Schwinn izip Conversion [Archive]

JeanCoutu

06-03-07, 01:41 PM

We're not talking about something that goes a few km/h faster then the limit... This vehicle goes 54.6mph, the pedals are not geared to be usable anywhere close to this speed, should be a pretty good hint right there... Now 54.6mph is 86km/h, this is full-blown motorcycle territory - even limited speed motorcycles are to top out at less then 70km/h, mopeds to 50-ish... And I know of no place on earth where this type of electric motorcycle, with pedals on it, would be thought of as an electric bicycle...

Zeuser

06-03-07, 02:11 PM

Despite your skewed conception of an electric motorcycle, this is still an eBike at the core but just way too fast, and illegal in most areas.

A true electric motorcycle can't be reversed into a legal eBike, Karma's bike can. As such... it's still an eBike, not an electric motorcycle.

karma

06-03-07, 05:07 PM

your right its way to fast im working on a relay to switch from one battery pack to the other. and i was wondering if the controller and the motor could take the 48 volts. so i set it up and had some friends take me to street not busy.

it was a controlled test would i do it again no. but it was fun trying it :)

karma

06-04-07, 08:16 AM

here is the link to the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJqVRO5zUkA

cheers

JeanCoutu

06-04-07, 12:41 PM

You could build a bicycle out of stove pipe if you wanted to, but that wouldn't make it a stove... Imo a self-propelled, motorcycle-like device that goes at motorcycle speeds, should rightfully be called such...

Anyways I asked about cooling because I know of someone who fried such an MY1018 by overvolting it that way, running it hard for 7 miles I think. Ended up getting a new one & adding forced cooling. Good news is they're real cheap, 45$ at TNCscooters.

Backup of the original thread here:
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=482&highlight=my1018

And a followup:
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=525&highlight=my1018

Zeuser

06-04-07, 01:09 PM

You could build a bicycle out of stove pipe if you wanted to, but that wouldn't make it a stove... Imo a self-propelled, motorcycle-like device that goes at motorcycle speeds, should rightfully be called such...

Well... that's just it: it's your oppinion and not how Transport Canada and the Ministry of Transportation sees it.

Karma's bike doesn't qualify as a moped, scooter or motorcycle. It's an eBike if he can keep it below 500W constant output at the motor and below 32km/h under assist power.

It's an illegal eBike but it's more closely related to an eBike than an Electric motorcycle according to the law.

Your oppinion has nothing to do with it.

PS: Motorcycles don't have operable pedals that can be used for propulsion.

karma

06-11-07, 01:00 AM

mastershake916

08-18-07, 04:00 AM

This is interested, how did you pull it off?

The7

08-18-07, 05:16 AM

i pushed the motor at 48 volts. max speed was 54.6 mph.

Vow. !!!!!!?????
It is unbelievable. Max 54.6mph (87 km/h) with 48V battery on an 24V brushed motor.
Is it on flat? Downhill?

What was the speed with 24V battery?

Lowell, what is your record?

karma

08-21-07, 09:19 PM

with a 24volt pack its around 25mph

Lowell_

08-22-07, 04:30 AM

Vow. !!!!!!?????
It is unbelievable. Max 54.6mph (87 km/h) with 48V battery on an 24V brushed motor.
Is it on flat? Downhill?

What was the speed with 24V battery?

Lowell, what is your record?

56.5mph on flat ground, 62.5mph downhill. (Alex Fraser bridge heading south. Not sure what the gradient is)

Since then I've raised the nominal voltage from 91.2v to 98.6v, so if I run the 503/26" setup again the speeds will definitely be quicker. At 98.6v the 5304/20" combo has very good low and medium speed performance, reaching 40mph in 7 seconds flat.

amphenol

08-22-07, 07:08 AM

got the izip to!!!

put it on 36volt since I read karma article on 48volt I got 50KPH on flat asphalt road and 45 kph on gravel W/o human help (I weight 175lbs) notice that the motor get fairly hot ! but use it full power only for burst when needed .

Karma have you done something to keep it a bit colder ?? also I notice that you put a front derailleur :beer: Which type is it ? how did you get it to hold there since the battery rack is in the way ? got a got close up picture by any chance??

btw karma do you use your izip @ 48volt daily ??

sorry for all those question but I would really like to do this to since it is basically impossible to help the motor @ 50 kph with the oem geared system !!

thanks !!

The7

08-22-07, 01:26 PM

56.5mph on flat ground, 62.5mph downhill. (Alex Fraser bridge heading south. Not sure what the gradient is)

Since then I've raised the nominal voltage from 91.2v to 98.6v, so if I run the 503/26" setup again the speeds will definitely be quicker. At 98.6v the 5304/20" combo has very good low and medium speed performance, reaching 40mph in 7 seconds flat.

