Epack Wheel build

[Dcallahan13@]

Hi everybody, I’m new to this form. I have read a lot of different threads though and really enjoy learning from this site. I am wanting to build my own Epack Wheel. Here is a link to the website E-Pack Wheel.

I am pretty confident I can build everything except for I am struggling on finding what motor I should use as well as possibly the big large chain ring that is used. If you have an idea about what motor to use as well as maybe where I could find a large chain ring?? Any thoughts? Thanks for the help in advance

 

[gromike]

I myself would probably use a wheelbarrow hub motor, something like this: Geared Wheelbarrow Motor with Agricultural Tire

It would seem to eliminate some of the vulnerabilities of the external motor setup.

 

[Dcallahan13@]

Yeah, I thought about this, but the wheel is much too small. I was hoping to at least have a 26 inch wheel. Having a 16 inch wheel on something like this would not work out.

 

[PaPaSteve]

Browse this site for motors, sprockets, ratchets :

36 Volt Electric Scooter and Bicycle Motors - ElectricScooterParts.com

36 Volt Electric Scooter, Bicycle and Pocket Bike Motors

electricscooterparts.com

#25 Sprockets for Electric Scooters and Bicycles - ElectricScooterParts.com

Electric scooter and bicycle #25 chain sprockets. Sprockets for electric scooters. Sprockets for electric bikes.

electricscooterparts.com

36 Volt Electric Scooter Speed Controllers - ElectricScooterParts.com

36 Volt electric scooter and electric bike speed controllers.

electricscooterparts.com

Rear hub like > this link <

 

[Dcallahan13@]

Browse this site for motors, sprockets, ratchets :

36 Volt Electric Scooter and Bicycle Motors - ElectricScooterParts.com

36 Volt Electric Scooter, Bicycle and Pocket Bike Motors

electricscooterparts.com

#25 Sprockets for Electric Scooters and Bicycles - ElectricScooterParts.com

Electric scooter and bicycle #25 chain sprockets. Sprockets for electric scooters. Sprockets for electric bikes.

electricscooterparts.com

36 Volt Electric Scooter Speed Controllers - ElectricScooterParts.com

36 Volt electric scooter and electric bike speed controllers.

electricscooterparts.com

Rear hub like > this link <

Alright this might be a noob question. But how would I install a #25 Sprocket on a MTB wheel to make these work? Anyways still looking for some more ideas on motors and a large sprocket option

 

[PaPaSteve]

Examine the products closer you will find sprockets that bolt to ratchets that thread on to a hub with a disc brake bolt pattern on the opposite side of the drive.
Find the rim you like and spoke it to the hub.
Motors and controllers are in the same catalog.

I am pretty confident I can build everything

Links to all the needed parts is provided.
Start by understanding the desired wheel speed (RPM) then do the math backwards from there.

 

[Dcallahan13@]

Examine the products closer you will find sprockets that bolt to ratchets that thread on to a hub with a disc brake bolt pattern on the opposite side of the drive.
Find the rim you like and spoke it to the hub.
Motors and controllers are in the same catalog.

Links to all the needed parts is provided.
Start by understanding the desired wheel speed (RPM) then do the math backwards from there.

Yeah, I am confident I can weld up the frame and everything but need help with the motor and sprocket size. Could you point me in the direction on where I could learn the math? I would like to use a 26x4 fat tire for this and would like it to go about 3 miles per hour while I walk with it.

 

[PaPaSteve]

Try tinkering with this :

Gear Ratio Calculator

Calculate your gear ratio for your electric vehicle conversion project using ThunderStruck Motors' Gear Ratio Calculator

www.thunderstruck-ev.com

 

[Dcallahan13@]

Try tinkering with this :

Gear Ratio Calculator

Calculate your gear ratio for your electric vehicle conversion project using ThunderStruck Motors' Gear Ratio Calculator

www.thunderstruck-ev.com

Thank you so much. One last question. For this application would you use a #25 chain? Or a #410 bicycle chain?

