Bios from out techies

5424 Views 16 Replies 13 Participants Last post by NJFISKERGUY, Sep 28, 2013

Mikey43

Discussion Starter · Aug 30, 2013

We have so many wonderful Techies posting on this buzz---Lormax, Harleyguy--8avg etc etc.

I think it would be wonderful if they posted some biographical info as to where they are located now and how they originally got involved with Fisker.
And of course anything else they want to share.
Would like to get there specualtion on the future of our Fiskers 5 and 10 years out. Do they think this car will ever be a classic.

How long do they think they will be involved with the Fisker?

You guys have all been great and are give considerable comfort to the Fisker community.

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

Harleyguy

· #2 · Aug 31, 2013

I will start off
I can probably say I'm the oldest technician here
South Florida
Same Dealership 22 years shop foreman owner wanted me to take Fisker under my wing
I'm the only one that works on them . I also handle parts and service writer position for Fisker . Also shop foreman for one of our other brands Volvo .
Two years college four years technical training
Only ever worked on foreign cars
Spent a good time in the racing end as in Indy car and 1/4 Pro mod class
Built custom choppers with and high performance Harley engines but specialized in Cylinder Head work porting polishing flow bench etc.
Not worried where Fisker will be in five years Its a day by day company now .
As far a collector car hard one to answer yes if you can keep it running .
Made some good freinds on the forum even though we never have met Ed , Travis ,
Been turning wrenches since the late 70's
Also was in a Fire Department on Long Island for 17 years specialized in heavy rescue
Lost a lot of close freinds in 911
Hope this gives you a little insite trust me there is a lot more but better stop don't want to bore anyone

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dahall09

· #3 · Sep 10, 2013

Since I am new to the site I wanted to give a little more background about me.

I was the Chief Electrical Engineer for VL Automotive/Concorde Manufacturing. The purpose of the company was to turn Karma's into a gas powertrain vehicle with a LS9. I engineered the new electrical architecture for the vehicle. There were several differences in opinions on how the engineering should be which left me to walk away from the program recently.

My background is electrical and has always been since 1988. I started working as a electrical technician and was promoted to a wiring release engineer at GM. I spent years there and supported many programs and plants across the country for GM. I then was promoted and moved over to designing electrical connection systems for Delphi and other customers. Over the years I have filled several patents and written several books about different topics. During that time I have worked contract on many Hybrid vehicles doing engineering electrical architectures and battery systems. I have work on several skunk work electrical vehicles and concept vehicles.

In working with the Karma at VL-Automotive, I have appreciated the design of the vehicle and engineering that it took to get it to market. I have a desire to extend the range of the Karma and opportunities to tune the vehicle further. I want to finish what was started and was never finished. I understand this will be an undertaking but believe it can be done.

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Makis

· #4 · Sep 10, 2013

@dahall09 I have a similar view on the Karma. I am watching all the Tesla's getting wrecked and making good battery packs available. I am wondering what it would take to start a company that can modify/create a long range replacement pack for the Fisker using the TESLA batteries. A few of us can fund such operation once the technology variables are known. Fisker has it in the looks and road feel over the TESLA. IMHO Fisker had an opportunity to design a 100 mile range car with a lot smaller "get me home at 65MPH engine than the 170 KW munster under the hood. From reading everything on this forum and my own experience the car has fixable flaws.
I do believe as a group we can come up with permanent fixes for all of them but extending the range will require lots of brains, money, and group effort. However a Fisker that can go 100+ electric, do a 5sec run to 60 with looks like no other will be priceless.

Nin ja

· #5 · Sep 10, 2013

Makis said:
@dahall09 I have a similar view on the Karma. I am watching all the Tesla's getting wrecked and making good battery packs available. I am wondering what it would take to start a company that can modify/create a long range replacement pack for the Fisker using the TESLA batteries. A few of us can fund such operation once the technology variables are known. Fisker has it in the looks and road feel over the TESLA. IMHO Fisker had an opportunity to design a 100 mile range car with a lot smaller "get me home at 65MPH engine than the 170 KW munster under the hood. From reading everything on this forum and my own experience the car has fixable flaws.
I do believe as a group we can come up with permanent fixes for all of them but extending the range will require lots of brains, money, and group effort. However a Fisker that can go 100+ electric, do a 5sec run to 60 with looks like no other will be priceless.

is the 100K+ with ICE or no ICE? what about a replacement for the ICE for extra room for a replaceable battery pack -- could it reduce weight? I like having the ICE for distance, but it makes so much noise, in hindsight fisker's looks and driving characteristics with a 150 Mile range would meet my needs for around town driving...

