rsisson
100 W
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2007
- Messages
- 124
I just finished the basic construction of a Sidekick, which is a hybrid Quadracycle/bicycle thing....
Basically its a 4-wheeled cart made from MOSTLY 1.25" PVC Pipe. Seats two, and can carry over 400#'s.
http://www.americanspeedster.com/side-kick.htm
I will be adding a Phoenix Racer Hub Motor on a 20" wheel, and a crystalite 4840 controller. The Kit comes with SLA batteries, and I will be doing the debugging with those, but am planning to convert to LiPo's when the budget allows.
The frame is remarkably stiff, much to my surprise. It has a nice high gear, but not a very good low gear, it was designed for flatter territories, (Florida) so I am not surprised. (I am in Maryland)
I will be adding 2 super bright LED headlights, running lights, a horn, and some other stuff to make it more comfortable. Everything will be LED based to keep the drain down. I will be using a 48V->12V converter so as to not unbalance the battery pack... So far, my "auxiliary" drain will be less than 6A at 12v, or about 1.5A at 48V
The cost, well under $500 for the Sidekick, and then another $1K for the Hub motor, controller etc....
I think that it will top out at about 25 Mph, but I will still be able to go on Bike Paths... The Phoenix can go faster with a 26" wheel, but this thing uses 20"'s, and wind resistance is going to be an issue, even at 20Mph in this thing.
It is not as fancy or slick as some of the other vehicles on the forum, but it is fun, and was/is fun to tinker with. As mine is not painted yet, it has lots of Lowes and Home Depot stickers all over it, so it gets attention... (did you BUILD that, uhm, thing...)
Oh well, look for lots of post in various sections as I document my trials and tribulations with this...uhm... thing.
Well, I guess it qualifies as a NEV ??
Bob Sisson
Gaithersburg Md
Basically its a 4-wheeled cart made from MOSTLY 1.25" PVC Pipe. Seats two, and can carry over 400#'s.
http://www.americanspeedster.com/side-kick.htm
I will be adding a Phoenix Racer Hub Motor on a 20" wheel, and a crystalite 4840 controller. The Kit comes with SLA batteries, and I will be doing the debugging with those, but am planning to convert to LiPo's when the budget allows.
The frame is remarkably stiff, much to my surprise. It has a nice high gear, but not a very good low gear, it was designed for flatter territories, (Florida) so I am not surprised. (I am in Maryland)
I will be adding 2 super bright LED headlights, running lights, a horn, and some other stuff to make it more comfortable. Everything will be LED based to keep the drain down. I will be using a 48V->12V converter so as to not unbalance the battery pack... So far, my "auxiliary" drain will be less than 6A at 12v, or about 1.5A at 48V
The cost, well under $500 for the Sidekick, and then another $1K for the Hub motor, controller etc....
I think that it will top out at about 25 Mph, but I will still be able to go on Bike Paths... The Phoenix can go faster with a 26" wheel, but this thing uses 20"'s, and wind resistance is going to be an issue, even at 20Mph in this thing.
It is not as fancy or slick as some of the other vehicles on the forum, but it is fun, and was/is fun to tinker with. As mine is not painted yet, it has lots of Lowes and Home Depot stickers all over it, so it gets attention... (did you BUILD that, uhm, thing...)
Oh well, look for lots of post in various sections as I document my trials and tribulations with this...uhm... thing.
Well, I guess it qualifies as a NEV ??
Bob Sisson
Gaithersburg Md