Beefing up a 200 Watt 24 Volt Folding Electric Bike

[schmidty_81]

This is my 3rd E-bike and it's a folding online for only $230 delivered (on special).

The only problem is I live in Australia where they're limited to a yawn worthy 200 Watts. I really have no interest in going this speed because I will be getting passed by old ladies.

I've noticed that what seems like this exact same model is sold overseas in up to a 500 Watt configuration, I'd be really interested in upgrading it to a 500 Watt if anyone's had any experience doing this any advice would be really appreciated.

http://www.oo.com.au/Folding_Electric_Bike_with_200_P26659.cfm?cm_mmc=newsletter-_-20100407-_-null-_-null

 

[dogman dan]

Looks like a brushed motor like scooters use in that bike. Find a scooter parts supplier and get a new 500 watt motor, and controller to go with it.

In fact, you might even be able to just put a 500 watt controller on the original motor for awhile. If the motor melts, you could replace it later. But if your use of the bike is heavy, like big hills or longer rides, getting the bigger motor right away would be better. You might encounter some problems mounting the new motor if it's too big for the space though, so make sure the area has the room for a bigger motor.

For a bit more money, you should be able to upgrade to a brushless motor and controller that's more efficient.

 

[def215]

ill have to agree with you on 200w is not enough. i have a 250 watt motor on my bike and it just didnt have enough oomph. i ended up rewinding it and i believe im pulling around the 350-400 watt range. and i dont think that enough either. i would go with dogman's suggestion and shoehorn a higher wattage motor in there. i think that might be the best bet.

p.s.- nice find on that folder! 230$ sounds like a deal

 

[schmidty_81]

Yep, I think Dogman's called it... I'm going to try and find a 500 Watt controller and see if the motor can handle it.

Has anyone seen a bike like this anywhere else in the world with 500 Watt's? I'd be really keen to if anyone could give me a hint at where to start looking for the controller???

 

[02jze]

Im in Australia too and i bought a 200 watt electric bike soon got bored with the power so i made it 48volt.. Was awesome upgrade so much more power.. Untill it blew the controller. SO i orderd a new one while i was there i bought a 450watt motor rated @ 36 volt put it all together took it for a test ride and it was SLOWER. But needless to say i was happy because it lasted more then a day. A week later i burnt the new motor out. I needed to get it going again so i put the old 24v 200 watt and its been going strong for over 3 months @48volt

 

[jateureka]

Wow, that's a cheap buy, what's the quality like?

You could try one of the motors and controllers from Oatley Electronics in NSW
http://secure.oatleyelectronics.com//index.php?cPath=53&osCsid=52d2e167763c0c47e8770cf28bef3ffe

 

[heathyoung]

Yep - oatley have some good motors there. Looks like the 300W version is whats being used - maybe the 500W would fit.

If you want more speed, change the gearing or go a higher voltage. If you want more torque, increase the power of the controller but keep the voltage the same.

 

[Lock]

I've noticed that what seems like this exact same model is sold overseas in up to a 500 Watt configuration

Close... the "monkey-hanger" handlebars are a bit unusual... most have the straight "mountain-bike style" bars... But frame and components will be common to many China-made bikes... this one you found on oo.com.au is also on ebay.com.au:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120504842997

I'll guess that somebuddy in Oz bought a container full of these from Kerry in Yongkang:

http://www.kerrybike.com/
aka
http://cnbicycles.com/index.html

See anything on their site that looks familiar eg:
http://www.kerrybike.com/product_216690_Folding_Bike.html


Maybe write the manufacturer...
Cheers
Lock

ps... hehe house brand "Yeast"... the ladies won't be buying a lot of these...

 

[schmidty_81]

Great pickup Lock... Ha ha ha about the Yeast brand, what were they thinking.

I think I'm going to try and get a few more Volts going through there first. I've got a fair few spare 12 Volt SLA's lying around. I think I'll try add and another 12 or 24 Volts and see what can take it.

 

[Airstream4Two]

Wow, $230. What a find!

 

[schmidty_81]

OK so I finally got some spare time to tinker with my bike this weekend and you'll never guess but my ultra cheap e-bike turned out to be ultra dodge... I take it out of the box and there's a huge bend in what looks like a pretty poor quality rear wheel... Pictures attached.

I've tried contacting the company but as expected there's no response... Anyone have any idea's?

I guess when I first bought this I thought for the price even if it turned out to be no good there was probably $230 worth of parts that I could use on another project anyway.

 

[dogman dan]

Musta been thown from the back of the truck. Bummer, but a good bike shop could put a new, and better rim on the hub. Not for real cheap though. If you want to tackle it yourself, a rim should be fairly affordable.

 

[schmidty_81]

Have to take back everything I've said about OO.com.au they seem like a real quality online store. I got this message last night...

Hi Tristan

I am sorry to read about your item, however, thank you for your pics.

Your replacement will be sent to you within the next 2 business days.

Have a good evening.
Please contact us should you require further assistance.

Regards
Andi
Customer Service
www.oo.com.au

Ticket Details
===================
Ticket ID: CIN-786887
Priority: Important
Status: Closed


That's awesome, they don't even want me to send back the defective one, which for my purposes is great because it means I'll have loads of spare parts when I modify it. So I suppose the logical first step is to wire in the other 24 volt battery pack making it 48 Volt and see if the controller and motor can handle it.

 

[schmidty_81]

OK so I noticed the upload of the wheel damage didn't work out, I've made it smaller and uploaded it.

I was showing a work colleague and he pointed out that all I'd actually have to do to repair it is find a new rim, undo all the spokes, then re attach the spokes again in the same order... My only problem is that I have no idea where to get a new rim in this size, does anyone have any ideas/suggestions?

 

[dogman dan]

Perhaps at a scooter parts online store.

Wow, that's quite a bit of shipping damage. Big hole in the box I guess? Looks speared with a forklift or something.