Newb ?? Heat/airflow & hub ? for my commuter

[Signguy-Everett]

Hi,

Been reading today for about 8 hrs and just want to ask a couple questions. I live in the Pacific NorthWet and want to keep everything as dry as possible. Do the controllers & batteries get hot enough that they need really good airflow or can they be put in the tail bags on the bikes without to much worry? The bag that came with my kit 48V 1000W yesusa.com is huge and can easily fit both the controller, bag, and (maybe a body or two or) my lunch. I just ordered a 48V 15A Li-ion battery I don't know much (OK anything) about the batteries and heat generation and the controllers.

Now a question about the rear hub. I installed it the other day and don't have room for the disk brake so I took it off and will just use the compression cable "Y" brakes that came with the bike (no biggie). I tightened the wheel down and then couldn't pedal it. After futzing with it for a while and loosening up the bolts it turned. Right now I don't have it tight but just sitting on my stand. When moving the pedal it feels like it has slight detents (Like some of the old stereo volume knobs would click slightly at each graduation) with some friction. This is a brushless REAR hub.

I'm sure I've got a variety of other questions but am tired of reading.

My bike is my old Schwinn Sierra (~1990 or so) black chrome, I've installed a Manatou front fork on it. I've put some fenders on it . It has been my commuter bike years ago and I need to get back to riding. I put a 2 smoke engine on it which worked well for about 300 miles then stopped starting so I took that off and now am going Lectric!

Thanks for your help,

 

[Drunkskunk]

The controller is capable of getting hot enough to cause a fire if enclosed in a bag. It needs airflow.
The battery is fine in a bag. If it gets too hot, it already had problems.

a gearless brushless motor will feel like it's cogging when turned by hand. that's the feeling of the magnets pulling against the stator. If the motor didn't turn at all when you tightened the axle, then likely the motor is hitting the frame someplace. If I had to guess, I'd say at the point where the disk brake mount meets the frame, or possibly the last gear of the sprocket. you may need to add some washers as spacers.

 

[Signguy-Everett]

Thanks for that great info. I'll look at my setup for installation options for that controller. Maybe install a couple of ram air hood scoops :lol: Although if it was in some sort of bag w/room around it that might not be a bad idea for some airflow. I'll try to find some photos of folks builds and see how everyone is installing them for ideas. Thanks again.

 

[dogman dan]

Controller for that kit does need some cooling air. You can devise something creative to keep it dryer, yet let air flow over it. I like mounting it to the front of a battery box or bag on the rear rack as a starting point. Under your ass, with an extra bit of fender under your rack, it's a dryer place. You can add more sealant to the outside of the controller box too.

The hub itself just needs the usual cheap kit adjustments, a washer here, a washer there, till it works ok. Sometimes the gears will rub the frame without an extra washer.

 

[amberwolf]

I'll try to find some photos of folks builds and see how everyone is installing them for ideas.

homemade battery pack thread

before and after pics of your creation thread