billvon 3,121 #1 November 5, 2007 The latest in the ebike saga - So I was thinking. Electric bikes are great and all but a) they're expensive if you buy them new, b) it takes a long time to convert one if they're aftermarket c) people don't like to mess with their expensive high performance bikes and d) they can't carry much anyway (if you use them to go to the store for example. But what if the power system is in a trailer? Would solve the above problems. Keep your bike the way it is, and when you want power (or want to go to the store) connect the trailer and away you go. You get power and additional storage space. Below is a pic of my first trailer experiment. There's a 400 watt hub motor on the back wheel (I am running it at about 1200 watts; seems to work fine) a controller (black thing) a ni-mh 36 volt battery pack (silver) and a 72 volt lead acid pack (yellow.) Both battery packs are there so I can try it at both voltages and to give it some extra weight. (Simulates a heavy load and gives better traction.) Initial tests: 36 volt batt 13.5mph 39 volts 250 watts 72 volt batt 23.5mph 70 volts 700 watts Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drdive 0 #2 November 5, 2007 Wow. Great concept. You have too much time on your hands "We saved your gear. Now you can sell it when you get out of the hospital and upsize!!" "K-Dub" " Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.Bill 0 #3 November 5, 2007 So what's the yellow thing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shell666 0 #4 November 5, 2007 And to think I thought you'd come up with a way for me to crank up my tent trailer without ME having to CRANK UP my tent trailer. 'Shell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,121 #5 November 5, 2007 Sorry, that's a lead-acid battery. (Big and heavy but good for testing.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiver30960 0 #6 November 5, 2007 All I need to know now is the approximate range and approximate retail cost to the consumer! Elvisio "you GOTTA start selling this stuff" Rodriguez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #7 November 5, 2007 Pretty cool rig up. A mayor in a nearby city hasn't driven a car himself, in the four years of his recent term. He rides an electric bike. *(He does have a driver for longer journeys, and of course, flies). I forwarded your post to his chief of staff. I like the Pelican case conversion. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindsey 0 #8 November 5, 2007 That's cool. I want one. So'd you buy a new bike? Babysitter's broken something on both of mine. Gotta take 'em in to get fixed. Not all that handy myself...lol.-- A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #9 November 5, 2007 Chariots of Wire.Cool beans. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #10 November 5, 2007 You are the most coolest geek I know.On a side note: My 75 year old Dad who lives up in the hills and can afford a limo with a chauffeur rides his electric bike everywhere. I'm going to show him your pic. _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,121 #11 November 5, 2007 > All I need to know now is the approximate range and approximate > retail cost to the consumer! Cost of the motor/trailer/controller - about $400, building a simpler trailer myself. Batteries are the big question mark. A123 has some _very_ nice batteries; DeWalt uses them in their electric drills. A decent pack of them would cost around $200 (for a range of about 20 miles.) But it's impossible to estimate battery costs lately because things are changing so rapidly; a LOT of companies are releasing products lately. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #12 November 5, 2007 B.O.B. = Bring Own Battery?quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeForsythe 0 #13 November 5, 2007 They have been out for a while. Saw my first one a few years ago at the EAA conference. I thought it was a great concept, I hope you can revive it as I think it has great potential. But if you are going to be in the 21st century Bill, you know it has to be made of carbon fiberBest of luck Time and pressure will always show you who a person really is! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #14 November 5, 2007 You ain't foolin' nobody...that's the wife's bike and the gadgetry is only for vibrating the seat. My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IanHarrop 43 #15 November 5, 2007 So how does using a trialer to provide power impact your ride? I am thinking about control issues. Also, playing devils advocate here, what happens if you make a hard turn or fall off your bike?"Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me" Dorothy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #16 November 5, 2007 Bill: do you have a pic showing the trailer monted on the bike? I'm curious about what kind of joint you used.Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #17 November 5, 2007 QuoteBill: do you have a pic showing the trailer monted on the bike? I'm curious about what kind of joint you used. That trailer is an off-the-shelf item; B.O.B. Ibex. http://www.bobtrailers.com/trailers/trailer.php?product_id=11"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #18 November 5, 2007 mmm... I am curious... Does it make the bike feel wobbly when power is applied? Having power being transfered from the rear like that I mean...Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #19 November 5, 2007 Quote mmm... I am curious... Does it make the bike feel wobbly when power is applied? Having power being transfered from the rear like that I mean... I'm curious, too. My theory is that going straight would be no problem, but pouring on the power while turning might cause the trailer to jack-knife. I'm looking forward to seeing the video when Bill takes that rig to the Bonneville Salt Flats and loads up the trailer with lithium cells. "There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #20 November 5, 2007 Quote I'm curious, too. My theory is that going straight would be no problem, but pouring on the power while turning might cause the trailer to jack-knife. That was what I was thinking. So, Bill, remember to get video when you test it at the slalom course! Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,121 #21 November 5, 2007 >Does it make the bike feel wobbly when power is applied? Nope. I can even use power in turns. It wants to high-side a bit but I expected that. Wasn't a big deal. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #22 November 5, 2007 Quote >Does it make the bike feel wobbly when power is applied? Nope. I can even use power in turns. It wants to high-side a bit but I expected that. Wasn't a big deal. Well, then obviously you need more power!"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #23 November 5, 2007 Quotemmm... I am curious... Does it make the bike feel wobbly when power is applied? Having power being transfered from the rear like that I mean... Similarly, what about braking? No fishtailing? Is there a brake on the trailer?My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackC 0 #24 November 5, 2007 Bill, how would you stand with a patent now that this stuff is in the public domain? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #25 November 5, 2007 With all the gizmos on the trailer, I wonder where the groceries are going to fit... Neat idea. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
.thumb.jpg.4bb795e2eaf21b8b300039a5e1ec7f92.jpg)