Another Electrically Challanged Novice

[mvadventure]

Could be Lowell is absolutely correct, could also be the core group here is technically savvy, understands FET (whatever that is) spoke gauges, voltage into a controller, drain brains and watts up, etc.

But, there are a few of us that know diddley squat and maybe even less and peruse these forums in the hope of gaining a little knowledge and simply to know there are other electric bike folks out there. In my case, only for an example, I bought a Phoenix Cruiser Kit complete with EVERYTHING including a rack, bags, cruise control, etc. I've learned to dump the rack and get rear side baskets, get a watts us (hasn't arrived yet) and to change my tires to slicks and am learning more every day.

Just as soon as I find, for sure, the right batteries I'll probably dump my four
SLA's and get something that will give me much better range. I really don't care too much about the dollars, I want the quality without being wasteful about it. Without a kit I'm not sure I would have gone the way I did and so far I'm very happy with the kit and the performance.
Mike

[CGameProgrammer]

I'm guessing you got it from electricrider? They're releasing a 48V 25Ah lithium battery pack supposedly in June. It's $1500, though I think there's a discount if you give them back the SLA charger, but the price appears to be competitive. Lithium is just that expensive. Also that price includes the charger.

I mention it because it looks nice and neat and will already have the correct connectors.

[Rassy]

JerryT, you sound about where I was last fall. I had motorized a $53 WalMart bike using an Old scooter, but ruined the motor on my steep hill. In searching for a replacement motor I found out about Hub Motors and ended up with a WE BD36. Still not enough power for my hill, so I built a trailer (like 29A suggested here) with two 26" BD36 Hub Motors. The difference was amazing, the non-pedal acceleration and hill climbing ability improved dramatically. The best part was I had room for groceries and packages in (or on) the trailer and the bike felt like a non-electric in terms of balance and general feel. I was suprised that I couldn't even tell the trailer was there except for the power when I hit the throttle. The top speed remained the same at about 25 MPH. It would still be my ride except I fell in love with a recumbent trike a few months ago, and the rest is history.

[jerryt]

Although I've seen them on-line, I never considered a trailer until now. Guess I'll check a little further. So Rassy, did you build your trailer? and do you have any pictures?

[Liberator]

I'm guessing you got it from electricrider? They're releasing a 48V 25Ah lithium battery pack supposedly in June. It's $1500, though I think there's a discount if you give them back the SLA charger, but the price appears to be competitive. Lithium is just that expensive. Also that price includes the charger.

I mention it because it looks nice and neat and will already have the correct connectors.

Ya know, I was seriously considering this pack but I didn't want to blow $1500 on what seems to be an untested pack (at least not tested by anyone here as far as I know).

[CGameProgrammer]

Ya know, I was seriously considering this pack but I didn't want to blow $1500 on what seems to be an untested pack (at least not tested by anyone here as far as I know).

Well I think they've tested it thoroughly and they know what they're doing; they refuse to sell the 72V controller for instance since their testing showed its unreliability. But I do plan on buying the lithium pack and reserved one a little while ago, so perhaps sometime in June it'll arrive. Right now I'm moving forward with plans to get 72V 12Ah lead-acids going, but I'll run the 48V 25Ah lithium when I need range over speed. I asked ER and they said there'd be no problem with running multiple Eons in series, which I may do much later on, but the BMS cannot support anything in parallel. 25Ah is good though.

[Rassy]

I have a post that you can find on Page 2 of this forum (E-Bike General Discussion) called "Recumbent Trike with three hub motors", last updated April 19. If you get serious about doing a trailer let me know. I made a few mistakes, and I will be thinking about what I would do different after reading so much on these great forums.

[jerryt]

Rassy thats a beautiful trailer and I would sure like to examine those pictures closeup if you wouldn't mind sending them to my email. I may just go this way but after seeing yours I'll be embarassed to show my craftsmanship. I appreciate the offer of advice if I do build one.
Did I understand you used this on your 2 wheeler before the bent? If so, did you experience any problems ? I did just a little research today and somewhere somebody wrote that a one wheel trailer can lean into the turns like a bike does but a two wheeler could lift a wheel in sharp turns.

Regards,
Jerry

edit: PM'd email address