Friction RC Commuter Build

[RayB]

Hey Adrian,

Sorry for the slow feedback in this thread. The bike has been performing great, for my needs and style of riding. I've been slow to post stuff in here as I'm off the bike for at least a month while I go back into hospital for some surgery. Nothing serious just getting older . I should be back up to snuff mid Feb to continue to put this thing through its paces. If you want any pics or testing that I can do indoors (for the time being) let me know.

 

[adrian_sm]

Ooooo. Sorry to hear about the operation. Hope it all goes/went well.

Have you taken the bike out in the rain yet?
Just wondering how that relatively smooth roller goes when the water gets in the way. I recently re-learnt how rubber+metal+water means low traction, when braking for some lights, and passing over a smooth metal storm water grate. Always humbling to crash with an audience.

Do you know how much power this thing is consuming?
If you have a CA-SA or Watt-Meter I would love to know what it says under load. You could probably do this test on the trainer, I did it with mine just with wheel off the ground, and brakes applied.

Anyway, all the best for a speedy recovery.

- Adrian

 

[RayB]

Well, things are slow but I've now hacked the fenders to fit along with the friction motor. Adrian, I've always been interested in grabbing a CA but that turnigy may just do the deal at a fraction of the cost. You reckon I can just run that inline with traxxas adaptors between the controller and battery? If so, I'll order one up and take some readings for you. I've not taken it in the rain as of yet. I will be surprised if it operates very well in those conditions. But we shall see.

 

[adrian_sm]

Looking good.

Yep. Just get a couple of extra traxxas adapters, solder them on to the watt meter leads, and then place it in between the battery and controller. Easy.

 

[RayB]

Hey Adrian,

Just a small update. I've taken this thing out on a few wet roads over the past 2 weeks and as I expected performance leaves a lot to be desired. Thankfully, I didn't purchase it with the expectation I would be using it in the rain (happy to pedal in that case) . But, the times I took it out the roads were wet but it had finished raining. It would get a little grip but would start to slip, with me pedaling. I've tried adjusting it a tad to give it a little more pressure against the wheel so next time it rains I will try it out again to see but from my own opinion, if someone is expecting to use this in the wet. I would go for a hub motor.

Overall I am still very pleased with the kit myself. It is still going strong at this point. Maybe I will try putting the bike on the balcony, dumping some water on the tire, applying the disc brakes and hitting the motor and recording it to see what you all think about the slippage.

 

[adrian_sm]

Hey. Thanks for the update.

You can get extra grip without extra contact pressure.

That smooth drive roller is really not doing you many favours in the wet. What some of us do is add some texture to the roller surface to increase the coefficient of friction. This can by done by knurling the surface if you are adventurous, or just glueing on some belt sander material. It can always be removed again if it is a problem.

BTW. The reason we use belt sander material rather than standard sand paper is the strength of the support cloth material, versus the paper used for standard sand paper.

Maybe I will try putting the bike on the balcony, dumping some water on the tire, applying the disc brakes and hitting the motor and recording it to see what you all think about the slippage.

You could just have the bottom of the tyre sitting jsut below the surface of a dish of water. This should throw up enough water to simulate what happens on the road. But don't both if it is for my benefit, I am pretty sure I can visualise what is happening.

- Adrian

 

[RayB]

Hi Adrian,

Well, I finally am getting back up to speed health wise and have managed to pickup a watt reader from a local RC shop and other bits and bobs from hobbycity. I just quickly recorded this video with the readings of the kit at 10/20/30km and full out, then under load via disc brakes.

I want to get some usage readings when actually riding the bike so should be able to get that done this weekend.

[youtube]fpbXjF4YeUk[/youtube]

 

[RayB]

Hi guys, I have decided to now sell this motor kit if anyone is interested it is in the 4 sale subforum. Any queries let me know.

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=35192