Sunday, December 18, 2011

DIY Electric Bike Costs Breakdown

$236    ebay.com/yescomusa  36V 800W 26" Rear Wheel Electric Bicycle Hub Motor Kit
$  28    ebay.com/mj_warehouse  (4) Craftsman Cordless 19.2 Volt Worklights
$    6    ebay.com/sim_eagle 10 Pcs 50 Volt 10 Amp Schottky Diodes,
$170    Current Batteries  4 Each, 19.2 Volt 3.7 Ah Lithium Rechargeable Tool Batteries
$    6    ebay.com/floorscrubberparts   2 Each,  Anderson Connector SB50, #8AWG, 50A
$    4    D and B Supply  ATC Automotive, Inline Fuse holder, with 30A Fuse
$  10    Harborfreight.com  Heavy Duty Battery Cutoff Switch (Discontinued)
$  10    Misc. 3' 16GA Wire, 5/16" Ring Crimp-on Connectors, Heat Shrink Tubing, Hot Glue sticks and Electrical tape

$470     Total DIY Electric Bike Conversion Parts
$  30     Purchase of Specialized Hardrock 26" 18 Speed, mountain bike from Deseret Indusrties.
$500    GRAND TOTAL
Note: *All prices rounded to nearest $

eXTReMe Tracker

2011 Drivers Pay Highest Ever In Christmas Gas Prices

Hi, Well here we go again, The price of fuel did NOT go up! it actually went down to the lowest price of 3 years.
Why does the media say crap like this? To keep us emotional about things that we cannot control.
We all need to break free from the scare tactics and lies of the media.  This is one of the reasons why I drive and ride electric!!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Battery Groups Glued and 50 Amp Connector

The 50 Amp Anderson connector came a few days ago and I have purchased a 30 Amp fuse holder and 30A fuse. I think I have all of the stuff to finish securing the battery holders to each other.  I did not like the exposed wiring connections. It looked to me that when I was connecting the batteries into the holders it was possible that the exposed wire terminal ends could get in contact with another battery holder terminal.
I used High Temperature hot glue to glue the battery holders together.

I connected the keyed battery cutoff switch inline with the negative battery wire.


Saturday, December 3, 2011

First test Ride!! WooHoo!!

I have a 50 Amp Anderson connector on order. I also want to add a keyed battery disconnect switch on the Lithium battery pack. I mounted the disconnect switch but, I will wait to do the final wiring when the Anderson connector is here.



But, I want to get a ride or two in before it gets any colder out side.  We are in the hi 30s today buy the wind is blowing making the wind chill in the 20s.  I used wire nuts to temporary connect the battery pack to the motor controller.  Cool! the fuse did NOT burn out when I connected the final battery connection and even COOLER when I pressed the thumb throttle and the hub motor spin to life!!

 Here is the location of the controller in the outer side pocket with it's associated wiring.
 Okay, every thing looks good, I did a final check of the brake adjustment.

Let's take it for a spin.............Our pet dog was sure she was getting left out of the fun!

I am impressed with the torque of the motor. The power comes on smoothly with the thumb throttle.
The bike was allot of fun to ride, I almost forgot how cold it was going into the wind, the addition of motor power made the ride into the wind enjoyable, but still cold.


After riding several miles I returned home and parked the bike in the garage, removed the individual 19.2 Volt batteries and put them in the 4-Way Craftsman recharger.

I went in the house to warm up!


Thursday, December 1, 2011

Secure Control Wires and Cables

I used several wire zip ties to tie the control wiring and cables to the bike frame.  I made sure that I had full turning movement of the front wheel and handle bars.
The wires fit nicely against the tube frame of the bike.



The batteries fit into the battery compartment. and the output leads are ready for a connection to the controller.