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Member EV Projects => Conversion Projects => Topic started by: ted.lowe on June 23, 2008, 01:39:12 PM

Title: Ted Lowe's homebrew lithium battery powered recumbent ebike
Post by: ted.lowe on June 23, 2008, 01:39:12 PM

i'm posting this article to document the official kickoff of this project.  These are my plans and some of the reasons behind them:

o ebike
-sometimes i need/want more than a bike (but less than an etruck) for transportation
--to go further in shorter amount of time
--too lazy to ride
--too tired to ride
-chance to learn advanced ev design/construction on a smaller cheaper scale
--metal fabrication and welding (aluminum, titanium, steel)
--composite fabrication (fiberglass, carbon fiber, plastic)
--controller and charger design (small scale power electronics in non-critical application)
--aerodynamics design
-power needs small enough to make capable of 100% solar power charging (off-board)

o homebrew because it will be cheaper, fun and be an excellent learning experience

o lithium batteries
- lighter
- high energy density
- 'affordable' at the ebike scale

o recumbent
- most aerodynamic bicycle style
- my aging body prefers reclining to sitting upright :-)


i expect to spend a couple of grand on this project but hope to have a very useful vehicle that will be at least one magnitude more efficient than my S-10 for moving me and some stuff from point A to point B.  Stay tuned...

Title: Re: Ted Lowe's homebrew lithium battery powered recumbent ebike
Post by: tracy.talley on June 24, 2008, 12:34:00 PM

You will enjoy it Ted.
These are my favorite rides.

Tracy

Title: Re: Ted Lowe's homebrew lithium battery powered recumbent ebike
Post by: ken.simmermon on June 27, 2008, 03:45:22 AM

Hi Ted, here is a Lion battery from digikey http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail?name=439-1028-ND

Title: Re: Ted Lowe's homebrew lithium battery powered recumbent ebike
Post by: ken.simmermon on June 27, 2008, 03:47:26 AM

sorry Ted that battery is not rechargeable