Finished E-Trike (with pics)

[MikeFairbanks]

This is the tricycle from the "Student-Made Electrical Industrial Tricycle" thread. That thread has come to an end (moved to a daily blog at eblogger) but I never really considered those who aren't interested in reading about the project and how it came about, etc. It was a very long-winded article.

So, this will just be technical and not long-worded. Just the facts, maam (as Detective Friday would say) and photos.

* Worksman Industrial Tricycle (Mover). Very strong (500-pound capacity). http://www.worksman.com ($973)
* http://www.Ebikekit.com motor kit (9 continent motor, 36-volt SLA battery pack, thumb throttle, torque arm, all cables and connectors-one package-all included, $580).
* Electrical and plumbing tape ($4.00)
* Pine for the steel platform (makes attaching items easier so I don't have to drill more holes in the steel platform). ($4.00)
* White basket from Home Depot ($10.00)
* Rubbermaid plastic trash can (for battery and electronic covering--vented) $6.
* One can of black spray pain (Rustoleum fusion--binds to plastics really well). $4.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. It runs at about 20mph and in my hilly environment gets about 8-10 miles range with light pedaling. It could go further in a flat environment.

This Rubbermaid trash can is flexible, strong and is held in place by velcro. It really holds well, and if it rains will keep the controller, battery and connectors dry. In hot weather it will be removed and some other arrangement made. For now it works great and stays in place.

The basket is large enough for my kids (one-at-a-time) to sit in it with their legs crossed. But it's not intended for passengers, of course.

Wooden platform attached to the steel platform (through existing holes using wood screws, bolts, etc.). I wanted wood so I could leave the original steel platform alone and keep it scratch-free and hole-free (with the exception of the holes it already had in each corner).

Lights for night travel:

I also used velcro on my helmet for removable headlight and tail light:

 

[ev_nred]

sorry to by asking a stupid question but is the torque good enoguth for very steep hill how much amps does it suck at full thortel
cheers,
jacob R

 

[BLUESTREAK]

Nice job MIKE.

 

[USAEBIKECO]

Once your students can see that electric technology is feasible, the next project should be to sell it. Show your students how to post a local ad, or sell it on ebay.

Have you thought of re-selling it, or will you keep it?

 

[MikeFairbanks]

Once your students can see that electric technology is feasible, the next project should be to sell it. Show your students how to post a local ad, or sell it on ebay.

Have you thought of re-selling it, or will you keep it?

The tricycle will remain the property of the school. They can decide (after I leave....that could be decades....no telling) what to do with it. They might want me to take the motor off. It will make a great utility vehicle in the school. It fits through all the doors and can haul very heavy loads (especially if we install some of the optional carriers in the future).

I'll probably lobby to let me keep the motor kit someday, but that's up to them.

 

[spinningmagnets]

I'm sure the maintenance department could really get some use out of this. It can haul equipment, parts and tools to a job in a school hallway without noise or fumes, like the golf carts Ive seen them use. Doing that would also keep the bike available for demonstrations and showings, plus keeping it working in the students view on a regular basis.

I like the battery enclosure being a rain-proof upside-down bin (I will likely use that idea). I had envisioned a spread of batteries under the cargo tray, but putting them there is better for the weight distribution, and also the cargo tray can be lower. Very well-done sir!

Theres nothing wrong with SLA as a starter pack. It keeps the purchase price low for the bike plus kit. By the time the SLA wears out, you can afford to upgrade the chemistry and size of the battery pack. I've read that ebikes.ca sells a LOT of LiMN packs (made from new cordless drill cells that are robust, safe, and user-friendly).

It could also use a sprung seat like the Thudbuster (though they are pricey)...

 

[John in CR]

Hi Mike,

The bike turned out great.

Can you do some close up pics and/or description of what's under the rear deck. I'm interested in building one DIY except rear drive instead of front. Though I may just buy a Workman if I can't just build it myself, I want to know exactly what I'd be getting into to convert it to electric. I'm most interested in how the axle/hubs/brakes etc are different from the adult trikes that can be purchased much cheaper.

John

 

[StudEbiker]

It looks good, but can you explain why you put the throttle on the left. With no gears and nice long brake levers, I'm not sure why you chose to put it that way.

 

[MikeFairbanks]

John in CR, I'll take more photos.

Studibiker: It actually does have gears (the shifter is on the right side of the handlebars, along with the front brake lever). There just wasn't any room so I put it on the left. There really isn't much negative consequence to having it on the left. I'm quite used to it.

 

[StudEbiker]

I thought there might have been gears, but I couldn't tell for sure from the pics. Makes sense now. Those e-bikekit throttles are my faves of the three types I've used so far.

 

[MikeFairbanks]

Yeah, I totally like the thumb throttle. Works great and keeps my hands stable on the handlebars (which is important on a trike as you really can't ride hands-free or the wheel will jerk and you'll change directions quickly. A tricycle is more relaxing for your body, but more taxing on the mind, because you have to pay more attention to bumps and steering. Plus, going around corners demands attention. You can wipe out easily. On the other hand, the chances of a wipeout causing a lot of injury is smaller. If you fall off a bike you can slam hard. On a trike you don't slam. You run into something.

My style is to start pedaling and apply very light throttle until I have a good amount of speed built up and then apply more throttle.

I can't wait to ride to and from work tomorrow.

By the way: Here's a picture of the right side of the handlebars. The gears are thumb activated, and you can see the handbrake, so you can see how there's no room on the right side for a throttle.

 

[MikeFairbanks]

NOTE: Looking back at the posted photographs, you might want to scratch the upside-down trash can. It didn't turn out to be such a great idea. It's causing too much insulation and not enough air flow around the controller. The controller today (after riding to work five miles) was warmer than usual. It wasn't hot and wasn't in danger, but the upside-down trash can is going bye-bye. Wasn't such a great idea afterall.

But the ride to work was enjoyable.