You are using 90V+ to get 56.5 mph.
Ampheno could do 50kpm using 36V (=> 41mph using 48V)
But Karma could get nearly the same speed (54.6mph) at half the battery voltage (48 v).

That is why Karma's speed is incredible !!?
Wonder if anyone else could get the same speed as Karma using 48V battery !?

karma

08-22-07, 07:17 PM

i think it may have something to do with the geared motor not sure but it still works. i put sealed bearing in the gearbox so i can fill it with motor oil without it leaking out. it works i just changed it it was black but no metal frags :)

when my new ebike gets here ill pull it apart so everyone can see what i did over time. i did so much i forgot half of what i did to it when i first purchased it.

btw karma do you use your izip @ 48volt daily ?? yes it still works great but im way over my
300 charges i may need new batterys. i just moved when i unpack my camara ill take pictures.

cheers

karma

08-22-07, 08:05 PM

for the front gear i cut the front of the controller box to make room and mounted the controller on the outside for cooling. i also added a nipple on the gear box for oiling. but without the sealed bearings the oil will run out the gear shaft. makes a nice mess on the rear wheel.

here is a fast test of the gearbox http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42Yl4kjpXEY

cheers

amphenol

08-23-07, 11:51 AM

thanks for the great pics karma !!!

nice disk brake too that is not the stock front wheel right ??

so you don't cool down the motor @ all ex:hole drill in casing , fins, etc ??

karma

08-23-07, 05:43 PM

motor is stock no changes just the nipple to add oil. i was thinking on drilling some holes for cooling but that would just let dust and dirt in. never take the side plate off the motor the brushes are Riveted to it
and you will need to take it completely apart to get it back together. i found out the hard way pain in the $#@$#@:o

the forks and disk brake are from another bike. i had problems stoping before i made the changes

DudleyDoRite

08-24-07, 12:25 AM

This is a great thread, I have the same bike and it's a dog in stock form. I'm thinking of converting to the nano phosphate, A123 batteries a la dewalt power tools. That should be lot lighter than another SLA pair. yeah yeah, I know they cost their weight in gold.

karma

08-25-07, 04:02 AM

sounds like a good idea with my extra batterys the bikes over 200lbs and i live on the second floor i take the stairs:D makes for a good workout

i was asking around and from what i understand canadian tire will not be selling izip or there other bigger model next year do to
problems with the hub motors wires melting. we shall see

karma

08-26-07, 05:26 PM

i found a way to cheat servicing the motor and brushes. simple tape tabs:)

theres a lot of miles on this bike but verry little brush damage. now its a little faster

cheers

The7

08-26-07, 06:15 PM

A clever way to do!

DudleyDoRite

08-27-07, 10:33 PM

Karma, keep the tips coming, I'm trying to do all the maintenance things you're doing on your bike. My bike with 200kms on it seem to be much lounder than when I bought it. I'm still a little scared to take the motor apart since you said not to take sides off or would have to totally dismantle.

I only get about 10 km/charge on it with stock batteries. Crappy tire never provided me with a charger, said they will phone me when they get one in, been near 3 months. I have to dismantle battery case each time to charge the sucker with a 1a 12v crappy tire trickle charger, ugh.

karma

08-30-07, 07:20 PM

not sure what just happend. i was geting ready to go out and do a run to get coffee i took it off the charger and turned it on and it took off on its own at full speed in my hallway allmost taking out the dog:eek:

it left a good skid mark on the floor and did a wheelie a good one at that. fell on its side and the blue
magic smoke came out of the controller.

anyone have a controller do that? bad fets?

time to upgrade the controller.

good thing i had junk in the hallway from work to stop it from entering the washroom

The7

08-30-07, 07:28 PM

The ebike knew that you are upgrading to e-vespa and ran from you!

karma

08-30-07, 07:43 PM

i think it does. the controller is toast:)

DudleyDoRite

08-30-07, 11:05 PM

ok, I'm gonna hold off on increasing voltage.

