GT i-drive 2.0 Build

[sn0wchyld]

since i knew i'd be using the bottom of the battery pack, i hooked up my buzzer. a mile from home, one cell went off, (hit 3.2V under load). the CA read 7.5Ah (out of 10Ah, right? but you figure i only charge to 4.125V per cell... where's that table showing lip capacity per voltage? anyway, charging to only 4.12 may give me only 75% capacity..) nice to have to front gears to drop to and pedal... one cell was .5V lower than the others. i hooked it up to the balance charger, and after 8 hours that one cell was even with the others..

8 hours what do you use to balance?

 

[Hyena]

I was talking to "Ykick" the other day and he had an ingenious way of quickly fixing sagging cells. His method was to bring the lowest cell in the pack UP to highest avg cell voltage instead of waiting for the entire pack to discharge to the lowest voltage

I've been doing that for years, so it must be ingenious
Pulling up one runt cell is certainly a slow exercise if left totally up to the charger. Using a single cell 4.2v charger from a cell phone or many other electronic devices (PSP, digital camera etc) will do the job, or even a more commonly available 5v charger as long as you keep a close eye on it and don't allow it to over charge. Infact I think I linked Greg to such a charger for this purpose right back towards the start of this thread (it was a year ago though so my memory is fuzzy)

Often once one cell gets so far badly out of balance it often means its on its way out and even religious balancing won't save it. I'm guessing you don't normally see this Greg given you don't often drain your pack down too low. 7.5ah does sound a little low for a 4.125v/cell charge though. I normally charge to 4.15-4.18 and see mid 9s so I'd expect atleast 8.5. Most of my cells are still reading nominal 3.7v at 7.5ah

Lucky near miss with the bmw driver. For others watching at home the wide angle of the gopro makes it look further away than what the car actually is. I had a similar near miss a while back where an impatient and stupid driver overtook me at nearly double the speed limit, only to dive in front of me and slam on the brakes to make a sharp turn into a side street. Classic case of "can't be stuck behind a bike no matter what speed they're doing, even if I'm about to stop"

Nice vid from our swiss mate. I'm not sure I can better him for scenery but I'll have a crack otherwise at topping his vid when I get properly back on my feet

 

[GCinDC]

"Ykick"..ingenious way of quickly fixing sagging cells. His method was to bring the lowest cell in the pack UP to highest avg cell voltage

Yeah, great idea. The only key there is creating connectors to mate JST-XHs and bullets/andersons/power leads... Ypedal did this when he first got lipo and showed a picture of his JST-XH to PP adapter... I don't have one, and would have to make a similar adapter for my DB25, since that's the only way to tap the balance leads on my pack.

By far the easiest thing to do is plug in my iCharger to balance charge at 5s8p. All the good cells get charged quick, but then it sits there balancing with 4 cells at 4.15/4.16 and the last little fattie tagging along at 4.12... And that can take hours, not that I care, cause I'm in bed sleeping, or watching pirated hbo shows on my laptop... :lol:

But you're absolutely right, it'd be far more efficient to charge the low one up, then balance charge. But in my case, that is nowhere near the EASIEST thing to do... :wink:

In other news, I bought this off CL last night for $500.

I'm gonna cut it in half to add suspension... just kidding. I bought it for my niece who saw my TV spot and wants one to commute. It's basically brand new, so $330 off retail/shipping. Sold by these guys.

I'd had her ride my wife's bionx, but that kit would be too much for her ($2000 including bike?) and her own bike is 30yr old dog doo. So she gets a ebike for $500. What's wrong with that?? If it were $1000, like it used to be(?), then forget it, but where else can you get a better value. Doesn't weigh THAT much, brakes, light... the seat flips forward so the battery can be unlocked/removed... I've always wanted to vomit when I saw these cheapo ebikes, but while it's hard to love, one has to appreciate all the features designed from the ground up for exactly what it is/does...

This rider actually got intentionally hit by a driver in DC....

