Electric Bikes - Main power switch?
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Map tester
03-01-09, 03:01 PM
I am in the process of building up my wife's bike with a eZee kit (http://www.ebikes.ca/store/store_ezee.php) from www.ebikes.ca. Everything is going well, but need a little advice on the electrical side. I want to add a main power switch inside the lockable battery rear battery case. The battery is a 48V 12Ah NiMH, the motor at 48v draws 550w, and the controller handles 20v to 60v, with a current limit of 20 A.
Would a common house wall light switch work--in other words, would it be able to able to handle the current and voltage? I don't need anything fancy or waterproof, just something that is suitable.
forestsoul
03-01-09, 04:16 PM
I have a 48V system and use a simple automotive toggle switch that I got at Canadian Tire. It's rated for 12V but it works fine.
Kingofgreens
03-02-09, 06:41 PM
You should be able to find something suitable at any auto parts or hardware store, perhaps even at a WalMart or similar store.
If you want to use something like a wall mount light switch, they are rated at about 120v high amp & wattage so it would be more than sufficient for your application.
The switches like the one forestsoul Posted should be just fine. It's only 12v rated, but at very high amps so it should be just fine for an ebike as long as your not running an insane amount of juice through it.
Generally, you tend to get what you pay for. If you find one at a dollar store, it's more than likely worth about a dollar or less, so I'd look for something that is at least a couple bucks that looks & feels substantial.
The switches like the one forestsoul Posted should be just fine. It's only 12v rated, but at very high amps so it should be just fine for an ebike as long as your not running an insane amount of juice through it.
There is no significant voltage drop across the switch when it is closed, and it will be closed before you engage the motor, so the question is whether it can switch minimal current at battery voltage. The answer is probably yes, but why? Switches rated for 110V 20A (or more) are readily available. If you go with a light switch, make sure it is rated for the required amps.
I would probably just wire a set of powerpole connectors in the wire. They are easy to connect, secure and rated for 10,000 connections.
Some switches are rated for both AC and DC. Using an AC switch for your DC application may not be reliable.