Big Dummy, Xlite 5304 front, 16S 20Ah Thundersky

[mace1934]

Big Dummy with Xlite 5304 front, 36-72 V 48 amp controller, 16S1P 20Ah Thundersky (eLite) Li-ion battery

Limited by age and asthma, but wanting to continue biking (including shopping), I've been experimenting with electrics for the past few years. This is a report on my Big Dummy. It can be a bit awkward to mount and dismount, but once on, it is a pleasure to ride. It certainly has plenty of pep to get up hills, and, unlike my old Rockhopper with Xlite 408 running at 66 V, it never overheats going uphill on hot days. As those familiar with this and other cargo bikes know, it can really carry a load.

The basic bike (i.e., without electric stuff) was expertly assembled by the folks at Aerohead Cycles in Bishop, CA. I ordered the motor, controller, and Cycle Analyst from ebikes.ca, and the battery from elitepowersolutions.com.

Some pertinent data so far, as gathered by the Cycle Analyst, the EagleTreeSystems V3 data logger, etc.:

Total distance: 779 miles/1253 km
Total Ah: 354
Number of trips: 59 (mostly 13 - 20 mile/21 - 32 km shopping trips to town)
Average speed on town trips: 15.1 mph/24.3 kmph
Average Wh/mi on town trips: 22.6
Average Wh/km on town trips: 14.0
Highest hub motor temperature measured: 125°F/52°C
Max speed on a town trip: 25.7 mph/41.4 kmph (coasting downhill; CA set to cut at 20 mph/32 kmph)
Battery capacity: 1 kWh
Battery weight: 30.3 lbs/13.7 kg
Bike weight ready to go, no load: 120 lbs/54.6 kg

More data are in this Google Docs spreadsheet [updated 20111014]:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AtP_9hkP9H1DdGhDN2w0YWpBVUo5REtXQkltRXQ1RHc&hl=en_US

Most of the time I charge the battery with an array of 6 60W photovoltaic panels, in either 3S2P or 4S1P arrangement. I've also used the eLite TSL48-6 charger.

Following are some pics, with additional info.View attachment 18

 

[beast775]

wow,that is quite the build,i really like it,and it works!thanks for the spreadsheet numbers.

 

[Demosthenes]

An amazing setup! So wonderfully versatile. And solar powered to boot. Your battery box is beautiful! I need to print out this post for all those people who say "Oh with all my groceries and everything I need a car" O rly? 8)

 

[kentlim26]

very beautiful country, very nice setup ebike.

kentlim

 

[mace1934]

Updated data file:

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AtP_9hkP9H1DdEVQUGVjajlYVXctWmJYLWRVMnNTMUE&hl=en&authkey=CMXE0IgI

Larry

 

[D-Man]

Nice build.

These traps are more fun for squirrels. Its more of a smash trap. A massive rat trap in a tube with a foot pedal. The fur will come out the slits.

 

[zap]

Very nice bike AND a fantastic post! You didn't leave much for us to have to imagine.