Lipo powered E300 does not start

[jotto]

I have a new Razor E300. I'd like to see better hill climbing, so I'm experimenting with various lipos. Apart from the batteries, everything is stock.

6S works fine (but with no additional power). With 8S or 9S, however, the motor does not start. I can just hear a click from the controller when I twist the throttle.

What can cause this? According to various forums, the stock controller should handle 36V without problem.

[wineboyrider]

Controller over voltage protection.... Looks like 7s is max for your controller.

[neptronix]

Hooray for consumer safety!

[wineboyrider]

Hooray for consumer safety!

Sarcasism will get you no where! LOL!

[jotto]

I have ordered a 36V controller and a new throttle. We'll see if that helps!

[Kin]

Ok, well do consider yourself lucky for consumer protection on some level. On a whim I threw 49.2v on my 24v similar type of scooter, because my 36v scooter worked fine with 12s Lipo and it was very unlikely I'd ever need my 24v brushed controller.... So the moment I turned the switch on, the scooter went crazy and I was surprised and fighting down a rearing horse in the living room of my shared apartment...There are strange scorched marks on the cheap carpet (plastic fibers) from before I was able to reach down and turn the switch.

The "what if.." thoughts are definitively not the ones you're supposed to follow through without thinking about.

[wineboyrider]

Ok, well do consider yourself lucky for consumer protection on some level. On a whim I threw 49.2v on my 24v similar type of scooter, because my 36v scooter worked fine with 12s Lipo and it was very unlikely I'd ever need my 24v brushed controller.... So the moment I turned the switch on, the scooter went crazy and I was surprised and fighting down a rearing horse in the living room of my shared apartment...There are strange scorched marks on the cheap carpet (plastic fibers) from before I was able to reach down and turn the switch.

The "what if.." thoughts are definitively not the ones you're supposed to follow through without thinking about.

Did you learn your lesson?

[Kin]

Yes.....:-p

[chvidgov.bc.ca]

Are these brushed motors on the E300?

[wineboyrider]

Are these brushed motors on the E300?

Yes all of the stock motors on Currie scooters are brushed AFAIK.

[jotto]

Ok, this was FUN! =)

I replaced with a 36V controller and throttle. It's way faster than before, and I can finally go uphill!

I haven't replaced the sprocket yet. I will test with the current sprocket a little more first. It sure is fun with the new top speed!

I need some new batteries, though. I tested with some 3*3S quadrocopter batteries. They were drained quickly and got HOT. I'm not sure whether I should go for 9S or 10S lipo. 10S makes battery management a little easier, as I only need to charge two batteries. Fewer cables that needs to be disconnected! I don't know whether the 36V controller and the stock E300 motor can handle it, though. Any thoughts?

[Kin]

10s lipo should be mangeble for a 36v controller. Chances are it doesn't blow until 54v or more likely 63v. I personally was running 12s on my 36v Schwinn "s1000 stealth bomber" similar style electric kick-scooter. I only charged to 4.08v

I believe that a 36v controller has to be capable of 40v, because a charged SLA can be 14v for a little while.

[jotto]

I charged the batteries now. I only charged 1466 mAh on the 2650 batteries. Seems like the low voltage protection kicks inn a little too early for 9S. I'll test with some 12S packs at 3.8V per cell and see if the controller accepts it.

[jotto]

Ok, tested with the half-charged 12S packs now. That worked! So think I'll go for a 10S configuration.

These might do the job well: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... ouse_.html . It may be difficult to fit them in the battery box, though. I was thinking of making a hinge and loading them from the side. I'd like to charge them outside of the scooter.

[jotto]

Hmmm, it even worked with fully charged 12S packs. That makes things easier (and cheaper), as I already have a bunch of 12S lipos for my helicopters.

The question is... will it kill the motor and/or controller in the long run?

[kevo]

jotto wrote:
The question is... will it kill the motor and/or controller in the long run?

All depends on slope, time and weight... Still glad to see your progress

[jotto]

jotto wrote:
The question is... will it kill the motor and/or controller in the long run?

All depends on slope, time and weight... Still glad to see your progress

Time will show! Weight is 78 kg/170 lbs. The hills are quite steep here, but not that long. I guess gearing down with a larger wheel sprocket will make life easier for the motor. It will also make it safer for my kids when they want to try it -- this thing is starting to go blazingly fast!

[jotto]

I tested the 80T wheel sprocket now. WOW - this is fun!

It accelerates so fast I need to be careful on the throttle.

[jotto]

I have attached a Wattsup meter. I'm pulling peaks of 30A@48V... almost 1500W :-O

This poor 250W motor is working harder than I expected.

[jotto]

Ok, I stress tested it a bit more this weekend. I rode for some 45 minutes or so together with my daughter (total weight of 107 kg). The motor started smoking :-O

Conclusion: 12S is fine for one person short trips, but it's pushing the limits.