Comments on: 2008 ZAP Xebra PK Electric Truck – Real life user review (Ongoing)

By: DepotEco.com

DepotEco.com — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:09:50 +0000

Ralph, we to learned we had a bad battery when we installed the Pak tracker. For us it was number 5 in our 84 Volt set up. We were able to get ZAP to send us a Warrenty replacement as we caught this early on.. So they sent us the OEM Discovery EV12A. WE called around and found out that These are no longer being offer in the USA. And yes. The Deca Intimidator is the best alternative.

FYI, So Far GPEV has not lead us astray! they are good peeps. Feel good about buying from them. Best of all they can get you the parts you will need!

Get that new Battery in your ZAP !

We are shooting for a NiZn replacement pack from PowerGenix! lets see if i can pull that off

By: Ralph Clevenger

Ralph Clevenger — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 23:17:57 +0000

I need to replace a couple of my ZAP pk batteries, #5 and #1. Seems like #5 battery is an issue for other people too.

GPEV recommends Deca Intimidator batteries but I haven’t been able to find out which Intimidator battery is recommended. With shipping their cost is about $60 more per battery than I can get elsewhere.

Any idea on which Deca Intimidator is the right one to replace the Discover EV12A-A I currently have.

Thanks for any info.

By: DepotEco.com

DepotEco.com — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 01:21:31 +0000

Sergio, Our Driveway is more than a 39% slope!, and thats after we climb about 29% Up to the Driveway. So the Zap Journy is apporxamly a mile up the Public street and then 500 more feet up our 39% slope Asphalt Driveway.
Now there is a trick to. Even with the extra voltage we have at 84 volts, we still have to use a Side loop in our driveway that alows us to serpentien our way up the driveway. Without this move the Zap Cannot climb but about the first 200 feet. Maybe with 94 volts but not with the Stock Curtis 400 Amp controller.

I will shoot a Video here of the Zap going up the driveway so you can see it for your self.. Keep your eyes on this BLog post ill put a link to the Video here and on our Facebook page.

Sounds to me like your Driveway and road leading to it would be a piece of cake for my Zap.

By: sergio riveros

sergio riveros — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:20:33 +0000

Thanks for the review.
I have been thinking of getting a xebra pk, but I also have a very large hill it appears from what some xebra users have told me that at 96 volts the xebra should have very good climbing, and at 84 volts it should climb most hills, but at 72 volts is not very good on hills.
could you tell me how steep and long is the driveway at DepotEco, and at what speed did it got uphill using 84 volts?
Also you mention it was using 368 amps at 72 volts, is that using the standard controller alltrax or curtis, since they are rated at 300amps?.
could you send me the coordinates of the driveway so that I could take a look at it with google earth and have an idea of what the xebra can climb at 84 volts.
I have been thinking on getting a xebra pk but where I live there is a very steep hill with a grade of 20% to 23%, and the hill is almost a mile long, so for me it looks like the upgrade of 84 volts is a must, but maybe it will not be enough it which case the next step is 96 volts which require a controller update.

By: Chris Jordan

Chris Jordan — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 01:52:41 +0000

Thank you very much for the long-time “road test” and great information on the Xebra PU. The Zap dealer in my town dropped all EVs, after selling 2! I purchased an upgraded ‘93 3-wheel City-EL (made in Denmark,imported to CA. in ‘93, now made in Germany).

I almost bought a Xebra since license/insurance is extremely cheap with a 3-wheeler. But when I wanted one they were gone. I am pleased to read about upgrade success on the Xebra. I am very pleased with my EV (only 48 volts necessary- it is much smaller). I want something newer someday and knowing hints about what upgrade are needed is a great benefit!

By: DepotEco.com

DepotEco.com — Fri, 01 May 2009 00:48:57 +0000

Great to have you stop by. WE love our ZAP. We did make some changes to it. But it was all well worth it.
Let us konw when you get one. And enjoy it.

By: Dana

Dana — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 03:38:32 +0000

Just to say hey… I’m thinking about a Zap as a short distance vehicle. I have to go 4miles to the bus stop everyday and thought this would be good for the 2miles to the store as well. Reading your posts as been both entertaining and informative. Thanks so much…

By: tom

tom — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:02:05 +0000

Has there been any head to head comparison of the two variations of the voltage upgrade, or more to the point are you two Zapsters going to race this year? I got to ride in the DepotEco Xebra both before and after the upgrade – big difference! It seems that 84volts is way to go. Much less thinking about who is going to run over you from behind.

By: Dale

Dale — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 02:12:59 +0000

I got the 84v kit installed and the 08 pk is a lot better now, has better acceleration from a stop and maintains speed going over the hills and overpass I need to travel to work.

With 84v the pac is @ 80% when I get to work (5 miles), sits for 8 1/2 hours no charge, the pac is @ 56% when I get back home (5 miles). This is with the stock zap heater on the entire trip to and from work. Hopefully the voltage drains will be less when the heater is not needed.

Dale

By: Dale

Dale — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 13:52:26 +0000

If anyone is planning on installing a 84v kit from GPEV on a Zap pk, I would suggest pricing the parts individually from their site, It will be less to buy the box, charger, battery strap and battery cables from them and buy the #12 wire, connectors and 4 self tapping screws at a hardware store.

I would have have enough money to pay for the 400a fuse with shipping that I needed to complete the conversion.

Not a bad reflection on GPEV, they are great folks and helped me a lot. Just an observation of the money spent.