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Back in the Saddle again!!!!!!! | 18 comments (18 topical, editorial)

Re: Bicycle Genny? (3.00 / 0) (#16)
by snowcrow on Fri Jul 11th, 2008 at 07:21:18 PM MST
(User Info)

Zap, The "Ping Pack" is what a lot of the guys are using, and the price isn't all that bad! http://stores.ebay.com/PingBattery

The Motobecane sounds like the one I had 30 years ago, back when I was crazy enough to try that 60mph stunt. If you have lots of smooth blacktop where you are, I'd put an e-hub on that Motobecane. Its light weight and should go down the road like a rocket!!

I'm not really looking to build a speed bike myself, just a second option!! This project is my plan "B", just in case plan "A" goes the hell in a hand basket!!!

I'll post a "before" n "after" and range, etc.

Blessings, Snow Crow

[ Parent ]

Re: Bicycle Genny? (3.00 / 0) (#17)
by zap (bell47g5a at comcast dot net) on Fri Jul 11th, 2008 at 10:09:44 PM MST
(User Info)

Yeah I've read quite a bit on the Ping Packs and he sure seems to get a lot of praise for them.

My thinking seems to fall inline with you... my days of 'speed' are mostly behind me. It would be nice to know you had a bike that would do 30 or 35mph when you needed it but I'm happy to putz along at a slower pace.
I live in the Denver metro area and it's a very 'bike friendly' place. Many dedicated paths and lots of marked bike lanes. I'm not so sure but I think the assisted trailer might even be a loophole when it comes to motorized vehicles on the dedicated paths.(just thinking ahead of possible problems)
I did 20 miles today and about only 3 of those miles were on surface streets and about half of the 3 was on big sidewalks.

On a side note: The ride was to an open house at a tool supply company with many big tool companies represented. I got to pick the brain of a DeWALT guy. He was pretty informed on the Li side of things and knew quite a bit about A123. It was funny because he even admitted that DeWALT is way over priced.

The new battery technologies are getting very interesting.

zap
[ Parent ]

Re: Bicycle Genny? (3.00 / 0) (#18)
by snowcrow on Sat Jul 12th, 2008 at 07:58:29 AM MST
(User Info)

I don't think "Johnny Law" will give you any trouble, as long as you don't get throttle happy!!

By federal law, a max. top speed of 20mph is what defines it as a bicycle, instead of a motorcycle.

I'm not sure what the Denver laws allow at present, but I'm sure changes are being made to accommodate e-bike commuters, if the "powers that be", plan on being re-elected!!

People using the A123 packs have been happy at first, but as time pasted, the range begins to drop off sharply. I think it has to do with cell size and construction, not sure? I'm still doing research on the best battery for my needs!

Yeah, the new battery technologies are getting very interesting!!! The new "Battery Management System" (BMS) that Li battery packs require to keep the cells from going "Chernobyl" is a little scary if you ask me!!!

Using Li battery packs without BMS may result in a catastrophic failure, better known as a "Runaway Thermal Event"!!

Li cells are thermally unstable do to the material the separator plates in the cells are made of. Excessive heat caused by either over discharging or charging a Li cell will cause this separator plate to fail, thus, turning your battery pack and your bike into a BIG 4th of July sparkler (:[ The BMS is just a glorified band-aid that makes Li cells safe enough to use in EV applications, just my opinion.

Yes, I am having second thoughts about building my own Li pack!

Blessings, Snow Crow

[ Parent ]

Back in the Saddle again!!!!!!! | 18 comments (18 topical, 0 editorial)

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