billvon 3,131 #1 September 6, 2007 The latest in the line of ebikes shown below. This one is based on an Electra Townie 8 frame. The Townie frame is one of those slightly-recumbent upright frames that gives you a few benefits: 1) Lower seat; no problem balancing a heavier bike 2) Big frame allows battery mounting up front (better weight balance, better shock absorption) 3) Front fork allows mounting of a disk brake (important when you're going 40mph with an extra 50lbs of stuff.) Battery is a 160 cell lithium ion battery operating at 36/72 volts. Each battery (yellow thing) is made up of two bricks; each brick is an assembly of 40 batteries in a 10 (series) by 4 (parallel) arrangement. Maximum power out is about 2500 watts, but keeping it to 1000 watts extends range a lot and still gives you decent speeds (25-30mph.) Motor is a hub motor (X-5304) from Crystalyte, a chinese company. Controller is a 35 amp 72 volt box from some OEM. Motor/controller combination can also output about 2500 watts. Right now I have a haywired arrangement of circuit breakers that allow switching into either series 72V mode (highest speed) or parallel 36V mode (longest range, safest for batteries.) I've had it up to 40mph so far. I don't want to take it any faster until I have better protection (leather/pads) better mounting for the wiring harness, better retention of the circuit breakers etc. I estimate I'll be able to get about 50mph out of it, tops. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1969912 0 #2 September 6, 2007 What is the cuurent path in to the motor? Slip rings or something similar? "Once we got to the point where twenty/something's needed a place on the corner that changed the oil in their cars we were doomed . . ." -NickDG Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #3 September 6, 2007 I have a feeling this is very marketable. Good job Bill, keep up your work of saving the world. One bike at a time. "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lippy 918 #4 September 6, 2007 I don't know anything about this and therefore could be way off, but I don't think a slip ring would be necessary. The motor could be hard-wired and the wiring doesn't need to rotate....But I'm sure Bill can answer that a helluva lot better then meI got nuthin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1969912 0 #5 September 6, 2007 You're right, probably only the permament magnets rotate. "Once we got to the point where twenty/something's needed a place on the corner that changed the oil in their cars we were doomed . . ." -NickDG Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #6 September 6, 2007 Still no motor in the front hub?I feel the need...the need for speed! "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
quade 4 #7 September 6, 2007 I'm very curious as to why you've mounted the batteries where you have, especially since you've talking about a disc brake and being able to stop from 40mph. Certainly their "more forward" location only enhances your chances of going over the handle bars during a panic stop.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The111 1 #8 September 6, 2007 Nice job. What is total weight of bike before (regular bicycle) and after mods? What is range? Charging time? Can you get more wire nuts sticking out at random angles? That would definitely improve the appearance. www.WingsuitPhotos.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJL 235 #9 September 6, 2007 Has SweetChuck from Police Academy III pre-ordered yet? Sorry, Zed told me to ask. http://img67.exs.cx/img67/9782/zed2.jpg"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #10 September 6, 2007 Bill: have you considered mounting a low front rack on the fork for the baterries? It would lower your CG quite a bit, and keep the weight distribution. It almost looks like your knees would be close to hitting the cells on those pics... Maybe thats just an optical illusion.Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #11 September 6, 2007 Does it recharge on hills? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clownburner 0 #12 September 6, 2007 Madre de dios! Leave it to billvon to ride a bike that requires circuit breakers. 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,131 #13 September 6, 2007 > What is the cuurent path in to the motor? Slip rings or something similar? It's a brushless DC. Motor "rotor" contains the windings and is stationary. The "stator" turns and contains the magnets. Advantage is no slip rings/brushes; disadvantage is that it requires an external commutator (motor controller.) >Certainly their "more forward" location only enhances your chances of >going over the handle bars during a panic stop. . . . True. However, this bike has a much longer wheelbase than your average bike, and the motor in the back weighs 10 lbs, so it doesn't seem like a big risk. >have you considered mounting a low front rack on the fork for the >baterries? It would lower your CG quite a bit, and keep the weight >distribution. Considered it, but on a suspension fork that's a little problematic (and then I'd have an awful lot of weight to twist to turn the front wheel.) >It almost looks like your knees would be close to hitting the cells on >those pics... Maybe thats just an optical illusion. Illusion. There's plenty of room. >What is total weight of bike before (regular bicycle) and after mods? Before? I don't know. After? About 45lbs. >What is range? Charging time? Range - gone 20 miles so far and went through about 1/3 of the charge. Charging time - I don't know. I'm charging the batteries manually now with a lab supply and a timer; it takes about 3 hours total. Best charge time will be about 2 hours with those batteries under any conditions. > Does it recharge on hills? Well, it can - but that requires yet more electronics that I have not yet added. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broke 0 #14 September 6, 2007 need some testers?Divot your source for all things Hillbilly. Anvil Brother 84 SCR 14192 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFXpert 0 #15 September 6, 2007 Quote Bill: have you considered mounting a low front rack on the fork...? It would lower your CG quite a bit, and keep the weight distribution. It almost looks like your knees would be close to hitting the cells on those pics... Maybe thats just an optical illusion. I can't help it. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1969912 0 #17 September 7, 2007 Is this #1 "Once we got to the point where twenty/something's needed a place on the corner that changed the oil in their cars we were doomed . . ." -NickDG Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,175 #18 September 7, 2007 How much were the batteries?... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,131 #19 September 7, 2007 About $800-$900 all told. Standard 18650 cells (160 of them) at about $5 per. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squirrel 0 #20 September 7, 2007 thought you might like this website... http://electraflyer.com i fly a 2 seat trike that is powered by a rotax 582. I think my next trike will be one of these, no reason to have gas and noise when i fly solo. ________________________________ Where is Darwin when you need him? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheAnvil 0 #21 September 7, 2007 Cool! Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
.thumb.jpg.4bb795e2eaf21b8b300039a5e1ec7f92.jpg)