Electric Bike Schwinn I-zip. 2008 - Page 2

TEXX · #21 (**permalink**) 06-08-2010, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainbiker

Texx,

I don't see torque arms on that Bionix front hub motor. That gentleman is running a risk of his fork drop outs breaking and the front wheel falling off the bike, especially if that front suspension fork is aluminum. He really needs torque arms.

go4it is right about the Thundersky cells being too large for your OEM packs. Your packs look bigger in your photos. The dimensions of the individual Thundersky 20AH cells is 75mm x 180mm x 168mm or 2.952" x 7.0866" x 6.614." To build a 24V 20AH battery pack, you need 8 cells. It's too bad. I like the looks of your OEM packs. You could build a slightly wider and longer pack to fit where your supplemental battery is mounted. Having one 20AH LIFEPO4 pack coupled with a 14AH SLA would be a decent option.

mountainbike.
I hold your suggestion for the 20 AH LiFePO4. I think this will be the best direction to follow ..:-)

For BIONX, maybe I'll cross the gentleman on the bike path, and I will make him the message.
I find this little thing on the internet, I will show him.

Its torque arm, can be installed from, other side ?

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TEXX · #22 (**permalink**) 06-09-2010, 08:21 AM

Hello ..

I was looking for a long time, a luggage rack, which would be good with my SCHWINN, and I find it ..

It comes from an electric bicycle brand, EASY-GO, which I buy for my wife but I have since sold.

This bike had only one speed, and she did not like it.
Later, I'll give him a BIONX, with 21 speed.

So, before the sale, I keep the rack, saddle (which is already installed), and a small trunk, which will install a little later (painting).

This rack was really necessary, for long trips with luggage.

eldrijt · #23 (**permalink**) 06-09-2010, 10:36 AM

Great pics of Quebec! Looks like a great place to live and ride.

Jim

mountainbiker · #24 (**permalink**) 06-09-2010, 11:39 AM

Texx,

You have a great looking bike. As I began riding my bike much more after adding the Currie conversion kit, I began modifications to make it more of a cargo/ulity bike. I've added a front rack to be able to haul more (I've got a wooden basket that fits it perfectly and also small panniers that I can attach as well.) Like you, I added fenders (love my fenders). I added a bipod kickstand. I also added home-brewed LED turn signals using LED strobes. My first version for the turn signals are wired. However, I'm planning on building a second e-bike using a step through frame and I'm in the planning stages on how to build self-contained handlebar-mounted LED turn signals. I think I've found most of the parts I'll need for housing and I'll use the same brand of LED strobes. (I'm too cheap to pay for the commercial version of bicycle turn signals out there like the Winnkus from the UK--they're over $100 USD when you add shipping.)

Thanks for posting the pictures. I really do like your bike and it's clearly well used and loved.

TEXX · #25 (**permalink**) 06-09-2010, 01:47 PM

Mountainbiker .. Thank you for the compliments.

I did my best to bring him some improvements, without spending too much money.

I still have to install a small box (on the rack), and which will very easily removable.

I will also extend its stand as the bike leans a little too much on the side, and with the second battery, the weight is higher, and I do not want him to fall, its inclination will be smaller. I have some pictures later ..
(Maybe a stand like yours)

------------------------------------------------------------

Mountainbiker ..
You have done good work on your bike.

He is well prepared for the long winding road through the mountains.

Your bags are useful, and they cover very well your battery.

Your bike, deserves some attention here.

All these good ideas will be listed in my computer.

I continued to study this great forum.

GREAT BIKE...

TEXX · #26 (**permalink**) 06-09-2010, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eldrijt

Great pics of Quebec! Looks like a great place to live and ride.

Jim

eldrijt ....

Thank you for your comments. They are appreciated.

It is true that this city is beautiful and welcoming.

The wilderness is not very far, and we take advantage (on bike) ..Thank

TEXX · #27 (**permalink**) 06-10-2010, 08:48 AM

Hello ..
I show you the parts of my second SCHWINN. It is almost complete.

I keep them in case a failure occurs.

$ 200.00 for the complete bike, was a very good bargain for me.

