2017 - El Moto

[IckyRick]

* I mounted my battery charger on the wall next to where I park the bike for quick/easy charging

What model Battery Charger is that? and will it keep the voltage low so you don't over charge the batteries?

Is it this guy: https://www.amazon.com/Charger-Lithium-Motorcycle-Anderson-Connector/dp/B07C9BTB4G

 

[Functional Artist]

No, that charger is for a 13S lithium battery,
The Chevy Volt modules that I have been using are 12S (~45V nominal).
So, they have a "safe" top charge voltage of ~49.8V (4.15V per cell x 12 - 49.8V)

The charger that I have been using is a Yewi UY-600, with the top charge voltage factory set to 49.8V

If interested, there's more info about it further back in the thread.

 

[Functional Artist]

1,000 E-Mile Update

My buddy got himself a Harley & we been ridin' a bit
...& so, I noticed that I have just put 1,000 miles on 'er since converting 'er to electric

She rolls out fantastic & is/seems very "nimble" while riding (not like heavy feeling or awkward at all)

I now have (2) of the Chevy Volt 48V 50AH Lithium battery modules powering this 8,000W motor
...so, my range is now ~45 miles
&
I'm now, running a 4.5:1 gear ratio (10T drive & 45T driven)
...so, my top speed is ~41 MPH (when fully charged) yup, she's just a city "cruiser"
&
My chain "routing seems ta be workin' fine
...& I still do not hardly notice any "wear" on my sprockets

*I was warned that my drive sprocket was too small & would wear prematurely or cause problems
...well, them "haters" can "kiss", my drive sprocket





I did a quick video to document the occasion

 

[Functional Artist]

One of the ingenious features that I incorporated, into the design of this bike, was to use an idler with the same size shaft, as the motor
...so, I can easily interchange the (2) different size sprockets without having to "mess" with the size of the chain

The motor has a 10 tooth sprocket
...& with the 50 tooth sprocket on the rear wheel, the gear ratio is 5:1
...& my top speed is ~42 MPH

The idler has a 13 tooth sprocket

So, if I "swap" 'em (technical term)
...& put the 13 tooth sprocket on the motor, the gear ratio would be 3.85:1

By doing this, my top speed should increase
...but, at the expense of some Amps (range) & torque (agility)

* The only "issue" I encountered was, putting a larger diameter sprocket on the motor made the chain "ride higher"
...& as such, the chain was rubbing on the chain guard

So, I had ta do some adjustin'

Yup, I did a video, ta document the progress
...(or failure)

 

[Functional Artist]

I've had my ElMoto out for a couple of rides so far this spring
...but, when I went ta take 'er for a ride last Wednesday, she would not "turn on"

The 48V battery pack, had a full charge
...but, the bikes 12V system was unresponsive (head light, tail light, brake light & turn signals)

So, I did some checking around
...& found that there was 48V goin' into the (48V side) of the DC to DC convertor (48V to 12V)
...but, there was nuthin' coming out of the 12V side

Boom! solved the mystery, the DC to DC convertor failed (has worked good since ~2017)
...so, I ordered a new one
...& just got it today

I added some plug ends
...& dated 'er (for future reference)

Swapped (technical term) 'er out
...added some orange wire covers to protect & designate that they are 48V
...& also, to differentiate them from the 12V wires (black covering)
Then, tidied up the plugs/wiring a bit

Installed the fuse (Convertor has a 20A 12VDC max output so, it's 20A fuse)
...& gave 'er a try

Yup, everything seems ta work
...& were "back in business" (technical term)

 

[Functional Artist]

I've put over 2,000 miles on my ElMoto since converting 'er to electric
...but, when I went ta take 'er for a ride last week she wouldn't "turn on"

Um...WTF...did the 48V to 12V convertor "die" again?

So, I went ta checkin'

Hmmm...this wire don't look "right"

Oh...yea its "burnt"

Hmmm...that wire/plug is the 12V (output side)

 

[Denny]

I’ve known chicks that would not turn on when I went to ride them. But never a bike.

 

[Functional Artist]

Replacement Dc to Dc convertor

Mounted in the bike

...& wired up

 

[Functional Artist]

What the heck is the DC to DC convertor for?

Well, they are usually used on electric golf carts, to reduce the carts battery packs voltage from 36V (or 48V) down to 12V
...to "power" lights &/or a sound system
&
The electrical system on most motorcycles also, operates at/on 12VDC
...& is usually powered by a 12V battery
...which is then re-charged by the engines alternator
But,
When I converted the bike to electric propulsion, I removed the 12V battery & charging system
...but, I still needed to provide the 12VDC to the motorcycles electrical system
...so, I installed a 48V to 12V DC to DC convertor, to provide the reduced voltage needed, to power the bikes electrical system

 

[Functional Artist]

Um...why does the battery pack look different?


While I was waitin' for the DC to DC convertor, I got the bright idea to re-wrap the battery pack
...with some stainless steel (from the door of an old refrigerator)
...ta look extra kooler
...& ta add some more protection

"Full Metal Jacket"

The black "battery box" was
...mainly designed for mounting purposes
...& only covered/protected ~1/2 of the pack

Previously

Now