Hi,
I recently became interested in the electric, as I'm sure many have due to the frustration with oil, and have spent a couple weeks reading as much as I can online and have lurked here for most of that time. I've learned quite a bit so far, and there is obviously much more to learn about the hobby and the technology. I've been looking at different systems and options and I'm overloaded with information so I thought I'd post here and see if anyone can give some insight.
I have a two mile commute to work to the East and a two mile ride to the gym to the West, with a few smallish hills that will likely account for the majority of my riding. I also live about 100 yards from a couple decent mountain bike trails that are fairly tame. I have a Giant Yukon that I've owned for probably 7 years that I'll probably convert and I've also thought about buying a different bike for the build with full suspension.
Just when I was convinced to go with the Phoenix Racer 4840 or 7240, I stumbled across a thread here talking about the new HS3540, and the weight savings and what seems to be improved performance looks good. Can anyone shed some light on the HS3540 and it's performance other than what I've read on here so far? Are there any unknowns with the new model that could pose concerns that I should be considering vs a more established motor like the phoenix?
I had been trying to choose between 48V LiFePO4 which would require one battery setup vs using a single 36V for commuting and adding a second battery for 72V for playing. The 48V option seems to be the more affordable route with the single battery vs two, as well as the concerns of running 72V on my current bike and possibly breaking parts or needing to buy a new bike to do it safely. I'm a firm believer that anything worth doing, is worth overdoing, and that makes the 72V or higher attractive, I just don't know if settling on the 48V will supply enough to keep me happy and be a nice compromise in the middle.
I see a lot of people making their own battery packs with the li-ion batteries from HK and different sources and while that is also attractive, the LiFePO4 batteries seem a little more forgiving for someone new like myself. I've read a lot of good things about the ping batteries, and the 48V 15AH or 20AH v 2.5 models look about right. Would that be a good choice? I've looked at a few different suppliers and Ping seems to come in cheapest with shipping and price all taken into consideration but I may be missing something.
I've seen the Phoenix controller, 48v 40A as well as the 36v-72v 40A but I've also seen a lot of people talking about other controllers that are/were available from other members in the forum. Would it be worth looking into one of the Infineon type controllers I hear mentioned or should I just go with the Crystalyte model?
I'll list out what I'm considering below and if anyone has any tips about who to contact for parts, or changes that you would make, I'm definitely looking for input from the folks here with more knowledge in this whole thing.
HS3540- probably 48v but 36v-72v is an option. Hall effect sensors or no?
Crystalyte 48v 40A or 35A controller/ 36v-72v 40 amp for that option.
Ping 48v 15AH or 20AH LiFePO4 or dual 36v with same AH rating
Stand alone CA
Rear sprocket freewheel, not sure which so looking for input. Preferably with ability to install disk brake.
Cruise and brake inhibit
I'm in Michigan and if anyone has any tips on what suppliers I may want to look at to try and keep shipping costs down, that would be great. I'm also interested in any opinions or thoughts that may help me avoid making any of the common newbie mistakes.
I recently became interested in the electric, as I'm sure many have due to the frustration with oil, and have spent a couple weeks reading as much as I can online and have lurked here for most of that time. I've learned quite a bit so far, and there is obviously much more to learn about the hobby and the technology. I've been looking at different systems and options and I'm overloaded with information so I thought I'd post here and see if anyone can give some insight.
I have a two mile commute to work to the East and a two mile ride to the gym to the West, with a few smallish hills that will likely account for the majority of my riding. I also live about 100 yards from a couple decent mountain bike trails that are fairly tame. I have a Giant Yukon that I've owned for probably 7 years that I'll probably convert and I've also thought about buying a different bike for the build with full suspension.
Just when I was convinced to go with the Phoenix Racer 4840 or 7240, I stumbled across a thread here talking about the new HS3540, and the weight savings and what seems to be improved performance looks good. Can anyone shed some light on the HS3540 and it's performance other than what I've read on here so far? Are there any unknowns with the new model that could pose concerns that I should be considering vs a more established motor like the phoenix?
I had been trying to choose between 48V LiFePO4 which would require one battery setup vs using a single 36V for commuting and adding a second battery for 72V for playing. The 48V option seems to be the more affordable route with the single battery vs two, as well as the concerns of running 72V on my current bike and possibly breaking parts or needing to buy a new bike to do it safely. I'm a firm believer that anything worth doing, is worth overdoing, and that makes the 72V or higher attractive, I just don't know if settling on the 48V will supply enough to keep me happy and be a nice compromise in the middle.
I see a lot of people making their own battery packs with the li-ion batteries from HK and different sources and while that is also attractive, the LiFePO4 batteries seem a little more forgiving for someone new like myself. I've read a lot of good things about the ping batteries, and the 48V 15AH or 20AH v 2.5 models look about right. Would that be a good choice? I've looked at a few different suppliers and Ping seems to come in cheapest with shipping and price all taken into consideration but I may be missing something.
I've seen the Phoenix controller, 48v 40A as well as the 36v-72v 40A but I've also seen a lot of people talking about other controllers that are/were available from other members in the forum. Would it be worth looking into one of the Infineon type controllers I hear mentioned or should I just go with the Crystalyte model?
I'll list out what I'm considering below and if anyone has any tips about who to contact for parts, or changes that you would make, I'm definitely looking for input from the folks here with more knowledge in this whole thing.
HS3540- probably 48v but 36v-72v is an option. Hall effect sensors or no?
Crystalyte 48v 40A or 35A controller/ 36v-72v 40 amp for that option.
Ping 48v 15AH or 20AH LiFePO4 or dual 36v with same AH rating
Stand alone CA
Rear sprocket freewheel, not sure which so looking for input. Preferably with ability to install disk brake.
Cruise and brake inhibit
I'm in Michigan and if anyone has any tips on what suppliers I may want to look at to try and keep shipping costs down, that would be great. I'm also interested in any opinions or thoughts that may help me avoid making any of the common newbie mistakes.