At the store was selling this SCHWINN $ 499.99.

Initially, I wanted a second battery ( $129.99 at the store ), and this offer is to arrive at the right time, so I'm not complaining.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows....jsp?locale=en

Thank you for visiting.z44:

go4it · #28 (**permalink**) 06-11-2010, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEXX

Hello.. go4it ..

My motor is a 450 w..

My knowledge of electricity are not very good, tell me your idea.

To always have a total of 24 volts. Surely not in series .. Thank

I was only saying to connect the 2 packs together because this does extend the life of the packs and the distance you can travel. Of course I was speaking parallel wiring the packs together. This would give you a 24v 24ah pack. The value is less voltage sag and allows you to run then a little deeper then you normally would. Consider this; lets say you take a long ride in your current setup. You ride until you notice a lose in power and switch to the fresh pack. We all know the low pack shoud go on charge ASAP after use but your still riding so it can be chaged. You need to wait until your ride is over and you return home. But when both packs are wired together in parallel this is not as great a problem and the packs live longer. I have some old SLA 24v 20ah packs that are 4 years old and still going strong. But I prefer my Thunder Sky packs hands down.

You would have to do a lot of configuring to mount a 24v 20ah pack in the "V" area of that bike. You could of course mount it on the back over or next to the rear tire like EZip does. My old bike has the packs mounted to the sides of the top bar and my Ezip has them mounted on the rear tire. Given a chose I totally prefer them mounted to the top bar. The biggest problem I have with riding my EZip is all the weight on the rear wheel makes the bike unstable in my opinion.

TEXX · #29 (**permalink**) 06-11-2010, 07:25 PM

go4it ..
Thanks for the explanation.

1- If I install my 4 battery in parallel, I keep 24 volts and 28 Ah (my battery has 14 ah each). The 28 ah is it ok for my controller ?

2- How to install my 2 battery in parallel, and let each in their place.
Can you give me a quick shema ?

Excuse my lack of knowledge of electricity. Thank.

PS ..
My two battery should they be equal in power (wear) so that your system works well.
If either battery is lower than the other, is there a problem ?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
A little drawing

of my setup, and I placed my second wire-spare, a top, for the parallel installation (if needed)

Thank you for your help.

TEXX · #30 (**permalink**) 06-12-2010, 06:53 AM

Hello friends ..

I continued to do some small designs ..

This is my last. Can we do it like this ?

In this way, both my battery would remain in their place.

This way is feasible?

In this way, my two charger, could work at the same time?

Thank for your help .

go4it · #31 (**permalink**) 06-12-2010, 10:15 AM

If I understand your current setup you have 2 14ah packs but only 1 plug that you transfer from pack #1 to pack #2 when pack #1 starts to sag. Is this correct? If you can install a second plug as indicated in your last drawing but instead of wiring from pack to pack run the wires directly to the controller the same as the original (Duplicate your current setup). Just before connecting to the controller jumper the positive wires from both packs together. I would recommend using a line fuse to make the jumper. You can buy them at most auto stores or anywhere they sell auto parts (Wallie World). The link is to show you what I am talking about but you should be able to buy them a lot cheaper. The one in the link is very heavy dute for what you need.

8 Gauge In Line Fuse Holder - eBay (item 260515505441 end time Jun-27-10 19:54:01 PDT)

I assum you have an on/off switch between your controller and battery pack. Correct? The jumper should be installed before any on/off switches. The second negitive wire can be wired the same way or directly to the motor if you like.

I was assuming that your packs were close to the same condition and age. If so it would be perfect. If not I'm not 100% sure how well this will work but I am guessing now as well as if they were perfectly matched but should still work.

The AHs value of your packs has no effect on the controller. Think of the battery voltage the same way you think of the octane of the gas you put in your car. Think of the AHs as the quantity of gas in your fuel tank. More fuel in your tan k will only let you drive longer but it doesn't have any other effect of value on your car or your bike.

eldrijt · #32 (**permalink**) 06-12-2010, 12:30 PM

Actually, I think his last drawing would work. And would be very very simple. But I wonder, as TEXX does, about connecting the batteries in parallel when they aren't holding the same voltage like if he charges the packs separately. For this reason, I'd charge with one charger using the parallel connections. This might take a long time but would ensure that the 2 packs are at the same voltage when finished charging. I do this with my Thunder Skys. Or at least use a volt meter on the 2 packs to ensure their voltages are similar before connecting in parallel.