 

[PaPaSteve]

both size chains will be strong enough for the task
#25 chain is 1/4" between teeth
Bicycle chain is 1/2" between teeth
so if a large ratio change is needed the #25 chain give more space to work with

36 Volt 350 Watt Brush DC Gear Motor 330 RPM
This one is low enough RPM the bicycle chain sprockets fit the space
Motor being brushed type is not the most efficient but could be a great budget saving option

https://electricscooterparts.com/hookup/MOT-36350G.pdf

 

[Chalo]

Don't mess around with chains when you don't need to. This was the lesson I learned from my first e-bike.

Your application is just right for a geared, clutched hub motor like most sub $1500 bikes seem to have. Do that.

 

[gromike]

Yeah, I agree.
Though, it is a walking speed thing.

 

[rafalg]

Single big wheel, 200 pounds of load placed quite high, very narrow platform and powerful motor. Looks like trouble... Are you planning to transport some load on it or maybe ride it yourself?

 

[PaPaSteve]

Rolling at the full spec speed of 3 miles per hour the wheel RPM would be 38.8
A motor shaft RPM of 330 = a gear ratio of 8.5 / 1
When loading a cycle for touring the heaviest bits are usually balanced evenly, low on the sides of the wheel with the lightest stuff placed on top of the rack.
Note the construction of the E-Pack Wheel is sheet aluminum providing more protection from the packs accidentally slipping into the wheel and gears.
Millions upon millions of motorcycles use chain drives with great success.
With proper alignment and maintenance there is nothing wrong with chains.

 

[Chalo]

Yeah, I agree.
Though, it is a walking speed thing.

Ah. When I looked at it I assumed it was a powered trailer for a bike.

But I guess it's a solution in search of a problem.

 

[PaPaSteve]

Trailkeepers of Oregon – We are Oregon's advocates for trails and hiking!

trailkeepersoforegon.org

Trail Maintenance

cascadevols.org

A creative tool that a trail keeper might benefit from.
Right now all their equipment is backpacked or hand carried into the wilderness.

 

[Dcallahan13@]

Trailkeepers of Oregon – We are Oregon's advocates for trails and hiking!

trailkeepersoforegon.org

Trail Maintenance

cascadevols.org

A creative tool that a trail keeper might benefit from.
Right now all their equipment is backpacked or hand carried into the

Rolling at the full spec speed of 3 miles per hour the wheel RPM would be 38.8
A motor shaft RPM of 330 = a gear ratio of 8.5 / 1
When loading a cycle for touring the heaviest bits are usually balanced evenly, low on the sides of the wheel with the lightest stuff placed on top of the rack.
Note the construction of the E-Pack Wheel is sheet aluminum providing more protection from the packs accidentally slipping into the wheel and gears.
Millions upon millions of motorcycles use chain drives with great success.
With proper alignment and maintenance there is nothing wrong with chains.

yeah for this application I think a chain is best. Would you suggest maybe a 48v motor or a 36v motor? I believe the Epack has a 48v motor? What are your thoughts on this?

 

[Dcallahan13@]

Never mind! The Epack wheel actually has a 36v motor.

 

[IamIan]

FYI
Although mine wasn't a DIY device..
I have used my Electric Unicycle (EUC) in the same way .. to carry ~250Lbs of weight for me , while I easily walk / run / etc beside it .. like ~1lbs of effort for me to move ~250 Lbs of gear .. up or down a hill , at any speed I like .. I thought of it kind of like a compact electric mule.

It would add some complexity for a DIY type project .. but the automatic leveling function that is part of an EUC .. in one direction (axis of rotation) .. I found to be a very useful feature .. it electronically automatically ramps up and down to give more or less forward or reverse torque , power and speed, automatically .. the power electronics respond so fast , and in such small increments it makes it way easier and way more responsive , controllable , and better intuitive feedback (in that one axis of rotation) than any manual brake could ever hope to be.

Depending on how much DIY you are looking for .. maybe you could build a custom cargo carrying frame / platform / saddle bags onto a low cost lower end EUC .. then let the prebuilt EUC do all that other parts of the project .. automatic electronic motor control , battery , BMS , etc.

Just one random example of such from quick google search
$300

InMotion V5 Electric Balance Electric One Wheel Black Unicycle & Power Adapter | eBay

Introducing the InMotion V5 Electric Balance Electric One Wheel in black, a revolutionary unicycle that will change the way you commute and have fun outdoors. This electric scooter is perfect for those who want to enjoy a thrilling ride without worrying about traffic or pollution.

www.ebay.com