So he's cycling in the middle of the road and moron harasses him and cuts him off.. That's bad. No excuse. Some drivers are sick. HOWEVER, I must confess that I CAN'T STAND cyclists who take a whole f***ing lane in fast moving traffic. it's rude. and some just sit there in the middle, oblivious to motorists behind. WTF? why don't they get out of the way, move over? i'm convinced it's these asinine self-righteous pricks who've ruined it for most cyclists. from age 15, i used to ride on top of the painted line, or ride to the right of it, making it a challenge how close to the edge I could stay... parked cars complicate the matter, with the possibility of getting doored... over on hains pt, good luck trying to pass a cyclist ever. they will ride side by side w/ cars behind and not a care in the world... be courteous, share the road. when i was on student exchange in kenya, they've got a different rule about driving: MIGHT IS RIGHT! huge busses plow down the middle and everyone else gets out of the way! if you're little, you move out of the way. if you're slow, get ready to get passed...

 

[Hyena]

The only key there is creating connectors to mate JST-XHs and bullets/andersons/power leads...

Nope, all you need is a 2 pin on your 4.2v source that can be pluged into the appropriate spot on your JST plug, then charge it directly through the balance tap. I use 2 pins from a male JST extension that I accident zapped a few other pins on - just heat the plug up and push them out)

would have to make a similar adapter for my DB25, since that's the only way to tap the balance leads on my pack.

Oh, yeah that makes things a bit harder. Aren't you using BM6s though ? Just inplug one of those and plug in your 2 pin plug there to the appropriate cell. Just make sure you get the polarity right.

HOWEVER, I must confess that I CAN'T STAND cyclists who take a whole f***ing lane in fast moving traffic. it's rude. and some just sit there in the middle, oblivious to motorists behind.

Yep I hate that too. While there's the obvious risk that by riding fast you're less likely to see it's also far more courteous to other drivers to NOT be holding them up and the few times I do move out of the slow lane is to blast past cars that are crawling along. I on most roads I try to keep as close to the gutter as possible but on narrow laned main-ish roads it's safer to right right in the middle of the lane so drivers aren't tempted to squeeze past you (though some assholes no doubt always will
Bummer that guy in the clip didn't catch the guys plate in his video.

 

[GCinDC]

Oh, yeah that makes things a bit harder. Aren't you using BM6s though ?

Yeah, but the BM6 pins are SOLDERED to the DB25 wires! I got sick of them beeping cause of lousy JST-XH connectors... I redid two harnesses until I realized it was the JST-XH's...

finally found the original post about soldering the JST-XH's.... and a pic that survived!:

note that there are no jst-xh's on the BM6 pins..

To get to the individual pack's jst-xh's, I'd have to pull the whole pack apart. Not that big of a deal, but not the easiest thing..

I could also alligator clip the DB25 pins, but zap, zap if I'm not careful. Or I could dig out that old DB25 harness w/ JST-XH's... and I could totally use the iCharger, but I'd have to change all the settings...

 

[GCinDC]

nice ten minute break on the way home...
[youtube]Z9-PUCLgbrE[/youtube]

 

[chroot]

I approved this EMXB ebike! You can check at viewtopic.php?f=6&t=24253

He mentioned that he sell 750$ for the carbon fiber frame with custom rear swing arms. Sound perfect for you if you want jump lot.

More EMXB slideshow

 

[full-throttle]

hey guys, have you seen this?
[youtube]zCMQPzKcFqs[/youtube]
count the number of tear-offs (as in goggle lens tear-offs)

 

[GCinDC]

I approved this EMXB ebike!...750$ for the carbon fiber frame with custom rear swing arms. Sound perfect for you if you want jump lot.

Was just showing my work buddy the clips of this jump today! I've been watching it too. I'm getting scared of buying just frames since all the extra parts can cost a fortune - and i have enough trouble finding replacement parts...

