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03-30-10 | 07:37 PM

#61

CowtownPeddler

Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2010

Posts: 110

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From: Calgary

Bikes: Old Norco frame in conversion process

Yeah, it'd be nice, but I have a basement condo in a neighborhood frequented by vagrants, homeless and crack addicts. Charging outside is not an option. I also have the problem of being on a very tight budget, so after the batteries arrived I was left with two choices - wait, or do what I can. I already had the next batch of goods ordered, but had to delay it cause I had some unexpected costs personally.

I have the following on order (with necessary hardware to connect it up): http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s..._Multi_Charger_
and http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...edic_System_6S

I just need to wait for the paycheque to hit the bank, finalize the order and wait for the goods to arrive.

The overall concept was to use a BMS and high output charger on the bike in order to minimize waits and such while guerilla charging over lunch or something - long trips. Since the bike is regen-enabled (Infineon controller mod), the BMS is necessary, never mind that I want to optimize the LVC setting on the Cycle Analyst and reprogram the Infineon to optimize regen on long rides (way home is all downhill). I may also ride it to work daily and regen is especially good in the city.

The balancing charger would be used at home to top the cells up and balance them, in the field overnight at serviced campsites or finally (hopefully) attached to a set of solar cells to charge during the days when I'm out fishing a nearby stream.

The cabling is solved with one set of balancing connectors that both devices use - I ordered some 20cm extension cables, so I have plenty of both male and female connectors. I'm hoping the BMS can also use these connectors and then I'd have a neat set of batteries that I can button up in shrinkwrap.

So far, the kit cost me $840 CDN for the batteries and charger, $650 CDN for the kit, $350 for bike accessories (tires, panniers, 44lb rated cargo rack, metal fenders, etc...) The next order is $310 USD, bringing the total to $2150 for my conversion. I could have bought a full bike for that, but I got much more this way with the AH rating on the batteries (and chemistry). Plus, the cross-border shipping is the real killer.

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