It also facilitates instruction on battery management system (BMS) safety functions, controller area network (CAN) diagnostics and ASE L3 certification competencies.
All the components on the trainer are actual auto components that could be put in a vehicle.
“The setup has all of the powertrain components needed to convert a vehicle into an electric vehicle,” said Andrea Mitofsky, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Mark Weller, who has taught college automotive classes for 20 years, developed the EV Trainer Cart after seeing the need to teach the electric vehicle drivetrain in an easy-to-learn format using real components.
Faculty training
On Sept. 15 and 16, Weller, instructor and cart designer, came to Trine’s campus to train John Liu, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Wade Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Joe Thompson, laboratory manager and instructor, and Andrea Mitofsky, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, on the system.
Weller also spoke to Dr. Mitofsky’s Automotive Electronics class about electric vehicles and their components.
“Students were enlightened about some of the engineering opportunities with EVs as this segment of transportation continues to grow,” Weller said.
Mark Weller, second from right, instructor and cart designer for EV West, leads a training session on the EV Trainer Cart recently purchased by Trine University. From left are Andrea Mitofsky, Ph.D., professor in Trine’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Joe Thompson, laboratory manager and instructor, and, at right, John Liu, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Wade Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. (Photo by Dean Orewiler)
Based in San Marcos, California, EV West specializes in converting vehicles from gas to electric.
