![DSC_0951.JPG DSC_0951.JPG](https://endless-sphere.com/sphere/data/attachments/98/98784-da063ddf281fb4cf537a70f8d1711bbb.jpg)
I am using Luna Cycle as my parts source, the BBS02 kit included Luna's tweaked (upgraded) 3077 controller. The battery I chose is a 52v Samsung, 11.6 AH. I liked the weight and the physical size of it, it's electrical characteristics were secondary as I am really just starting to get up to speed on the entire subject of E-bikes and really don't know what I'm doing! But, it appears that battery is pretty highly regarded, as to where I am going to carry it, one thing for sure is it has to come off the bike when carried in the plane. So a back pack was my first thought, but I'm also toying with a velcroed bag hanging from the horizontal tube. Getting that to not swing side to side could maybe also be taken care of by more velcro, I'll figure something out, with the backpack as the fall back plan. I like the stealth of that.
This plane has a Swiss muffler on it I built. It's an additional muffler that the Swiss came up with years ago when new noise restrictions when in effect over there for light airplanes. Everywhere I go I am told that mine is the quietest plane they have ever heard! So when I first started reading about keeping a E-bike stealthy for various reasons, I had to laugh. Being stealthy is good, people can't or won't complain if they don't even know what you're up to. I consider it a simple way to avoid conflict, with no real detriment to me so why not?
I want to be able to recharge the bike battery in flight. The Rotax has a 20 amp charging system, and my inflight power draw is less then 5 amps. So, I should have the capability to run a small AC/DC inverter (I already have a 300 watt one, and testing shows that it easily supplies the charger that came with my Trail Viper) and then plug the Mont's charger into that. I bought a charger already, but I'm not happy with it, too heavy! I will probably buy the new charger Luna came out with a couple weeks after I bought the old school charger (damn it) and hopefully it is significantly lighter. Once I finalize the charger selection I'll finalize the inverter selection. I briefly considered other options, but I feel using the ac inverter and the "already figured out" 52 VDC charger will be the simplest and safest.
Which brings me to the ideal place to store the battery inflight, in otherwise unused space in this small plane. A place that would be quick and easy to get to, and not require a lot of extra hassle to secure, plus be safe in a hard deceleration (what we call a crash
![Shock :shock: :shock:](/sphere/data/assets/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
). I have such a place, on the plywood floorboards, slightly behind my seat, where the passengers in this tandem seat airplane put their feet. When I carry the bike, the rear seat and any passengers stay home, and a plywood cargo deck goes over the rear seat area, I can't fit the pass, seat and the bike at the same time. On this cargo deck, I usually carry a 6 gallon ferry tank, just a marine red plastic aux fuel tank, strapped down of course, and plumbed into the aircraft fuel system with a quick disconnect fitting. This tank is one of the ones I haul on the Travoy folding trailer to get more mo gas when on a trip. So..... my question and/or concern is, while this empty space is handy and seemingly ideal to stow the battery in while flying, it is also right along side some fuel lines, and immediately below the 6 gallon fuel tank.
It seems lately that every other day there is media coverage on battery fires (most recently with Hoverboards), using lith-ion cells. While many seemed to be from crappy recharging practices.over charging, some may be caused by physical damage. My selection of the top quality Samsung battery and it's charger will be largely biased by how safe it is in flight. Still, I may abandon the idea of recharging in flight, under a fuel tank, and may resort to carrying it out on a lift strut. It's small enough to be low drag (and I could make a little streamlined enclosure for it). It'd be safe there no matter what, unless any fire got hot enough to melt the aluminum lift strut anyway
![Rolling Eyes :roll: :roll:](/sphere/data/assets/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
Though the wind should preclude that. Weight is always a big factor, (and the main reason I didn't go with the new HD 1000 watt BAFANG, it weight 3.5 lbs more) so making a fireproof metal box of some kind is a last resort, the more I think about it, the simplest and lightest way to stow the battery is out side, away from a fuel source, the recharging wires could easily be taped more or less permanently to the underside of the lift strut. Carrying things on the lift struts is done fairly often when no other options exist, some routinely carry their (folding) lawn chairs out there, I've delivered solar panels to customers hundreds of miles away that way. Anyway, is this fire thing, overstated, or do my special circumstances make it prudent to get it the hell away from my fuel lines and fuel tank, I think I know the answer.