AF7JA
100 W
Having finished my commuter e-bike, pictured below, with a 36V geared hub motor; I am preparing for another project.
The next plan starts with my trike:
I am planing to go mid drive. Stage 1 is to get the trike working. I hope to do that this year.
I mention stage 1 because there is a stage 2. Stage 2 is to build a solar trailer for extreme distance touring (hey, why be a teacher if not to do epic stuff during my summers). Stage 2 is relevant to stage 1 in that it seems to be limiting my voltage choices. I am looking at solar controllers, like this one:
http://genasun.com/all-products/solar-charge-controllers/for-lithium/gvb-8a-li-lithium-solar-boost-controller/
I am seeing that most of them are 48V. This limits my trike to a 48V pack. I am looking at mid drive because I feel I am going to get the best performance out of them with a continual 100W-200W output (eventually I will be limited by my solar panels).
Even with the expectation of 100W-200W continual output on tour, I expect that in-town I will be sometimes running at up to the legal limit; but most operation will be about 500W. Reliability is job 1; I do not want an 'unrepairable on the side of the road' problem on Hwy 50 through Nevada in the summer.
I am now at the point where I am ready to order a motor. My priorities are:
1. Reliability at low power levels
2. 48 V (for panels)
3. Relative ease of repairs
I have looked at these:
GNG 2016
http://www.gngebike.com/gng-belt-kit-2016
+ cost
+ two chain-rings
+ seems to use good, and serviceable, parts
+ I like the way it looks
- reputation, I keep reading "stay away, far away"
- older model had poor reliability
- no support
Cyclone 3000W
http://lunacycle.com/mid-drive-kits/
+ overbuilt motor
+ cost
- needs a lot of tinkering to get working
- weight
- the thread on this one leaves me wondering about its reliability
- internal gears, making it hard to service
Bafang
http://lunacycle.com/motors/mid-drive-kits/bafang-mid-drive-and-parts/bafang-bbs02-750w-mid-drive-with-upgraded-3077-controller/
+ fewer external parts
+ replaceable chain-rings
- all parts internal making it hard to service
- internal controller (more fears of being stranded, a long trip would necessitate a spare contriller)
Lightning Rods Small Block
http://www.lightningrodev.com/kits/index.html
+ reliability
+ high level of support
- cost
My brain says Lightning Rods, this is due to both that I like the way it looks, and the level of support. Frankly, it will cost about twice as much as the other packages; but in a year I may have forgotten the cost and be enjoying the reliability.
The next is the Ba Fang, I am just concerned with how hard to service it looks. would really like to like the new GNG. It looks great on paper. I am just worried about the stories regarding the earlier models. If I could get past the fears regarding the earlier models, it would jump to first place.
As I said, i wan to order this monty or next, any suggestions?
The next plan starts with my trike:
I am planing to go mid drive. Stage 1 is to get the trike working. I hope to do that this year.
I mention stage 1 because there is a stage 2. Stage 2 is to build a solar trailer for extreme distance touring (hey, why be a teacher if not to do epic stuff during my summers). Stage 2 is relevant to stage 1 in that it seems to be limiting my voltage choices. I am looking at solar controllers, like this one:
http://genasun.com/all-products/solar-charge-controllers/for-lithium/gvb-8a-li-lithium-solar-boost-controller/
I am seeing that most of them are 48V. This limits my trike to a 48V pack. I am looking at mid drive because I feel I am going to get the best performance out of them with a continual 100W-200W output (eventually I will be limited by my solar panels).
Even with the expectation of 100W-200W continual output on tour, I expect that in-town I will be sometimes running at up to the legal limit; but most operation will be about 500W. Reliability is job 1; I do not want an 'unrepairable on the side of the road' problem on Hwy 50 through Nevada in the summer.
I am now at the point where I am ready to order a motor. My priorities are:
1. Reliability at low power levels
2. 48 V (for panels)
3. Relative ease of repairs
I have looked at these:
GNG 2016
http://www.gngebike.com/gng-belt-kit-2016
+ cost
+ two chain-rings
+ seems to use good, and serviceable, parts
+ I like the way it looks
- reputation, I keep reading "stay away, far away"
- older model had poor reliability
- no support
Cyclone 3000W
http://lunacycle.com/mid-drive-kits/
+ overbuilt motor
+ cost
- needs a lot of tinkering to get working
- weight
- the thread on this one leaves me wondering about its reliability
- internal gears, making it hard to service
Bafang
http://lunacycle.com/motors/mid-drive-kits/bafang-mid-drive-and-parts/bafang-bbs02-750w-mid-drive-with-upgraded-3077-controller/
+ fewer external parts
+ replaceable chain-rings
- all parts internal making it hard to service
- internal controller (more fears of being stranded, a long trip would necessitate a spare contriller)
Lightning Rods Small Block
http://www.lightningrodev.com/kits/index.html
+ reliability
+ high level of support
- cost
My brain says Lightning Rods, this is due to both that I like the way it looks, and the level of support. Frankly, it will cost about twice as much as the other packages; but in a year I may have forgotten the cost and be enjoying the reliability.
The next is the Ba Fang, I am just concerned with how hard to service it looks. would really like to like the new GNG. It looks great on paper. I am just worried about the stories regarding the earlier models. If I could get past the fears regarding the earlier models, it would jump to first place.
As I said, i wan to order this monty or next, any suggestions?