What's the easiest (and safest) way to add another 12 volts?

[MikeFairbanks]

Electric Tricycle: Heavy. At 36 volts it does great in the flats and small hills, but I have a couple that the trike can't do alone. Needs pedaling. That's not a big deal, but you know how it goes: we all want more power.

I don't want to change anything on the system except adding 12 more volts.

Is this possible and how would I do it?

Setup: 9c front hub motor, 22amp controller, 36volt SLA battery pack.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[neptronix]

Add a 12v battery of ( equal aH ) in series and buy a 48v SLA charger.

Doesn't get any simpler than that!

 

[Hillhater]

... Though you may find that it is your 22A controller that is restricting the hill climbing ability .

 

[icecube57]

What he said... You will get more speed and more torque in the process.

Go to http://www.tncscooters.com for a charger. I only suggest them cause they are in TN and you will get it in a hurry. You can buy a battery at your local walmart. The 12v 12Ah that goes in the kids cars. You will not be able to use your same bag but you have good enough carpentry skills to figure something out.

I suggest if you get the 4th battery you need to plug all the batteries in parallel and let them sit for a day and then series them. This will allow all the batteries to equalize to the same level. That way you wont have 3 fully charged batteries and 1 partially charged battery. If you try to put the charger on it without equalizing them...it will cause the fully charged batteries to overcharge.

Also you will have to find a way not to over discharge them cause if you rely on the LVC of the controller it will over discharge the battery. Please look into getting a turnigy meter to monitor your discharge AH. This will go a long way in extending the life of the batteries. Its 25 plus shipping on hobby king.

 

[MikeFairbanks]

Scratch that idea. I've been working on the trike for awhile today and one of the terminal wires was undone.

It got back up to proper power. Just a fluke that it came undone at some point.

The trike is a bumpy ride and you can't do anything about it with your body like you can with a two-wheeler. With a two-wheeler you can do a lot to minimize bumps, but not with a trike. You get to experience every groove and bump the road gives you. Shook a wire loose.

Now we're back in the game and all is well.

Plus, I had to take a deep breath and tell myself, "no more spending money on the school project. Time to save for your own project."

The trike isn't mine. Belongs to the school (even though I use it to commute most days as part of the study).

My next project (and I need to stay focused) is a two-wheeler.

Focus, focus, focus.

Next time I suggest spending money on the trike, kick me and remind me to stay on task with a two-wheeler.

Thanks, guys.

 

[MadRhino]

Next time I suggest spending money on the trike, kick me and remind me to stay on task with a two-wheeler.

Hehe, you're gonna get old before your time on that trike. Build yourself a full suspension beast.

 

[Gordo]

Scratch that idea. I've been working on the trike for awhile today and one of the terminal wires was undone.

It got back up to proper power. Just a fluke that it came undone at some point.

The trike is a bumpy ride and you can't do anything about it with your body like you can with a two-wheeler. With a two-wheeler you can do a lot to minimize bumps, but not with a trike. You get to experience every groove and bump the road gives you. Shook a wire loose.

Now we're back in the game and all is well.

Plus, I had to take a deep breath and tell myself, "no more spending money on the school project. Time to save for your own project."

The trike isn't mine. Belongs to the school (even though I use it to commute most days as part of the study).

My next project (and I need to stay focused) is a two-wheeler.

Focus, focus, focus.

Next time I suggest spending money on the trike, kick me and remind me to stay on task with a two-wheeler.

Thanks, guys.

Mike;
Why can't you mount a suspension seat post on the beast?

 

[MikeFairbanks]

I'm not uncomfortable.

On the contrary, it's fun and very comfortable. It's the bike that takes the abuse, not my body.

A trike has a purpose, and when my assignment is finished (commuting for the next four months--one down, four to go) I will make a two-wheeler.

The trike will be great in the building where I work. The building is flat, the trike fits through all doorways, and can haul heavy loads. I'm glad we did a trike.

But four months from now I want something faster and nimble (hence, a bike).

We shall see.

 

[dogman dan]

Another 12 v could start you really hitting bumps harder. I had a lot of the same issues with my trike and sla's. The big sla's would jump around and undo themselves. Crimp down those spades harder, or get better quality ones if they are toast. Some even solder the spades to the terminals permanently.

Start though, by buying yourself a nice 48v 15 ah lithuim battery. You'll need it for the future bike, and you can run it on the trike meanwhile.

 

[docnjoj]

MikeFairbanks
Maybe consider building a tilting trike. It would require a Ujoint between the rear wheels and the area just behind the seat. Then it could absorb some bumps and actually corner much better. There is one on the market now but I can't remember the name.
otherDoc