..Danny Hart..count the number of tear-offs (as in goggle lens tear-offs)

Yeah, I honestly didn't appreciate it as much when I first saw it, maybe causing the announcer was hysterical... track looks pretty nasty. but it's hard to get a sense of the slope of the hills from the filming..

tear offs, as in wiping his goggle? wow, that changes things.. i didn't know what he was doing.

 

[sn0wchyld]

I approved this EMXB ebike! You can check at viewtopic.php?f=6&t=24253

He mentioned that he sell 750$ for the carbon fiber frame with custom rear swing arms. Sound perfect for you if you want jump lot.
...

I think you meant to say 7500 for a complete bike. if that frame was available at 750 ready to go I think i'd buy one tomorrow. I do remember seeing that he's aiming to produce a cromo frame like this for 2500 or so.

hey guys, have you seen this?
[youtube]zCMQPzKcFqs[/youtube]
count the number of tear-offs (as in goggle lens tear-offs)

HOW DOES DANNY HAY SIT DOWN WITH BALLS THAT BIG
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:


That is some unreal riding. how the hell did he stay up??

back OT,

How are you mounting that gopro?? can I get a pic of the mount? cheers mate

 

[chroot]

Yes, Very true, He did mention that it costed him nearly 4000 dollars just complete his EMXB ebike. I don't mind get his carbon fiberglass frame because I don't jump higher height like what he did on picture.

I am sure carbon fiberglass frame will be fine use in commuter purpose The carbon fiberglass is pretty damn strong than steel. It would last long time if taking it good care. Hey this is attractive because the internal carbon fiberglass should have enough room for 40-50Ah of LiPo.

Was just showing my work buddy the clips of this jump today! I've been watching it too. I'm getting scared of buying just frames since all the extra parts can cost a fortune - and i have enough trouble finding replacement parts...

If he is going make frame with the cromo tubing and it is going cost lot money. I just want his carbon fiberglass frame without cromo tubing. I am not going jump that high like what he is testing abuse his new product frame.

I think you meant to say 7500 for a complete bike. if that frame was available at 750 ready to go I think i'd buy one tomorrow. I do remember seeing that he's aiming to produce a cromo frame like this for 2500 or so.

 

[GCinDC]

How are you mounting that gopro?? can I get a pic of the mount? cheers mate

piece of plexiglas bungeed to batt pack (wrapped several times - i'd removed most to charge). gopro motorsports mount attached to plexiglass. gopro mounted upsidedown... ugly, but it works and is much more stable then most other options... the suction on that mount is sick.

 

[GCinDC]

just to show you i'm not a total maniac these days... traffic was only going 30mph, so i restrained myself from making hairy passes... especially w/ a cop on my tail half the way.
[youtube]pu-FER8qydg[/youtube]
you can see my little 'downhill' shortcut near the end... :lol:

 

[Whiplash]

You know, that bike seems really slow in that video... did you volt it down? Lol!!

 

[sn0wchyld]

How are you mounting that gopro?? can I get a pic of the mount? cheers mate

piece of plexiglas bungeed to batt pack (wrapped several times - i'd removed most to charge). gopro motorsports mount attached to plexiglass. gopro mounted upsidedown... ugly, but it works and is much more stable then most other options... the suction on that mount is sick.
View attachment 1

nice mate, just about to order myself one! I was tempted by the contour GPS, particually with the ability to rotate the lens so you can still capture 16*9 video when its on its side, but that 135deg view angle means you miss allot of the action compared to 170deg. even the promo vid on their site has parts where you miss parts of the full shot. shame, cause otherwise they look really good.

 

[GCinDC]

[I was tempted by the contour GPS... but that 135deg view angle means you miss allot of the action compared to 170deg.

did you see the contour ROAM? it's only 200 and has 170 deg... i haven't done a thorough comparison tho

 

[sn0wchyld]

[I was tempted by the contour GPS... but that 135deg view angle means you miss allot of the action compared to 170deg.

did you see the contour ROAM? it's only 200 and has 170 deg... i haven't done a thorough comparison tho

http://contour.com/products/compare_cameras

WTF??? I didnt realise the GPS unit didnt have an internal battery or waterproofing!! lame.

and the ROAM might have a wide angle lens, but no 60fps video and a meer 1m waterproofing?? You really want more than that, given the pressure a camera can feel can be far more than merely the depth they're at, particually for surfing shots and the like. Also, does'nt look like you can remove the battery either, so if its dead your stuck waiting for a charge rather than swap it over 'n' go. lame.


