Secondhand DIY ride. Advice needed.

[Triangle_Pants]

Copypasted from my post in our local Facebook group.

Hey guys. First ride since getting here just over a month ago. Guy who sold it to me put it together after finding just the frame up a tree that grew around it!

Says it's a 60v 30ah 3kw system. Appears to have a Votol EM50 controller. Gonna need a LOT of advice.

I already sent a web contact request to the manufacturer, but what would you recommend for a display, voltmeter, and NON-twist throttle?
Twist throttles tend to hurt my hand. I'm used to and fond of trigger throttles.
How about the wiring job in there? "just replace the entire wiring harness"? "just replace the everything"?
Even the motor wires are hotwired in, probably to avoid the hassle of dealing with hall connectors and controllers, which even I disagree with.

What should I do about the deck? Being wood is cool and all, but not very practical. Also, how much more battery do you think would fit in there? I like the idea of strapping in a metal case battery, like a golf cart.

Anything else I should know? Excited AND scared here. Yes, I will be getting mirrors, a helmet, etc.

 

[Nix Liou]

Wow that wiring looks like a nice fire starter... Not even any heat shrink.
I'd say try and unwrap the electrical tape and map out all the connections somehow, and then just make a new wiring harness for a clean start. Get those Waygos out of there lol.
Definitely could fit more battery in there, and I would be careful with that mystery blue brick.

60v 30ah implies 16s6p configuration of 5ah 21700 cells. Looks like you could probably fit 16s7p, maybe 8p? Hard to tell the actual dimensions and depth. A metal case battery is going to be heavy. Most golf carts use LFP, and that's a bit lower energy density, and heavier per Wh. If I were in your shoes, I would go for NMC if I wanted capacity and power.

Sorry I don't have good advice for the throttle and display parts, I've never used a Votol controller.

 

[Triangle_Pants]

Wow that wiring looks like a nice fire starter... Not even any heat shrink.
I'd say try and unwrap the electrical tape and map out all the connections somehow, and then just make a new wiring harness for a clean start. Get those Waygos out of there lol.
Definitely could fit more battery in there, and I would be careful with that mystery blue brick.

60v 30ah implies 16s6p configuration of 5ah 21700 cells. Looks like you could probably fit 16s7p, maybe 8p? Hard to tell the actual dimensions and depth. A metal case battery is going to be heavy. Most golf carts use LFP, and that's a bit lower energy density, and heavier per Wh. If I were in your shoes, I would go for NMC if I wanted capacity and power.

Sorry I don't have good advice for the throttle and display parts, I've never used a Votol controller.

I ended up deciding to also get a replacement wiring harness from SiAECOSYS due the the rat's nest look of the whole thing.
Even the throttle was hotwired in, so once the wiring harness comes in, I'm gonna figure out a nicer-feeling throttle with a connector that's compatible with the new harness. I still want a trigger throttle, but those tend to come with displays, and I hate the idea of a dual-display setup. New harness should get here next week.

Due to the motor being wired in to not require a hall sensor pin block, I'll have to pin it myself. I'll probably also have to figure out replacements for those Waygos connections, as you called them, for the battery leads.

If I get frustrated/impatient/whatever enough, I might end up washing my hands of the whole thing too.

 

[docw009]

Bare 3 wire thumb throttles used to be 10 bucks, Easily found, I would suggest getting comfortable with soldering and heat shrink if you want to work on ebikes, Otherwise, you;re stuck with the connectors they supply,

Believe I saw that scooter for sale in a local home improvement store about 9 years ago,

 

[Triangle_Pants]

Bare 3 wire thumb throttles used to be 10 bucks, Easily found, I would suggest getting comfortable with soldering and heat shrink if you want to work on ebikes, Otherwise, you;re stuck with the connectors they supply,

Believe I saw that scooter for sale in a local home improvement store about 9 years ago,

I do plan to at least start with cold solder with a lighter.

Really? No way! Shouldn't surprise me, I guess. Some DIY rides just get around.