EV Global 36v a Good Buy?

[TonyReynolds]

Been lurking for several weeks. I've been looking at adding a kit to one of two donor bikes I have available, a Diamondback Century flatbar road or a Raleigh C-40, both are 700c bikes. I've been in contact via email with Justin at ebikes.ca and with cell_man; both have been gracious and answered my questions. Looks like the options thru them would run from about $1200 on the low end with cell_man to a high of $1500 from Justin for either a Mac/LiFePO4 or an ezee system respectively.

I came across what appears to be a pristine EV Global LE 36V the other day. The guy wants $450 for it, which I don't really think it's worth, even given the condition, due to the age of the bike, lack of spares and so on. The thought was though, that converted to a 36v lithium system, it might make a killer commuter bike, though it would be heavier (I assume) than converting one of my other bikes. I plan on going to see it on Saturday.

Potentially worrying things:

1. Heavy and difficult to pedal if the battery craps out
2. Difficulty of converting to lithium, though I've read of others that have built custom packs to fit in the battery compartment
3. Overall system robustness with the other electronics: controller, lights, etc.
4. Noise of the Heinzman motor
5. Top speed (in peddle assist) would only be around 20-23mph

Any thoughts? My gut tells me that the EV was a nice idea 7 or 8 years ago and that I can do a better job fitting a kit to what I have. I can charge at work for the return trip home.

Are the EVs really that heavy and are they dogs under human power and am I nuts to replace the lead with lithium on an older, 500w brushed motor?

Thanks in advance. Tony

Needs are for a commuter bike that can propel my 250 lbs 30 miles to work at 20-25 mph. I can charge at work for th

 

[beast775]

well think of the 450 you would waste on the ev and put it down on a system from justin or cell-man.then you wont have to spend another 500 for upgrades to the lead sled,and you would be at purchase price 1,000 for a good system that will last along time,and will be easy to upgrade.

 

[dogman dan]

If your ride length was shorter I'd say go for it. My personal experience with the 24v EVG was that motors got very hot by about 10 miles. Saw that also with other brushed hub motors too. Too much power making heat at the brushes, about 20% less efficient than brushless, meaning that power made heat.

Not to mention 30 miles of listening to a dental drill. No thanks. You need a different motor. For that distance, I'd be going dd hub, 9c or similar from cellman. The dd will run the coolest the longest.

30 miles one way? That's hardcore! You are looking at about 3-3.5 hours a day on a bike. You'll need at least 48v 20 ah of battery. So you'll be closer to $1200 plus the bike if you don't have it already.

 

[Jason27]

EV Global electric bikes are hot garbage. Why do you think the company is no longer around ??

30 miles on SLA is not possible given you weigh 250 lbs.

If your looking to go cheap but reliable, dont buy an ebike, make your own!

 

[TonyReynolds]

If your ride length was shorter I'd say go for it. My personal experience with the 24v EVG was that motors got very hot by about 10 miles. Saw that also with other brushed hub motors too. Too much power making heat at the brushes, about 20% less efficient than brushless, meaning that power made heat.

Not to mention 30 miles of listening to a dental drill. No thanks. You need a different motor. For that distance, I'd be going dd hub, 9c or similar from cellman. The dd will run the coolest the longest.

30 miles one way? That's hardcore! You are looking at about 3-3.5 hours a day on a bike. You'll need at least 48v 20 ah of battery. So you'll be closer to $1200 plus the bike if you don't have it already.

Yes, I have two bikes to choose from. I agree, even if I could get the guy down to $350 or less, it's still really wasted money. I've asked cell_man to quote on a 48v, 20Ah triangular pack, but he hasn't gotten back to me. At this time he only has 14Ah pack, not enough huevos for what I need. I want at least a 500w hub, so I think at this point the ezee kit may be out, as it's only 350w. I also want as near silent operation as I can get, and the brushed motors are going to sound like a sewing machine on steroids.

 

[dogman dan]

Might look at Cellmans mac then. It's got enough power. It's fairly fast too in the speed model.

Best recipe for 30 mile range at 20 mph,

Pingbattery 48v 15 ah, or other 15 ah such as from cellman.

9 continent 2810 motor from Methods in the for sale section. It's my favorite setup for commuting, and I've tried a LOT of different types of motors. But again, 30 miles is a loooong commute. Two hours most likely one way unless there are no stop signs and lights along the way.

So that makes a faster motor attractive. Trouble is, then you gotta carry lotsa battery to even make it at 30 mph. Like 48v 20 or even 25 ah. Now you better be looking at cargo bikes.

I just don't see daily commuting on a bicycle 60 miles a day being that practical. My 30 miles a day is pretty close to doable limits day after day after day. Mabye you should just look at small motorcycles or scooters.

 

[DCMotorworks]

Hey Tony
I agree. if you are looking to commute 30 miles the EV global LE I have for sale probably isn't for you. I was commuting about 12 miles on it (each way I mean) a few days a week but that is about as far as I would really consider practical at around 18 mph.

I wouldn't necessarily write off all EV Globals tho. The chromoly frames are well built and well designed and highly upgradable. The built-in battery compartment is big enough to house 48v of lipo4 and the placement of the battery compartment; forward of the peddles on the down tube, makes for a well balanced ride. I was able to fit an 800w controller in the enclosed space where the original controller was housed also. I think it's nice having the controller and wires inside the plastic body panels, away from the elements.

my current commuter started life as a 24v evg. The controller was broken when I got it so I wired in a cheap 36v 20amp controller, put a 3rd 12v 12ah SLA on the rear rack and ran the 400w hienzmann at 36v. I found I could do 18+ miles at 21mph on a charge. And yes, it sounded like it was turbine powered.

So, ya, the EVG may have been a bit ahead of it's time and hampered by the outdated battery technology available during the era of its creation, but given its well thought out design and potential for upgrade I think calling it "hot garbage" may be a tad harsh.

DC

 

[TonyReynolds]

Might look at Cellmans mac then. It's got enough power. It's fairly fast too in the speed model.

Thanks, Dogman. I ended up ordering from Cell_Man:

Mac Speed Rear motor, 500W, 700c, with an 11.5Ah triangular battery pack to start. I'll add capacity as I can afford it. I know it's not enough yet for the distance I waanat to cover, but I can always add packs.

Tony

 

[TonyReynolds]

...the EVG may have been a bit ahead of it's time and hampered by the outdated battery technology available during the era of its creation, but given its well thought out design and potential for upgrade I think calling it "hot garbage" may be a tad harsh. DC

DC,

Thanks for the advice. Were you the one that had the EV for sale on CL? It was in MLT...

I ended up going with a kit from Cell_Man. Bummer that it will take so long to get here, but that's the way it goes. I figured that at this point I just needed something really soilid that works. I think that your ideas of using teh best features of the EV and upgrading the motor, battery and controller is spot-on, but at this time in my life I don't need anothe "project"...



Tony