Gopro it is.


ps
sorry to hijack your thread for a gripe about contour. I was almost tempted until I saw the comparison chart.

and thanks for the link, made the decision easy!

 

[veloman]

[So he's cycling in the middle of the road and moron harasses him and cuts him off.. That's bad. No excuse. Some drivers are sick. HOWEVER, I must confess that I CAN'T STAND cyclists who take a whole f***ing lane in fast moving traffic. it's rude. and some just sit there in the middle, oblivious to motorists behind. WTF? why don't they get out of the way, move over? i'm convinced it's these asinine self-righteous pricks who've ruined it for most cyclists. from age 15, i used to ride on top of the painted line, or ride to the right of it, making it a challenge how close to the edge I could stay... parked cars complicate the matter, with the possibility of getting doored... over on hains pt, good luck trying to pass a cyclist ever. they will ride side by side w/ cars behind and not a care in the world... be courteous, share the road. when i was on student exchange in kenya, they've got a different rule about driving: MIGHT IS RIGHT! huge busses plow down the middle and everyone else gets out of the way! if you're little, you move out of the way. if you're slow, get ready to get passed...

There's two situations. One, the road is plenty wide enough for the cyclist to ride on the shoulder safely and have cars pass. Then theres many roads that are simply just 4 lanes with no shoulder. In this situation the cyclist is suppose to take the lane to prevent cars brushing past. This is the case a lot here in TX (Austin).

I know what you mean about the riders who are talking with their friends taking up the entire lane (2 lane road or with a wide shoulder), going slow and blocking everyone, that's not cool, and the reason I don't ride with many groups. When I was in CT, there was a large group and we would go 25-35mph, taking the entire lane on two lane secondary roads, but the speed limit was in that range. Cars would do stupid sheet and try passing us, even though we were going the speed limit. That was some real dangerous stuff on their part, they'd be going 60mph trying to pass us, head on into oncoming traffic in the other lane. All because they didn't want to go the speed limit.

 

[dbaker]

Last 2 days there have been motorcycle cops staked out on the CC trail Wonder who/what they are looking for

 

[GCinDC]

Wonder who/what they are looking for

must be intel on the 'credible threat'... they've been camped out at along Mass Ave too - but let's not forget what's near Ward Circle. if something nasty does happen downtown (and i often whether if it's more 'when' than 'if'), i'm guessing i'll be better off with the bike than a car. i just saw the movie contagion too, so am in the mood to stockpile... water...

oh my... anyway, it was a nice, 'high energy' commute this morning. (didn't record it.) August was so lazy...

there's something 'special' about September - it should be called Stresstember... everyone's under so much stress at their jobs. they drive like there's no tomorrow... :lol:

 

[dbaker]

End of federal fiscal year. Major stress at my building

 

[GCinDC]

end of fiscal year or end of the world?
[youtube]flZ02ZlVmt0[/youtube]
looked up and saw this during lunchtime ride. hard to make out w/o polarized sunglasses. never seen it before.

 

[sn0wchyld]

end of fiscal year or end of the world?
[youtube]flZ02ZlVmt0[/youtube]
looked up and saw this during lunchtime ride. hard to make out w/o polarized sunglasses. never seen it before.

ITS THE EYE OF MORDOR!! lol

nice picture though.

 

[GCinDC]

ITS THE EYE OF MORDOR!!

that's good. i'm watching 'game of thrones' right now, so it seems mideval...

so to georgetown via m st, just before the lunch crunch:
[youtube]8HvYQER8zl8[/youtube]

 

[GCinDC]

[youtube]SjcKY8BR4Cc[/youtube]