Garrett76zt
1 mW
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2018
- Messages
- 10
Hey folks, I'm new to the forum and would love to have some advice on my next project.
Quick background: I have several electric scooters but the only one I've modified is a Schwinn S500 (currie). I did a cheapo 36v controller/throttle combo swap and I run it on 36v12ah worth of SLA's. Low-tech I know but it has been cost effective. I get about 20-25mph out of it and 12ah has proven to be enough capacity for the commute I use it for. One of the biggest advantages of the Schwinn is that the handlebars/stalk/(what do I call it?) fold down so I can put it in my trunk. However with it's larger frame and 36v worth of SLA's it isn't the easiest thing to pick up!
Enter my newest acquisition, The CityBug. Originally sold by Sharper Image I guess. I picked this up from a friend and probably overpaid at $50. Common story I'm sure, sitting around a long time, dead battery, etc. But I was intrigued by a couple of things. It had an aluminum frame, belt driven rear wheel and both the bars and the seat fold down. It's also a bit shorter in overall length compared to my Schwinn. Here's what it looks like once you strip off all the cheapo Chinese plastic fairings.
So this is basically ready to ride sans battery supply and a deck which I plan to make out of plastic. As it sits in the pictures total weight is 21lbs which I think is quite good right?
My overall goals are as lightweight as possible, 12ah minimum capacity/range and 20mph minimum.
My initial concerns with this platform is the small wheel/tire combo. They are 8" compared to my schwinn at 12". So I'm expecting a rougher ride unless I change it up.
This scooter is belt driven which I find interesting. I've already riden it around a bit and its certainly quieter than my chain driven setups. But will this hold me back in the long run when trying to squeeze out more performance?
I'd really like guidance in choosing the correct and simple path to LiPo batteries. I have a little experience with them and understand the basic terms associated with them (series and parallel designations, C ratings, etc.) but have no experience purchasing multiple packs and figuring out how to charge them together for an application like this. This platform runs stock on 24v 12ah SLA's. So do I want to try and use the factory controller and go with a 6s pack or more? The battery box size I'm working with is roughly 6.5"x8.5"x2".
Also I'd love to swap the front fork for something beefier and hopefully with suspension. Any advice there? And I think I want a larger wheel/tire combo but will that require me to switch over to chain drive? Is that better anyways?
So many questions. Hopefully you guys can sort me out and guide me, one step at a time, down the right path. Maybe it's crap and I should ditch it all together, haha.
Thanks in advance!
Quick background: I have several electric scooters but the only one I've modified is a Schwinn S500 (currie). I did a cheapo 36v controller/throttle combo swap and I run it on 36v12ah worth of SLA's. Low-tech I know but it has been cost effective. I get about 20-25mph out of it and 12ah has proven to be enough capacity for the commute I use it for. One of the biggest advantages of the Schwinn is that the handlebars/stalk/(what do I call it?) fold down so I can put it in my trunk. However with it's larger frame and 36v worth of SLA's it isn't the easiest thing to pick up!
Enter my newest acquisition, The CityBug. Originally sold by Sharper Image I guess. I picked this up from a friend and probably overpaid at $50. Common story I'm sure, sitting around a long time, dead battery, etc. But I was intrigued by a couple of things. It had an aluminum frame, belt driven rear wheel and both the bars and the seat fold down. It's also a bit shorter in overall length compared to my Schwinn. Here's what it looks like once you strip off all the cheapo Chinese plastic fairings.
So this is basically ready to ride sans battery supply and a deck which I plan to make out of plastic. As it sits in the pictures total weight is 21lbs which I think is quite good right?
My overall goals are as lightweight as possible, 12ah minimum capacity/range and 20mph minimum.
My initial concerns with this platform is the small wheel/tire combo. They are 8" compared to my schwinn at 12". So I'm expecting a rougher ride unless I change it up.
This scooter is belt driven which I find interesting. I've already riden it around a bit and its certainly quieter than my chain driven setups. But will this hold me back in the long run when trying to squeeze out more performance?
I'd really like guidance in choosing the correct and simple path to LiPo batteries. I have a little experience with them and understand the basic terms associated with them (series and parallel designations, C ratings, etc.) but have no experience purchasing multiple packs and figuring out how to charge them together for an application like this. This platform runs stock on 24v 12ah SLA's. So do I want to try and use the factory controller and go with a 6s pack or more? The battery box size I'm working with is roughly 6.5"x8.5"x2".
Also I'd love to swap the front fork for something beefier and hopefully with suspension. Any advice there? And I think I want a larger wheel/tire combo but will that require me to switch over to chain drive? Is that better anyways?
So many questions. Hopefully you guys can sort me out and guide me, one step at a time, down the right path. Maybe it's crap and I should ditch it all together, haha.
Thanks in advance!