R
Rob Mcgregor
Guest
Hi Myron and all,
The batteries I spoke of are actually about $110 each. $440 price was for 4 of them. For 4 of them, that's 72V 4.6Ah 330 Wh and as low as 8 pounds. Not a lot, but I'm trying to build the lightest high power bike possible. I assume I'll be using it mostly in the 15-20 mph range most of the time and the higher range for thrills. At 15 mph, I should be able to get around 30 miles without pedaling. At 20 mph, about 20 miles. At top speed of 38 mph, about 7 miles. This seems fine to me for starters since I live downtown and I could always add 2 more for a 50% increase of these numbers.
If I just wanted the top speed at the lightest configuration, I could just use 2 batteries equaling 5 pounds to get the same top speed.
I'm staying away from lead acid mainly because I hate to throw away batteries and the high weight. A friend of mine maintains golf carts and complains about how the batteries last less than a year with vigilant maintenance and much much less with less than vigilant maintenance. The phosphate bats last over 10 years and over 2000 cycles with no maintenance. This alone counteracts the higher initial investment. The weight of lead acid seems counterproductive on a bicycle. The 72V 16Ah lead acid pack must have weighed quite a bit.
I feel a little guilty building an electric bike being a avid biker for years. I'm getting older and the weather is getting much hotter with global warming and I'd prefer to ween myself of my car and eventually get rid of it. It was over 105 degrees heat index most of the last week here in Gainesville, FL. Unfortunately, I dread riding my bike in this heat. Electric I think would cure this problem for the most part.
Lots of love and thanks,
Rob
The batteries I spoke of are actually about $110 each. $440 price was for 4 of them. For 4 of them, that's 72V 4.6Ah 330 Wh and as low as 8 pounds. Not a lot, but I'm trying to build the lightest high power bike possible. I assume I'll be using it mostly in the 15-20 mph range most of the time and the higher range for thrills. At 15 mph, I should be able to get around 30 miles without pedaling. At 20 mph, about 20 miles. At top speed of 38 mph, about 7 miles. This seems fine to me for starters since I live downtown and I could always add 2 more for a 50% increase of these numbers.
If I just wanted the top speed at the lightest configuration, I could just use 2 batteries equaling 5 pounds to get the same top speed.
I'm staying away from lead acid mainly because I hate to throw away batteries and the high weight. A friend of mine maintains golf carts and complains about how the batteries last less than a year with vigilant maintenance and much much less with less than vigilant maintenance. The phosphate bats last over 10 years and over 2000 cycles with no maintenance. This alone counteracts the higher initial investment. The weight of lead acid seems counterproductive on a bicycle. The 72V 16Ah lead acid pack must have weighed quite a bit.
I feel a little guilty building an electric bike being a avid biker for years. I'm getting older and the weather is getting much hotter with global warming and I'd prefer to ween myself of my car and eventually get rid of it. It was over 105 degrees heat index most of the last week here in Gainesville, FL. Unfortunately, I dread riding my bike in this heat. Electric I think would cure this problem for the most part.
Lots of love and thanks,
Rob
Last edited by a moderator:
Cool, Rob. keep us informed of your progreds.
