Hello all,
This is my first post here on this forum.
My name is Ron, I am 55 years old, and live in southern California.
I am new to this forum, but have been on many others for various interests, and am a moderator on one forum for a different hobby/interest.
I am interested in learning about adding an electric motor to my senior citizen mothers (78 years old) recumbent trike. I am searching for information and advice for this build, and I'd greatly appreciate any input from those of you who have experience and knowledge.
I am not looking for high performance or high speeds. I am just looking for a reliable electric upgrade to add to her existing trike. I have all the mechanical skills and tools necessary to do the build, but I have no previous experience with E-bikes, so that is why I came here to gain some knowledge and insight, and recommendations.
Her trike is a Trailmate Joyrider. it is a very basic recumbent style, that is designed for handicapped and special needs people. it is a single speed that has a single chain drive from the pedals to a live rear axle. one wheel is the drive wheel, and the other rear wheel is a coaster wheel. both rear wheels are 24" "beach cruiser" type wheels. The front wheel is a 12" rim/tire with a single band type brake. There is currently no rear brake on the bike.
( I will try to post some pics, but I'm not sure how the forum is set up to do that yet, so I may or may not do it right this first try.)
It does have a factory bracket installed for an optional single speed or 3 speed hub with a coaster brake,... and I MAY be adding that upgrade to it at the same time, to provide more braking capacity for her. I am also interested in the possibility of adding a disc brake to the rear axle in lieu of the coaster brake/hub.
I have seen a 12" hub motor kit from " leafbike.com " that looks like it would be a simple installation. it is a 250w 36v kit, with a LeFePO4 battery. (I have no clue what that means in terms of batteries, other than i's the "Good One" to get).
hopefully these links will work:
http://www.leafbike.com/products/diy-bike-conversion-kit/12-inch-electric-hub-motor-kit/12-inch-36v-250w-electric-bike-kit-front-wheel-877.html
http://www.leafbike.com/products/diy-bike-conversion-kit/12-inch-electric-hub-motor-kit/12-inch-36v-250w-electric-bike-kit-front-wheel-877.html
As I previously mentioned, I am not looking for high performance, high speed, or exceptional range.
Se will be driving this around in a closed Seniors community, mostly on sidewalks, and VERY occaisionally on the private community streets. NEVER out in public streets... so most of the time it will be at VERY LOW speeds. (think of dodging senoirs using there walkers and canes),... so yeah,... VERY slow speeds.(4-7 MPH)
when she DOES occaisionally ride in the closed community streets, she will never need to go more than 10-15 MPH.
ALL the driving will be on flat and level surfaces, concrete, asphalt, etc. No grass, No hills ever.
She weighs approx 150lbs, and I doubt if the bike weighs 40-50lbs itself.
my first question is, Will this 12", 250w, 36v kit, be sufficient for her ? (it only basically needs to run about the same or a little more than a "Mobility scooter", 9and not as fast as a typical electric Golf Cart). It probably won't see more than 3 or 4 miles at a time, but I would like to have some reserve power in the battery, so lets say a 20 to 25 mile range, per full charge.
I've read a couple of things about "fast wind" and "slow wind" motors, but I really have no clue as to what all of that means right now... so the best way for me to describe the intended use is Flat Level ground, Fair weather, low speed.
so can anyone here give some insight on this kit, for this application ?
is the controller and all other components good enough for this ?
or do the wires and battery gt too wovr worked / stressed out for this application ?
would some sort of electric drive be better if it was driving the REAR axle instead ?
I am looking to do this on a Very limited budget, but at the same time, I do not want to see melting wires, or circut board burnouts.
thanks for any advice and input.
Ron
This is my first post here on this forum.
My name is Ron, I am 55 years old, and live in southern California.
I am new to this forum, but have been on many others for various interests, and am a moderator on one forum for a different hobby/interest.
I am interested in learning about adding an electric motor to my senior citizen mothers (78 years old) recumbent trike. I am searching for information and advice for this build, and I'd greatly appreciate any input from those of you who have experience and knowledge.
I am not looking for high performance or high speeds. I am just looking for a reliable electric upgrade to add to her existing trike. I have all the mechanical skills and tools necessary to do the build, but I have no previous experience with E-bikes, so that is why I came here to gain some knowledge and insight, and recommendations.
Her trike is a Trailmate Joyrider. it is a very basic recumbent style, that is designed for handicapped and special needs people. it is a single speed that has a single chain drive from the pedals to a live rear axle. one wheel is the drive wheel, and the other rear wheel is a coaster wheel. both rear wheels are 24" "beach cruiser" type wheels. The front wheel is a 12" rim/tire with a single band type brake. There is currently no rear brake on the bike.
( I will try to post some pics, but I'm not sure how the forum is set up to do that yet, so I may or may not do it right this first try.)
It does have a factory bracket installed for an optional single speed or 3 speed hub with a coaster brake,... and I MAY be adding that upgrade to it at the same time, to provide more braking capacity for her. I am also interested in the possibility of adding a disc brake to the rear axle in lieu of the coaster brake/hub.
I have seen a 12" hub motor kit from " leafbike.com " that looks like it would be a simple installation. it is a 250w 36v kit, with a LeFePO4 battery. (I have no clue what that means in terms of batteries, other than i's the "Good One" to get).
hopefully these links will work:
http://www.leafbike.com/products/diy-bike-conversion-kit/12-inch-electric-hub-motor-kit/12-inch-36v-250w-electric-bike-kit-front-wheel-877.html
http://www.leafbike.com/products/diy-bike-conversion-kit/12-inch-electric-hub-motor-kit/12-inch-36v-250w-electric-bike-kit-front-wheel-877.html
As I previously mentioned, I am not looking for high performance, high speed, or exceptional range.
Se will be driving this around in a closed Seniors community, mostly on sidewalks, and VERY occaisionally on the private community streets. NEVER out in public streets... so most of the time it will be at VERY LOW speeds. (think of dodging senoirs using there walkers and canes),... so yeah,... VERY slow speeds.(4-7 MPH)
when she DOES occaisionally ride in the closed community streets, she will never need to go more than 10-15 MPH.
ALL the driving will be on flat and level surfaces, concrete, asphalt, etc. No grass, No hills ever.
She weighs approx 150lbs, and I doubt if the bike weighs 40-50lbs itself.
my first question is, Will this 12", 250w, 36v kit, be sufficient for her ? (it only basically needs to run about the same or a little more than a "Mobility scooter", 9and not as fast as a typical electric Golf Cart). It probably won't see more than 3 or 4 miles at a time, but I would like to have some reserve power in the battery, so lets say a 20 to 25 mile range, per full charge.
I've read a couple of things about "fast wind" and "slow wind" motors, but I really have no clue as to what all of that means right now... so the best way for me to describe the intended use is Flat Level ground, Fair weather, low speed.
so can anyone here give some insight on this kit, for this application ?
is the controller and all other components good enough for this ?
or do the wires and battery gt too wovr worked / stressed out for this application ?
would some sort of electric drive be better if it was driving the REAR axle instead ?
I am looking to do this on a Very limited budget, but at the same time, I do not want to see melting wires, or circut board burnouts.
thanks for any advice and input.
Ron