Page 3 of 5

Re: New commuting vehicle

Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 4:33 pm
by stuartcnz
Dennis, the whole project cost somewhere around 3,000 kiwi dollars, though I haven't worked out the exact cost yet. The figures may well be very different in the States. The bike itself was NZ$700.

The cost of running is where it really comes into it's own though, about 25 cents worth of electricty per return trip to work, compared to about nine dollars for gas, in the car, for the same trip. Add that up over a year and it equates to about $2115.00 for gas alone in the car (not including on road service and maintenance costs), compared with around $58.75 for electricity for the bike.

Re: New commuting vehicle

Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 12:56 am
by Headache
I really love this idea. I've been looking at something like a Rhoades Car or a Workman Team dual trike(or fabbing up a combination of both) for a long time but could never afford to buy one. I want the extra seating capacity so I could take my Dad with me and the basket for trips to the market. I'd also have to have some sort of cover for the rainy days. The electric motor would definitely be a plus. I'd be all over the place!

Re: New commuting vehicle

Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 10:47 am
by Stealth Camper
What kind of motor is it? And inside the hub, huh...that's different.

Re: New commuting vehicle

Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 11:42 am
by stuartcnz
It's a brushless, rare earth, permanent magnet motor, mounted in the hub.

Re: New commuting vehicle

Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 11:44 am
by stuartcnz
Headache, take a look at this site http://cargobikes.co.nz/ this is the same guy who supplied my electric bits, I think his bikes are from somewhere around the States.

Re: New commuting vehicle

Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 2:50 pm
by stuartcnz
I now have the cycle analyst setup on the bike. The return trip to work is about 31 Km and uses about 11.5 amps at 48volts. Along the flat it will cruise at about 38kmh. Coasting on a good downhill with regen braking, charges at over 400 watts.

I should have bought the 15 amp battery instead of the 10 amp one that I did get. I would then be able to do the return trip on a single charge, but that will now have to wait quite a few years, until this one gets worn out.

Out of the last 14 shifts, I have used the bike to get to work on eight of them. As we are coming into winter, it looks like my overall average of riding the bike 50% of the time over a full year, should be easy to achieve.

Re: New commuting vehicle

Posted: Sun May 27, 2012 10:29 pm
by Headache
Now all you need is a winter suit and heated gloves, you'll be all set!

Re: New commuting vehicle

Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2012 5:14 am
by Jerry Campbell
Hi Stuart, and all,
I just ordered An electric bike kit. 36V 500 watt 15 amp LiFePO4. A good medium powered cruiser, I hope.
It has been sunny here in Oregon since july but things are about to change so no riding soon. We will be leaving for the south in a couple of weeks so I probably won't get to it until we get down south. I am looking forward to being able to travel farther than I can peddle.
Jerry

Re: New commuting vehicle

Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2012 10:25 am
by stuartcnz
Hi Jerry,
Let me know how your bike works out.

I need to change a rear brake rotor before riding mine again, but it has been rainy weather here for awhile now, so I haven't been in to much of a hurry. Will need to do it soon though, as I'm definitely noticing how much more I am spending on gas.

Re: New commuting vehicle

Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2012 7:01 am
by Jerry Campbell
Finally made it down south, screwed up my back so the trip took a little longer.
I put the bike together and rode it around a little I worked great. The next day It would not work at all. No response from the throttle.
I disconnected the brake pullers and it works again. I suppose one of the contacts on the break pullers need a little attention. For those that do not know, there are disconnects on each break puller to cut off the motor when you pull the breaks.
Being a motorcycle person for many years I wondered why anyone would need that. I've never had any trouble trying to go and stop at the same time. I will probably not hook them back up.
There are mostly flatlands around here although there is almost no pavement, so the 36 volt motor is more that sufficient. I use the electrics to assist me in peddling if I get tired or I start falling behind my friends. I don't know how long the 15 amp battery will last because I haven't taken any long trips. We shall see. All in all, I am very happy with the electric bicycle. I don't seem to notice the extra weight. I think it is the perfect solution to short and medium distance trips.
Jerry

Re: New commuting vehicle

Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2012 2:12 pm
by stuartcnz
Jerry, I'm glad your bike is working out.

I've been tuning mine, to the point that I am now satisfied that it is complete. It does an excellent job as a work commuting vehicle, in dry to dryish weather.

Having said that I am about to embark on building a new bike. It will be based on a Yuba Mundo, which I will be buying from here http://cargobikes.co.nz/yuba-mundo/ As a cargo bike I will be able to carry a lot more on it, and will set it up with lockboxes, so I don't need to carry a bag on it. This will enable me to use it as a more all weather vehicle and also use it for more chores that I still currently do in the car. It has a motorcycle style double stand, making it much more stable when parked, and will have a bigger battery, giving better hill climbing ability (same top speed though) and further distance range. I'm planning on buying the bike next month, and hope to have it completed in a few months time.

My hope is that by the time I have my bus running, the combination of the bus and bike. I will no longer need to own a car, at all, with my total vehicle running expenses being the same or more likely less than they are now.

Re: New commuting vehicle

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 1:13 pm
by Jerry Campbell
Nice choice for a frame and I love the center stand. Thats the real car replacement vehicle.
You could carry a lot of weight on that.
I too am going to build another bike when I return in the Spring. I will be looking for an aluminum folding frame.
My problem is that I always want to live in the boonies so I am never close to town.
In Oregon it's about 50 miles to town and back thru the hills. I have thought of pulling another set of batteries in a little trailer for those long trips.
I might also get 48 Volts for the new bike and put the 36 volt setup on the wife's bicycle.
We'll see how the money goes when I get back.
I'm glad to see you moving forward with your ebike. I think it's the way to go.
Jerry

Re: New commuting vehicle

Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 1:06 am
by stuartcnz
Perhaps a velomobile might be more suitable. This one looks really good to me, though learning to weld would be a neccessity to get this one. http://www.recumbents.com/mars/pages/pr ... FVMp1.html

Something along these lines could be built with enough battery power for the extended distance commutes you are talking about.

This video is a question and answer session with the designer/builder, which convinced me that it is better thought out as a means of transport than the commercial varieties.


Re: New commuting vehicle

Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 6:40 am
by Jerry Campbell
Image

Here's a photo of my bike.
I have not been able to watch the video yet, the internet is acting up here.
Jerry

Re: New commuting vehicle

Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 2:42 pm
by rlaggren
Good vid. Have to keep an eye on that guy.