The7

08-30-07, 11:46 PM

i think it does. the controller is toast:)
What was the battery voltage did you use?

karma

08-31-07, 09:25 PM

46 volts i see some water stains inside the case im guesing that did it. the caps are 60 volts
the controller never got hot ever. uping the voltage never killed it. bad production did. there not that sealed from
weather.:( just a few dabs of silicon.

hmm what is this a new project :)

mike-on-da-bike

09-16-07, 10:13 AM

i have the ezip version guys what is the best way to boost my tourqe and speed just a little,should i go get a bigger motor say a 450 watt,or increase the voltage or both?i have currie setup 2oo watt brushed motor,lead acid battery 24 volts 10ah on my controller it says max ouput 25 amps output voltage 1-4 volts but this thing is sealed too so it looks like i cant tamper with that.any tips guys?

karma

09-16-07, 11:31 AM

the currie motor can take a lot of voltage the izip is the same just add another 12volt battery in series to test
keep track how hot the motor and controller get. you may need to install the controller on the outside of the bike for cooling if its in a case.

amphenol

09-17-07, 06:13 AM

hello !

I have been running my schwin i-zip wich is the same as the currie . on 36 volt for the pass 3 month .

36 volt cure the izip lack of torque and the motor and controller doesn't get hot . exept when I climb the hill @ my work wich is something like 18% for ~ 3km long all on gravel . then I simply get off my i-zip @ the bottom and wlk beside to save the motor and my legs :o no choice I guess only an gas scooter would do it .

other then that the only other problem I found is that @ full speed (36volt ) you simply have to pedal to fast to help the motor (missing a gear) so I don't use it full speed, until I put a front dérailleur like karma .

mike-on-da-bike

09-17-07, 09:14 AM

thanks for that guys so i can keep the same controller i take it just get another 12 volt battery then ok,i wont be needing full speed all the time just up a few little hills so i guess the motor wouldnt get too hot,like most things you just got to try one or two and see what works atleast your putting me in the right direction,big retail chains are going in big with these ebike here now and daily i get 10 or so folk asking me about mine,even the chicky babes haaaaa,they it.sydney has the worst public transport in the world i think its going backwards,petrol is getting to expensive about $1.50 per litre and folk really do want an alterative to cars.my bike beats the buses to the shops and its my main way off getting about now i do drive but not alot now i have the bike i see and chat to more chicky babes this way not jumping in the car again lol.

mike-on-da-bike

10-30-07, 09:53 AM

looks like exactly the same motor as mine on the ezip your frame is also the same i like these frames nice and strong they are,my bike is pretty much the same but not quiet as fast yet lol.

geebee

10-30-07, 02:46 PM

According to the calculator that would require over 3 kw of OUTPUT power, even if it was 70% efficient at that level it would require almost 4 kw input and would generate 1 kw of heat. 48v at over 80 amps, not going to happen.
The motor can't do that and survive. It is a good little motor but it gets hot very hot on steep hills at 24 volts.
I would have your speedo checked as it is off by a fair margin, would it be possible they left it in kilometer mode?
How fast did the speedo show in the video?

karma

11-18-07, 06:00 AM

i have a idea to change over my izip from brushed to brushless with parts from my other ebike why u ask
well i was looking over the e-bike and theres a small crack in one of the front shock tubes very cheap front end so i wana recyle the parts.

i have left a pic have a look tell me if its will work. mind you i will cut off the rim leaving just the brushless hub.

cheers

shaka2

05-18-08, 10:07 AM

Hi everyone,
This is great. I am a newbie and now have bout the izip i was pursuaded by the great youtube vid. I also started a new thread not to be offensive to this great thread but didn't see the info (lol)
I want to upgrade this by adding another battery and doing mods and need some help in a very simple way.
I would like to add another battery and maybe upgrade it to 36Volts if possible. I just don't know where to start and begin or what even to look for!
1. I was thinking that on the side of the battery there is the 3 prong connector. what if there was a adapter that could be had that could access the battery and connect to another?
2. if i get another battery what model can i get and how is it hooked up? the stock izip battery is enclosed and i do not know how to modify it let alone access it.
So that is about it Karma you have done an incredible job i am hoping you can help me out and i am amazed at your talent. Do you freelance? anyway this is great and i hope to c u all in the fast lane soon.
Badnewsz

karma

05-19-08, 06:06 AM

parts needed

rear bike rack
extra sla battery
copper wire
jigsaw with metal blade
12v sla charger for extra battery
extra connector's
volt meter

it goes faster but let off the gas on hill's, . you may cook the motor.

good luck! i need to pack my pc away im moving this week. post your results ill look it up next week.

cheers:p

toyfountain

05-20-08, 09:37 PM

This thread contains great information. I've been reading this and other threads. I've purchased a CT Schwinn Izip with a spare 24V battery a couple of weeks ago. I couldn't install a rear rack because I tow my son's bike from time to time with a trailgator bar. I mounted the spare battery on the lower frame bar in a box I built. I move the battery cable from one battery to the other for now. I am more interested in gaining the maximum range compared to speed since I need to commute 15 km both ways and I can not recharge while at work.

