Options for this trike

[Kurt]

I have been hanging out for a trike for some time now its just been something I have wanted for years. I Just picked up a trike terratrike-cruiser with a few extras second-hand like new condition for a good price. I was planing to build one myself but finding the time among other House renovating projects was getting hard. In the end the cost of all the components to build the trike to a good standard if purchased new wasn't much cheaper than the price of a well kept 2nd hand pre built trike. Very entry level trike but simple and no thrills design.

So now I am starting to think what I should do with this new trike to turn it into a e trike. I have a couple of options.

Strip my old E MTB down and re lace the 5304 that's in a 26" into a 20" rim and run it at 72v.The good thing about this option is I have most of the parts. I also think the 5304 would have great torque in a 20" wheel at 72v. Come to think of it I think my new controller is only rated at 60v 45a but perhaps 12s lipo would give me some good voltage for it. The bad part is the old 5304 is heavy and the cogging makes peddling along under your own steam all but useless.

2nd option is to Buy a free wheeling geared hub that can handle 45amps at 48ish v 2000w or so. not sure if there is such a motor that wont break. The bad part about this is the gear noise.

3rd option is to go with a RC motor and some gear reduction driving the back wheel. It looks like I would have the best of both worlds with this option. Using a rc controller is my only worry as. I am not to keen on the "peddle at the start or you will fry your controller limitation of them" I would have to fit sensors to the motor and use a e bike controller to be happy I think. Questions would be info on fitting sensors to say one of the big turnigy out runners and how it would perform using my 45a 36-48v 2000ish watts. My guess is it would be happy and not to stressed at this kind of power level?

Last option is to use my single wheel Bob trailer I have with it and fit a little 16" geared hub motor to that as a push trailer. This would keep the flexibility to use it as a normal human powered trike at times

So many options but hey new projects are always fun for that reason .

The criteria for this trike is that is must be efficient 10 -20 Whrs km would be nice depending on riding style. Neat and simple I guess we all want that. Not to noisy as I would like to keep it a bit stealth. Top speed of 40 - 50kmh is all I need but has to have good torque as I see a lot of short but some very steep hills in my area.I tend to go on rides of around 20km round trip at a time so the motor must be able to handle this without over heating.


Kurt

 

[dogman dan]

I'd say that for better efficiency, starting over with a 9c might be a good idea. You won't have the power of a 5304, but you can still have speed when you need it, and enough power to still take off fast. But with out the huge power spikes a 5304 will gulp down on starts.

For real efficiency, you are talking turn the motor off and pedal, or pedal extremely slow. Doesn't sound like what you plan on riding like, but a BMC or puma would be great for that kind of ride, while still having some power compared to the small gearmotors. $$$ though.

 

[Kurt]

After picking up the trike and getting a feel for what its like to ride and how its built. I am starting to think the 5304 might just be to much of a hulk for what I want to do with it. I would also need over 50v of battery with a 5304 in a 20"wheel to give me useful speed.

My wife's little folding bike has a little brushed geared hub in a 20"wheel. We have been feeding it 25A at 36v. Although the top speed is only around 33kmh it seams to handle the 1000w well.It had good torque off the line I love the free wheeling of this set-up and the light weight .

At this stage I am toying with geared hub options. and 2nd option a 9c with windings that will work well in a 20"wheel at 36v.

I like how spoiled you are for battery placement options on a trike. I could fit 40ah at 36v no prob behind the seat .

Kurt

 

[AussieJester]

3rd option is to go with a RC motor and some gear reduction driving the back wheel. It looks like I would have the best of both worlds with this option. Using a rc controller is my only worry as. I am not to keen on the "peddle at the start or you will fry your controller limitation of them" I would have to fit sensors to the motor and use a e bike controller to be happy I think. Questions would be info on fitting sensors to say one of the big turnigy out runners and how it would perform using my 45a 36-48v 2000ish watts. My guess is it would be happy and not to stressed at this kind of power level?

This is not entirely true, you simply need to push off or in the trikes case push on the pedal to take the 'weight off' the motor as yu apply throttle, it will fire up no probs, im a incomplete paraplegic with extremely limited movement and leg strength and i'm able to move my 45kilo bike enough to start off with no issues. I believe with the new slipper clutches its even more friendly on start up. As your likely aware, forum member Recumpence sells everything required to bolt a 'rc setp' onto a trike. This would be my first choice.


Best of luck anywayz, nice looking ride...

KiM

 

[Kurt]

Thanks Kim,
Its very tempting to go with the RC motor and I think i will treat it as a longer term project goal for this trike.

For now I am going to re lace my 5304 into a 20" rim to start with . This way I can work on mounting all my battery's,CA,throttle and get the thing on the road. I picked up a HD 20" rim just need to get hold of some 76mm 12g spokes.I was trying to work out what others use for a throttle with trikes especially when you have grip shifters?

In regards to the RC motors I think I will buy one of the Big Turnigy out-runners while HK has them in stock just to play with.

How are you mounting the rear drive sprocket. Are people just mounting it to the ISO disk brake mount of the rear hub with an adaptor?

I like the pre built reduction drives that Mat sells how much are they?


To date I have replaced the platform peddles as they are very dangerous on a trike with Shimano clip-less. I also replaced both sloppy Sram grip shifters with cheap set Shimano indexing grip shifters that have a much more positive feel .


Kurt

 

[Rassy]

Kurt, on my delta trike with grip shifters and bar ends that point to the sky I just used a basic thumb throttle mounted upside down on the very end of the bar. Then I ran the wires in a small loop, back into the end of the bar, and out through a small hole near the middle of the bar. My Daughter-In-Law has that trike now and the throttle is still working good after 4 or 5 years.

 

[jateureka]

I just scored a very nice used one of these myself, complete with mudguards and panniers, it was too good a price to pass up!

I read in another of your posts that you tried it with a little hub motor, was that a 250W bafang? what sort of performance did you get?
I'm thinking of changing the rear to 24" if it will fit.