Extending the range of an electric bike...

[Paul Murphy]

Simon Brooke wrote:
> in message <[email protected]>, Paul
> Murphy ('[email protected]') wrote:
>
>> "Simon Brooke" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>> in message <[email protected]>,
>>> [email protected] ('[email protected]') wrote:
>>>
>> <snip thoughts on extending electric bike range>
>>>> Any comments? Ideas?
>>>
>>> Dump the battery and the motor, and you extend the range
>>> immediately. Next thing to dump is the overweight frame.
>>
>> I think Dave is looking for sensible ideas to meet his needs
>> (although the battery DC to DC inverter does sound extreme). Clearly
>> dumping those items you propose will leave him walking unless
>> replaced.
>
> He could always pedal. He would be /shocked/ how little effort it
> would take, on a good bike.

I agree - a winning idea in terms of extending the range (and trying to
maintain fitness at the same time).

 

[Stuart Millington]

On Fri, 13 Apr 2007 21:50:58 +0100, "Paul Murphy"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Certainly owners of such bikes run that risk and even more likely if they're
>involved in an accident, a lawyer acting for the other side might pounce on
>the bikes legality.

Certainly for bikes that look like this:
http://web.archive.org/web/20050208191040/www.superscootersuk.com/acatalog/Electric_Bikes.html
as that would be an obvious target ;-)

>If it's a more ready made solution you're after, I'd suggest contacting the
>manufacturer/distributor. DIY solutions usually don't have the same
>reliability or professional appearance. Alternatively some of the retailers
>who specialise in electric bikes may be able to help.

In general, a simple optical encoder, or magnetic equivalent to
prevent dirt from interfering, wired into a transformer and rectified
to a relay/"trany" should be very simple to insert into any control
system. Obviously, experience with and/or a qualification in,
electronics would help with building the system ;-)

As long as the bike already has the control systems in place to limit
the maximum speed, the "pedelec" implementation should be quite
simple. I guess the hardest type to do would be a "unit" in the style
of the Zap SX/DX where there is little, if any external wiring to tap
into.

Does anyone know if the Zap SX is any good? (For assisting commuting,
rather than as an alternative to pedaling.)