@bernietime My 2 packs were advertised as being LFP.. I’m not sure how much room is at the “empty” end. I would like to ask you to post your solution to cooling. I didn’t buy Tesla pumps/octovalve. I was thinking of a simple 12v automotive water pump and thermostat switch? Would you show us your solution? Also, I would like to ask you to help me complete my installation. Of course, I’d pay daily rate and travel. Thanks, Steve

[@bernietime]

@ message me on Instagram Berniebuilt

[@campbellnever2old179]

OK thanks!

[@DaleKlein]

Slick! Very nice! Does this pack have LFP prismatic, or NMC cylindrical cells?

[@rkan2]

I feel like they are NMC because they take so little space.

[@bernietime]

Cylindrical

[@Daboys2277]

I know that you have older videos of Piaggio Ape conversions. How do I get in touch with you to get your input. I would love your help!

[@bernietime]

Send me a message on Instagram! It’s on my profile

[@MMMM2MMMM2MMMM]

How are you going to cool that battery?

[@bernietime]

I’m using the current lines that came from the Tesla originally. There will be a video coming out on that process soon

[@brianburger5221]

Well done good sir

[@АндрейМихайлов-о6я3ц]

7:49 shortened battery pack... sounds dangerous...

[@bernietime]

It was definitely scary.

[@SivoTV]

Impressive!

[@bernietime]

Thank you!!

[@egjorgov]

Should have installed the engine on the front wheels an you could have retaining the rear engine to get synchro drive vanagon, good job on the build.

[@bernietime]

Next week, I am installing a second Tesla motor in the front so it will be a true all-wheel-drive electric syncro

[@christopherbrown6697]

That's my eventual goal: TDI driving the rear wheels, electric drive up front. There's already a potentiometer throttle for the TDI, next steps are electric power steering and brake booster to divorce those systems from the TDI. I'm in the process of refurbishing a complete spare front subframe and suspension, as the front end is a bit tired, but the current subframe will get torn down to eventually get an electric motor. I'm not sure which one yet, hence checking out as many of these videos.

[@MickeysMice]

I hope you realize that there isn't a frame where everything sits on. It's a monocoque. By removing all that metal, especially the stuf on top of the treasure boxes, you're eating away its structural integrity.

[@rcpmac]

Have you never been under a vanagon? kzbin.info/www/bejne/gn-wYWOIg5WfobM&si=TWiDH4RPR4rRL4pc

[@unbelievablegoodio7176]

You are right. Not a clever idea to cut that, that's no American car with a frame. These batteries could go in loose from the inside, single by single, only on frames. They do not need a bottom part like in Teslas, that's the VW bottom now. The battery top is also just a primitive cover now, because its inside the car and no rain and nothing splashing there like under a Tesla. So a very poor and bad idea to cut the structure of the VW, VERY bad. Engineering wise a total failure. If you want to do something good, install a hydrogen tank there. EV is out.

[@bernietime]

Definitely some valid points! There are frame rails built into the battery package. These are the frame rails of the Tesla. Hopefully, when I bolt it down to the frame of the Doka, it will add strength

[@christopherbrown6697]

While it isn't a true body-on-frame vehicle, the T3 does have integrated frame rails that run the full length of the vehicle, and the boxed rockers, if intact, help as well. The removed beams likely affect the load bed capacity more than overall vehicle integrity, but any lost strength could be restored by making a bolt-in section that replaces the removed framework. Underneath, If the longitudinal rails that flanked the Syncro prop shaft are retained, they would strengthen things as well. If those bolt up to the front subframe per original and conect to the Tesla motor cradle, that would essentially form a sub-chassis that takes up around 90% of the DoKa's length.

[@sarperriza5550]

YOU TALK TOMUCH

[@3ne2nr4life]

Good content, stop talking so much throughout the process.. Explain before and just get what you explained done...

[@bernietime]

Thanks for the pointer! Will definitely do that in the next video

[@VolksStokes]

@@bernietimeYou are doing fine! Some ppl are so opinionated and if they could.. they would even tell Einstein or Jesus how to live. You did perfectly fine! Unfortunately, we got no shortage of such folks

[@kpdvw]

Blasphemy destroying a DOKA like that...!

[@sarperriza5550]

STOP TALKING YOU TALK TOO MUCH

[@mehatestaxes]

Tesla motor aside, this guy looks like a male model. I know everyone noticed.

[@bernietime]

Lol