I think the biggest advantage of doing this is having less voltage drop when climbing hills. I estimate that the 10Ah SLAs drop 3V when pushed hard, so 20Ah would drop 1.5V. So he'd get about 6% more climbing power. I may be underestimating the benefit. As for not draining the batteries too far, I bet he doesn't fully drain 28Ah very often so this is probably a secondary consideration. If this were the main reason, I'd just switch from pack to pack during the ride so no pack is depleted deeply, early in the ride.

Jim

TEXX · #33 (**permalink**) 06-12-2010, 02:26 PM

go4it .. eldrijt (jim)

Thank you for giving me your time and your answers fast.

1-Yes when a pack 1 is beginning to be poor, I transfer the cable on the pack 2

2-Each battery, has an on / off switch.

3-They also possess a safety fuse each.

4-OK for (28 ah). No danger.

I print your answers, and with, your good explanations, one of my friends will understand so much better, and it may perhaps guide me.

I can also seek advice from one who sells me my battery ALS.

With electricity, it must be very careful, and I will.

If possible, a little drawing of your ideas would have been appreciated, for better understanding.

Thank you again guys.

go4it · #34 (**permalink**) 06-12-2010, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eldrijt

Actually, I think his last drawing would work. And would be very very simple. But I wonder, as TEXX does, about connecting the batteries in parallel when they aren't holding the same voltage like if he charges the packs separately. For this reason, I'd charge with one charger using the parallel connections. This might take a long time but would ensure that the 2 packs are at the same voltage when finished charging. I do this with my Thunder Skys. Or at least use a volt meter on the 2 packs to ensure their voltages are similar before connecting in parallel.

I think the biggest advantage of doing this is having less voltage drop when climbing hills. I estimate that the 10Ah SLAs drop 3V when pushed hard, so 20Ah would drop 1.5V. So he'd get about 6% more climbing power. I may be underestimating the benefit. As for not draining the batteries too far, I bet he doesn't fully drain 28Ah very often so this is probably a secondary consideration. If this were the main reason, I'd just switch from pack to pack during the ride so no pack is depleted deeply, early in the ride.

EDIT: As for charging it really doesn't matter. If one pack has slightly higher voltage it will balance out in the first mile. Yes he could parallel charge the packs using one charger but I don't think it's worth the effort for him. Beside, he is having enough problem electrically and this would be one more problem with very limited value. I still charge my TS packs (2 24v 20ah) with the Currie OEM 24v chargers but I have also charged them as well as SLA packs using a 12v SLA charger in parallel. When charging with the 12v charge in parallel the TSs are exactly matched but not matched as individual cells witch is the same when using the 24v charger.

Jim

Jim, I don't disagree that his drawing would work but I question what the 3rd wire is. DC power only has a pos and neg (2 wires). Of course there are many ways to make the connection but I always prefer to keep things seporated even though they are connected. Seeing his last post showing the switches on the packs I deffinently would connect they at the controller but get rid of the fuse I recommended. In this manner they are connected if he wants them to be but for any reason he can still turn one or the other off (say if one pack has a short).

All batteries including Thunder Skys which I also use will live longer the less you drain them. So all your comments are 100% correct but the biggest value in my opinion is the pack life improvement because they are not going to be drained as low. Lets face it when using one pack at a time the tendency is to ride until we fell the pack is pooping out. Then we switch over and the pooped pack has to wait to be charged until the end.

go4it · #35 (**permalink**) 06-12-2010, 04:55 PM

I can also seek advice from one who sells me my battery ALS.

With electricity, it must be very careful, and I will.

If possible, a little drawing of your ideas would have been appreciated, for better understanding.

Thank you again guys.