I was wondering if someone has pictures of the battery once it's opened. I was hoping to make some kind of cable to connect the batteries in parallel using the existing connectors. Problem is, I can not find any cable to match these special cables they use. I am thinking of replacing them with regular computer connectors and cable from spare power supplies I have. Since both my batteries are still under warranty, I hesitate to mod them right away without knowing how it's built. I would also like to recharge both batteries together with the one charger that came with the bike. Any advice will be much appreciated.

shaka2

06-24-08, 11:13 PM

Hi emergency,
Can someone please post how to add 12 volt to izip 24volt battery.
I am about to open it up, but need some help with the wiring.
I know there are two batterries in there and i have to drill a hole, to the new battery but need a really basic set of instructions to connect and add the new battery. Also just a note is 12 volt sla cool, and they are try in sell me two new batteries because they say, a new battery mixed with older ones will be a problem......help!!!!

shaka2

06-24-08, 11:16 PM

anyone have pics on how to add a 12 volt to izip, or a thread where i can find a diy or how to?
Many thanks

shaka2

06-24-08, 11:20 PM

:crash:
Need help adding a 12 volt to izip battery pack. need help with the wiring. a stuff needed. I need to go faster.....anyone have a how to do thread with pics? Much appreciated. apologize for the multiple request...
Thanks...and see you on the road....

frogblender

06-27-08, 09:37 PM

I added a 3rd battery to the izip. I will post pictures of the wiring; I just opened the battery pack, snipped one of the battery wires, and ran the two snipped ends (with extension wires) to my 3rd battery (ie. all 3 batteries in series. Get the polarity correct. I drilled two small holes in the plastic battery pack to accomodate the two wires going to the 3rd batt on the rack).

Charger:
- now, you need to buy a 36v charger. I got one off ebay for $26USD delivered: 36v 1.5A. Works great in the 1 week I've had it. http://tinyurl.com/6lbs4m

I had to put an "izip connector" on the DC end of it. (An "izip connector" _looks_ like the IEC power connector on the back of your computer, but it's not quite - the pin used for AC ground is sideways. Where does one get an "izip connector"? I sacrificed a computer power cable, and drilled out the the AC ground pin receptacle - the izip uses this pin for motor power only; during charging, it is not used). Works great.

At 36volts, the motor runs hot, but not stinking hot. I suppose it is possible to cook it if you flog it hard ("flog hard" means full throttle at low speeds). I have about 200km on mine so far.

Performance:
With stock 24Volt:
- top speed is 28km/hr
- range on flat highway at top speed is 20km with no pedalling

With 36Volt:
- top speed is 40km/hr
- range on flat highway at top speed is 20km with no pedalling

Now, I want to add a 4th batt. I need to figure out forced-air cooling, or the motor'll cook for sure. Also need to put in sealed bearings and an oil nipple like Karma did. And a bigger front chainring would help - at 40km/hr, you have to pedal at several hundred RPM. And I still haven't decided whether the stock brakes are any good or not.

I see CanadianTire is selling the i-zip for $350 now - man, that's alot of bike for the money.

toyfountain

06-27-08, 10:13 PM

The Canadian Tire Izip is back up to $500 now, not $350. It appears like their «liquidation» sale was just an excuse to refuse their 14 days price protection policy to previous buyers. A normal liquidation sale usually last until all of the items are gone or the season is over.

donob08

07-02-08, 06:31 AM

[quote=frogblender;6961394]I added a 3rd battery to the izip. I will post pictures of the wiring; I just opened the battery pack, snipped one of the battery wires, and ran the two snipped ends (with extension wires) to my 3rd battery (ie. all 3 batteries in series. Get the polarity correct. I drilled two small holes in the plastic battery pack to accomodate the two wires going to the 3rd batt on the rack).

There's an easier way to get to the two leads joining the two batteries. Those two wires go to the fuse. All you need to do is Rube Goldberg a fuse clone that just mates with the contacts for the fuse and brings the leads out. Then you can put in an external fuse in series with your third battery. Or bring leads out of the controller box from the center pins on the switch and the lead to the controller. A battery attached that way will be in series with either the right or left battery pack. It needs MANY AH.

Solar.110mb

07-04-08, 10:08 AM

Last Friday I was about to order an Izip online and the internet slowed down and then the price suddenly jumped to $499.99 before I was able to get the order in.
I ended up getting the sale price honored in the store at $349.99, they have friendly managers.
If you missed out and really want one at that price, talk to the manager in the store.