Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Electric Bikes
Reload this Page >

Which Motor set up

Notices
Electric Bikes Here's a place to discuss ebikes, from home grown to high-tech.

Which Motor set up

Old 06-02-08, 07:23 PM
  #1  
EZ-1 SX to ebike Project
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: SE GA
Posts: 34

Bikes: Sun EZ-1SX

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Which Motor set up

I'm looking into switching my Sun EZ-1SX recumbent into an electric, with wind wrap shield. I'm 275lbs and have had a bum knee surgery that has at least contributed to a less active life style and makes biking a pain where it used to be a joy.

I have seen motors that add an extra chain and motors that sit in a hub. I'm curious what the benefits are of each.

If I go with a in-hub motor, do I go with front or rear.

If I have a bent rim, (say from a pot hole) how do I replace the motor-rim without shelling out for a new motor?

What protections are in place if my youngster knocks over the bike and engages the thumb throttle?

What motor would you suggest for a me with the extra weight that I'm carrying? I'm planning on going with LI-Ion for battery.
chesspupil is offline  
Old 06-02-08, 10:12 PM
  #2  
Thoreauly skeptical
 
wernmax's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Colo Springs, Colorado
Posts: 256
Mentioned: 47 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7559 Post(s)
Liked 821 Times in 684 Posts
https://www.electricrider.com/ Good site for most of your questions.

I run their 4840 Phoenix Racer on a back wheel, which would roll you about 35 mph.

Brushless and gearless hubs are most efficient, almost silent. 25lbs. They have a $1500, 48 volt, 20 amphr lithium battery that can take you 60 miles.

Most controlers shut off after a few minutes if you forget to shut off with the key.

Full kit about $1000.

Cheaper options are Goldenmotor.com, which a buddy of mine runs in front on 26" wheel, top end about 23 mph, $300.

Rims are easy to replace, just don't break the hub.
wernmax is offline  
Old 06-06-08, 09:50 AM
  #3  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I use a 500 w cyclone kit and it works great. I'm a big boy too and found I was breaking rear spokes with me and the weight of the 2 sla batteries on the bike. So I build a small trailer and put 4 12v 18ah sla batteries (24v @ 36 ah) on it. It lightens the bike, frees it up to work as a normal bike, and I have twice the range without breaking spokes. I'd suggest this sort of arrangement for up more stout types.

Take care
Robishop is offline  
Old 06-06-08, 05:55 PM
  #4  
Its not my fault
 
jerryt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 122
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 2 Posts
Chesspupil I am not an expert and have not ridden a recumbent but heres some research for you..

Heres one with a trailer
https://endless-sphere.com/forums/vie...cumbent#p57922

Heres one with a front hub (picture only)
https://endless-sphere.com/forums/vie...cumbent#p57663

Front or rear hub? I don't know but have read that front wheel hub on recumbent may not provide enough traction.

Bent wheel? relace motor in new wheel

Throttle accident? Throttle won't work if controller is turned off. Extra safety precaution with additional on/off switches

edit: Which motor? Contact ebikes.ca
Give them an email or phone call with your requirements. These folk are experts and primarily sell crystalyte motors.
I use(d) a Wilderness Energy hub which is not as pricey but I don't have a recumbent.

Good luck

Last edited by jerryt; 06-06-08 at 06:02 PM.
jerryt is offline  
Old 06-06-08, 06:13 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Port Townsend, WA
Posts: 982

Bikes: xtracycle, electric recumbent, downtube folder and more

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I have a EZ-1 AX as my utility bike with an Ecospeed motor inline. This is by far the most efficient and powerful system. I hauled 180 lbs of cement mix in the trailer for 3 miles which included a 15% grade for 3 blocks and other hills. I also went 30 mph the other day up a slight incline. I also have an EZ-1 with an Electoportal motor, quiet and works for groceries but not the big loads. Both of these systems use the rear hub gears so they are much lighter, more efficient than a hub motor for hauling up steep hills. Recumbents have a long chain so they can use inline motors -even if you don't by an inline check out the info on Ecospeed.net's site.
crackerdog is offline  
Old 06-08-08, 12:05 AM
  #6  
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 27
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Ive got a crystalyte 5303 @ 72volts 40 amps, powered by 2 36v 20Ah ping LiFePO4's. I can pull between 45 and 50MPH for over 20 miles(havent run it all the way down). My preference is a rear wheel hub motor, and sticking the batteries in the triangle of the bike. if you cant fit them in the middle though you're probly better off with a front hub and rear battery rack so you arent back heavy. When I was first looking at building an e-bike I saw an inline motor and was amazed, the idea that i can still have 7-9 gears was awsome. The real downside is the chain. You loose apearently something like 10% of your power to the chain + derailer. As an added "bonus" ive heard they are quite unreliable.
hippiehunter is offline  
Old 06-08-08, 12:41 AM
  #7  
put our Heads Together
 
cerewa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: southeast pennsylvania
Posts: 3,155

Bikes: a mountain bike with a cargo box on the back and aero bars on the front. an old well-worn dahon folding bike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
The real downside is the chain. You loose apearently something like 10% of your power to the chain + derailer. As an added "bonus" ive heard they are quite unreliable.
Reliability is really the kicker. I'm not sure it's a problem with the ecospeed motor but cyclone seems not so great. The efficiency loss in the chain is not really a problem - just buy a bigger battery (and you won't need as large a motor since you can climb hills in lower gear). But if you set yourself up with a 1000W motor (or, in hippiehunter's case a 2880W motor) you have so much power that multiple speeds are completely unnecessary. Mind you, crystalyte controllers have also had reliability troubles when used at these high (60+) voltages.
cerewa is offline  
Old 06-08-08, 12:54 AM
  #8  
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 27
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
yes, i would not recommend a crystalyte controller if you go for anything high end. Mine exploded after about 350 kilometers, when i say exploded i mean splattered all over the inside, melted solder bits of capacitor and all kinds of charring. I would say if you go high end, get something more reliable like a kelly ebike controller, they are actualy designed for 72 volts and have a 1 year warrenty. As a side note, my LiFePOs only set me back about 800 USD.
hippiehunter is offline  
Old 06-08-08, 02:40 PM
  #9  
EZ-1 SX to ebike Project
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: SE GA
Posts: 34

Bikes: Sun EZ-1SX

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'm looking to go with the hub because the military base that I work at does not allow electric scooters or mini bikes. I figure as long as I cut power through the gates that I pass through I will remain in many peoples eyes as a bicycle. I have read the instruction and the only problem I see is that while the definitions of electric scooters and motor cycles clearly do not fit what an electric bicycle is, the instruction does say that a bicycle is a device that is less than 4 wheels and is solely human powered. I actually think there is another category I could fall under: Low Speed vehicle, except that it uses a four wheel definition, under 20 mph. The laws of my state treat electric bikes as bikes if under 20 mph, and the military instruction says to follow state laws where ever practical. Its an issue I do not want to address as I am SURE I WILL if I go with a motor other than hub.
chesspupil is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.