JohnT818
10 mW
Hello ES! I could use your advice. I've been thinking about installing a BBSHD on a Sun Seeker Fat Tad (fat tire tadpole trike) for a long while now, and I keep putting it off. I tend to overanalyze things, and there always seems to be more to learn. Help me pull the trigger by looking this over and telling me where I'm going right or wrong.
MY GOALS - I'd like to do close to 30mph top speed, and good hill climbing is important. This thing seems built for trail riding, so I definitely should do some, but I'll probably spend much more time on the road, where I'd like at least a 30 mile range, with moderate pedaling at 17-20mph. 40 miles would be better.
TRIKE - Here's the big, heavy trike that I bought - 20" fat tires, full suspension, front disk brakes.
http://sunseeker.bike/index.php/products/fat-tad/
BATTERY - I think this is where I need the most help. I want a safe technology. I figure I need maybe 15 to 20Ah at 48 or 52V to get the range I want, so I'm thinking 20 to 25Ah, just to be safe. Does this sound reasonable, or am I overestimating the inefficiency of this monster? Does it make sense to just wire two Shark packs (or similar) in parallel, or would it be better to have a single larger pack custom made? Can anyone recommend a 20 to 25Ah non-custom pack that's not strained at 30A? I'm also considering just wiring one Shark pack and carrying a spare when needed, but that seems less fun.
DISPLAY - I've read that Luna's color display is nice, but I'd really like to get familiar with the Cycle Analyst. Does it make sense to have both? Should I consider the CA, with a monochrome Bafang display instead?
CHAINRING - There seems to be a few options available, and many people seem to swap them out. With a weird rig like this, should I just try it stock first, and see how it pedals before deciding whether to go to a 42 or 30 tooth?
PROGRAMMING CABLE - I'd like to be able to program for on-road or off-road power levels. I assume I need to purchase a programming cable, but the software is readily available. Did I hear that an older Windows OS is required? Any other hardware I need?
MISCELLANEOUS - Is a gear sensor still recommended? I have a lock ring tool. Is the Luna Wrench that much better? Anything else I should be thinking about?
Thanks!
John T.
MY GOALS - I'd like to do close to 30mph top speed, and good hill climbing is important. This thing seems built for trail riding, so I definitely should do some, but I'll probably spend much more time on the road, where I'd like at least a 30 mile range, with moderate pedaling at 17-20mph. 40 miles would be better.
TRIKE - Here's the big, heavy trike that I bought - 20" fat tires, full suspension, front disk brakes.
http://sunseeker.bike/index.php/products/fat-tad/
BATTERY - I think this is where I need the most help. I want a safe technology. I figure I need maybe 15 to 20Ah at 48 or 52V to get the range I want, so I'm thinking 20 to 25Ah, just to be safe. Does this sound reasonable, or am I overestimating the inefficiency of this monster? Does it make sense to just wire two Shark packs (or similar) in parallel, or would it be better to have a single larger pack custom made? Can anyone recommend a 20 to 25Ah non-custom pack that's not strained at 30A? I'm also considering just wiring one Shark pack and carrying a spare when needed, but that seems less fun.
DISPLAY - I've read that Luna's color display is nice, but I'd really like to get familiar with the Cycle Analyst. Does it make sense to have both? Should I consider the CA, with a monochrome Bafang display instead?
CHAINRING - There seems to be a few options available, and many people seem to swap them out. With a weird rig like this, should I just try it stock first, and see how it pedals before deciding whether to go to a 42 or 30 tooth?
PROGRAMMING CABLE - I'd like to be able to program for on-road or off-road power levels. I assume I need to purchase a programming cable, but the software is readily available. Did I hear that an older Windows OS is required? Any other hardware I need?
MISCELLANEOUS - Is a gear sensor still recommended? I have a lock ring tool. Is the Luna Wrench that much better? Anything else I should be thinking about?
Thanks!
John T.