MR.BIGGS

· #6 · Sep 11, 2013

dahall09 said:
Since I am new to the site I wanted to give a little more background about me.

I was the Chief Electrical Engineer for VL Automotive/Concorde Manufacturing. The purpose of the company was to turn Karma's into a gas powertrain vehicle with a LS9. I engineered the new electrical architecture for the vehicle. There were several differences in opinions on how the engineering should be which left me to walk away from the program recently.

My background is electrical and has always been since 1988. I started working as a electrical technician and was promoted to a wiring release engineer at GM. I spent years there and supported many programs and plants across the country for GM. I then was promoted and moved over to designing electrical connection systems for Delphi and other customers. Over the years I have filled several patents and written several books about different topics. During that time I have worked contract on many Hybrid vehicles doing engineering electrical architectures and battery systems. I have work on several skunk work electrical vehicles and concept vehicles.

In working with the Karma at VL-Automotive, I have appreciated the design of the vehicle and engineering that it took to get it to market. I have a desire to extend the range of the Karma and opportunities to tune the vehicle further. I want to finish what was started and was never finished. I understand this will be an undertaking but believe it can be done.

How hard is it to convert the Karma over to Gas powered, I mean Vette Powered, lets say what if I had a LSA, LS7, LS3, or LS9 laying around. Is it hard, can it be done. I love my Karma, but having issues with a relay already, and I love the look of the car and some of the tech, but it does have a lot of glitches.

MetalShaper

· #7 · Sep 15, 2013

New to the site..but i think i fit this thread.I worked for Fisker Coachbuild building the original concept of the project NINA...then renamed Atlantic.I then transfered and worked on the development side working with LORMAX and maybe even others on this site?.I worked on solutions and developed some of the first exhaust fix's called the PIZZA BOX.I have a business where i do metal work on high end vehicles.Figured i would come in here and see whats the latest with the Fisker since i left the company.If anyone can use my help with anything feel free to ask.

EVer1

· #8 · Sep 15, 2013

Welcome MetalShaper! No doubt your skills and knowledge will be very helpful as we try to keep the Fisker Karmas on the road going forward. The car you worked on has a happy owner base, except that for most of us our dealer support base has disappeared.

Harleyguy

· #9 · Sep 16, 2013

EVer1 said:
Welcome MetalShaper! No doubt your skills and knowledge will be very helpful as we try to keep the Fisker Karmas on the road going forward. The car you worked on has a happy owner base, except that for most of us our dealer support base has disappeared.

From what I can tell about 6 Fisker dealers have closed up out of the original 42 I'm only basing this on emails I send out to other dealerships

SoCalGuy

· #10 · Sep 25, 2013

Harleyguy said:
From what I can tell about 6 Fisker dealers have closed up out of the original 42 I'm only basing this on emails I send out to other dealerships

I thought it was more like 25+ that have closed... I know Fisker OC, Fisker SD, Fisker NJ all have closed I think Fisker of Denver also closed and I know Fisker SM as of a month or so technically still had a dealership ...

Sigurd

· #11 · Sep 25, 2013

I have no real knowledge, but Frank Kent said that something like only 9 dealers are left (but please don't quote me as I might be wrong).

Lormax

· #12 · Sep 25, 2013

That 'sounds' more correct, based on the feedback I've been getting as well.

8AVGMPG

· #13 · Sep 25, 2013

I think some dealers are only performing servicing if the vehicle was bought there and if it is the original owner too

Harleyguy

· #14 · Sep 25, 2013

Some of my information comes from a Email list I have when we need or someone needs a part I can mass email all the dealers . What ever email gets bounced back I know they have closed .

Lormax

· #15 · Sep 25, 2013

I know Orange County is closed, but their emails won't bounce back.

MetalShaper

· #16 · Sep 28, 2013

3

Here are a couple photos from my fisker days.LORMAX give me a call...

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NJFISKERGUY

· #17 · Sep 28, 2013

I guess I need to make one of those signs for my car...;-)

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