dontsendbubbamail
10 kW
- Joined
- May 28, 2008
- Messages
- 718
I have wanted to do an electric bike for a while, but with the daughter in college, I don’t have much spare money. To keep from having to modify my bike, I went with a pusher design by using a trailer. Bought some inexpensive parts from TNC Scooters and started construction. Just to give it a try, I bought some cheep small tractor batteries and strapped them in. It was a thrill taking that first ride and a learning experience. I have no instrumentation on the bike, so I don’t know watts, amps, or speed.
In the back of my mind is a desire to ride to work. That would be a 30 mile round trip. I am thinking that a bike with a 40 mile range would be about right. Seem like that desire might take about 80 lbs of SLA batteries. Advice is welcomed.
What I learned:
• A pusher design seems to be workable.
• A fully loaded one wheel trailer is not stable enough.
• Three or more wheels are needed on the trailer.
• I really would like to have a lipo battery.
• I have a lot to learn about electric bikes.
• The bike slows down on hills a lot more then I expected.
• Using the brake light output from the controller to activate a trailer break might be a good idea.
Bubba
http://s332.photobucket.com/albums/m357/dontsendbubbamail/?action=view¤t=IMG_4707.jpg
In the back of my mind is a desire to ride to work. That would be a 30 mile round trip. I am thinking that a bike with a 40 mile range would be about right. Seem like that desire might take about 80 lbs of SLA batteries. Advice is welcomed.
What I learned:
• A pusher design seems to be workable.
• A fully loaded one wheel trailer is not stable enough.
• Three or more wheels are needed on the trailer.
• I really would like to have a lipo battery.
• I have a lot to learn about electric bikes.
• The bike slows down on hills a lot more then I expected.
• Using the brake light output from the controller to activate a trailer break might be a good idea.
Bubba
http://s332.photobucket.com/albums/m357/dontsendbubbamail/?action=view¤t=IMG_4707.jpg