[/QUOTE]

Texx, Don't over think this. Believe me I do understand your situation with working with the electrics of the bike. But this is simple to do and because you already have a switch and fuse on each pack it is very simple. Just buy a new plug and wire. Connect the second plug exactly the same as the first plug and your done. When you ride you simply plug in both packs. You can still use 1 pack at a time if you choose or both packs together.

TEXX · #36 (**permalink**) 06-12-2010, 05:52 PM

go4it ..

I made a big mistake on the number of wire. I saw my spare wire, and there are only (((2)))

I apologize for this error on my part .. I should have look closer ..

##############################################

PS ..
I must insert my (spare wire with plug) in my second battery, and go bring the other end of the (spare wire) in the control box ..

My two wire would, as a Y ... RED to RED ... and ... BLACK to BLACK .. moving towards the control box.

I have 2 charger for these, 2 battery.

Tell me if I'm wrong.

My spare-wire ..

########################################################
Another small question

1 - Install in parallel, both battery will they be discharged at the same time?

It should not be a battery is completely empty before the other.

They tell us not to empty completely.

Currently, I change the battery when the first begins to weaken.

2 - How do I know that one of these two battery begins to weaken ,if the battery is installed in parallel ?

I need two battery exactly the same wear. 100/100 is OK
or 75/100% of power IS OK too.?

Is there any problem to matter ? ?

TEXX · #37 (**permalink**) 06-14-2010, 06:55 AM

Hello ...

The painting of my little box (removable), is now complete.

He retained no two small ear-nut, bolt from the inside.

Very useful for carrying a few items, on long trips.

Small mirror handlebar

Here are some pictures of my SCHWINN.

go4it · #38 (**permalink**) 06-14-2010, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEXX

go4it ..

I made a big mistake on the number of wire. I saw my spare wire, and there are only (((2)))

I apologize for this error on my part .. I should have look closer ..

##############################################

PS ..
I must insert my (spare wire with plug) in my second battery, and go bring the other end of the (spare wire) in the control box ..

My two wire would, as a Y ... RED to RED ... and ... BLACK to BLACK .. moving towards the control box.

I have 2 charger for these, 2 battery.

Tell me if I'm wrong.

My spare-wire ..

########################################################
Another small question

1 - Install in parallel, both battery will they be discharged at the same time?

It should not be a battery is completely empty before the other.

They tell us not to empty completely.

Currently, I change the battery when the first begins to weaken.

2 - How do I know that one of these two battery begins to weaken ,if the battery is installed in parallel ?

I need two battery exactly the same wear. 100/100 is OK
or 75/100% of power IS OK too.?

Is there any problem to matter ? ?

It looks like you have everything correct now for when you are riding. As for charging........how and where do you plug in the chargers? Do you remove the plug that is connected between the battery and the controller and then plug in the charger to the battery with a new plug? This is what I would consider the normal way to charge (not connected to the controller). If this is the way you charge you are still using both chargers as you did before so nothing has changed for charging. I would not worry about so much about the age of the batteries. I am guessing that once you have everything setup it will all be fine. If one pack is a little older and more worn the newer pack will give a little more power until it's power matches the older pack. But it weill not harm ether pack.

TEXX · #39 (**permalink**) 06-14-2010, 05:43 PM

go4it ..

To charge the battery, I have two charger ..

I removed the two wire on the battery, and I insert the two chargers directly on two battery , which become completely independent of the controller.

I remove the 2 wires that goes to the controller

I put my 2 Charger ... one on each battery .

I can connect my two wire in (Y) as in the picture ?
And I'll be in parallel .

There is nothing, to do ?

###########################################

go4it .. Thank you for all your good advice, and be sure the work is done.

go4it · #40 (**permalink**) 06-14-2010, 06:53 PM

I can connect my two wire in (Y) as in the picture ?
And I'll be in parallel .

There is nothing, to do ?

###########################################

go4it .. Thank you for all your good advice, and be sure the work is done.[/QUOTE]

It looks like you have everything perfect. You can do all the connections the way you have it drawn and it should work perfectly. Remember the bigest value to this setup is a reduction of voltage sag when under load.

This modification will not effect your charging.

Glad to help and I hope your wife enjoys her new bike.