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The eBike thread

24567…38

Comments

  • #52
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 21,179 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    One word of caution, if running power and going over 25 mph a lot you will need to upgrade the brakes and hydraulic brakes are essential.

    All I did was upgrade the disks to 8 inch front and rear with adaptors and the difference in stopping power was simply amazing, keep this in mind !


  • #53
    unkel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 65,708 ✭✭✭✭unkel
    Chauffe, Marcel, chauffe!


    Deleted User wrote: »
    You're talking around 1 K or more if customs get you, they never did get me from em3ev but then again that was several years ago.

    You could spend 500 euro's on a kit that is not so good but the choice is yours, the BBSHD would be better than many electric bikes sold that cost thousands more.

    I wasn't planning to spend anywhere near €500, preferably well less than half that :p

    I guess I will go 24V and 250W front hub motor so. As per my usual policy, if I buy really cheap, and I don't like them or want rid, I will have no problem selling the parts on again on adverts for close to what I payed for them, sometimes even for more.

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  • #54
    xckjoo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,397 ✭✭✭xckjoo


    unkel wrote: »
    I wasn't planning to spend anywhere near €500, preferably well less than half that :p

    I guess I will go 24V and 250W front hub motor so. As per my usual policy, if I buy really cheap, and I don't like them or want rid, I will have no problem selling the parts on again on adverts for close to what I payed for them, sometimes even for more.


    I'd go for a higher powered hub motor and set the controller to 25kmph cut-off. As Mad_Lad said, the motor would struggle to get to 25kmph with only 250W power to play with. Think mine is rated to 500W. You also might struggle a bit to get it at that price unless battery prices have come down. Mine was roughly €300 for the kit and €300 for the battery. I moved the battery from my original bike to my new one. It's paid for itself multiple times over at this stage. This is who I ordered from (slightly different stuff in my kit). It's configured to go on EU roads so no tinkering with the programming controllers, etc. You'll get cheaper stuff from China or the US, but you'll gamble on getting caught for VAT. There's also a Spanish site that's pretty cheap, and a few UK sites that can vary. I'll try and dig up the links later. endless-sphere is the place to go for technical know-how


  • #55
    unkel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 65,708 ✭✭✭✭unkel
    Chauffe, Marcel, chauffe!


    Well from my link, it showed a 4Ah 36V battery for $29. Two of these would be enough for a 1000W motor :)

    That site doesn't ship outside the US though and I can't find these batteries anywhere near that price from other sites, but still wouldn't be too hard to get them for around €100

    Then €150 for the kit for a total of €250. Hoping to do better than that, but that's my target. A 250W kit and 24V battery I would aim for under €200 in total. All of these including shipping, but not taking into account being hit by customs.

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  • #56
    xckjoo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,397 ✭✭✭xckjoo


    Deleted User wrote: »
    One word of caution, if running power and going over 25 mph a lot you will need to upgrade the brakes and hydraulic brakes are essential.

    All I did was upgrade the disks to 8 inch front and rear with adaptors and the difference in stopping power was simply amazing, keep this in mind !


    On the brakes issue, I'd agree that disk brakes are probably needed for speeds >25kmph. I'm using the old school cantilever ones and have had mixed experiences. On my original conversion, I was burning through them constantly. On the new conversion they've been holding up well and I've only changed them a few times. I must have had something off on the first one that was causing them to be worn through too fast. Maybe my brake sensor wasn't working fully and the motor wasn't cutting out fast enough when I pulled the brakes.

    Anyway, cantilever style brakes will work fine on a 25kmph hub motor but for gods sake keep an eye on them at watch out for wear. I keep a few spares at home for quick changes as necessary. Some conversion kits aren't compatible with disk brakes so check before purchasing.


  • #57
    unkel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 65,708 ✭✭✭✭unkel
    Chauffe, Marcel, chauffe!


    I've no need to go over 25km/h. So that means that with any standard kit, as long as I put in a minimum effort on the pedals, the motor will come on and I can apply max throttle to get me up to my required speed (typically about 20-25km/h I would imagine)?

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  • #58
    xckjoo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,397 ✭✭✭xckjoo


    unkel wrote: »
    I've no need to go over 25km/h. So that means that with any standard kit, as long as I put in a minimum effort on the pedals, the motor will come on and I can apply max throttle to get me up to my required speed (typically about 20-25km/h I would imagine)?
    Not sure to be honest. I'd personally worry about running the motor at max power so much, but not an expert on electric motors. I guess it would just ramp up to 250W output straight away and stay at that until you get it up to 25kmph with pedal power and then cut out. I'll try and keep an eye on the power output on the way home to get a better idea.

    If you could find a slightly higher powered motor for a little bit extra I'd go for that, but I understand the challenge of keeping things bare-boned being part of the fun.


  • #59
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    Talking of bare boned I like the idea of the Gtech e bike, single speed, simple frame, no gears, belt drive.

    https://www.gtech.co.uk/ebikes/ebike-sport.html

    Be nice to do something similar.


  • #60
    Henry Ford III
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 17,752 Mod ✭✭✭✭Henry Ford III


    Interesting.

    https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/escooters-seized-as-gardai-warn-riders-to-stay-off-streets-38330934.html

    .......The Garda spokesman said: "The Road Traffic Act defines a mechanically propelled vehicle as a vehicle intended or adapted for propulsion by mechanical means.

    "It also includes a vehicle the means of propulsion of which is electrical, or partly electrical and partly mechanical. Whether or not a vehicle requires a push-start is legally irrelevant.

    "E-scooters and powered skateboards fall into this category, and are therefore considered to be mechanically propelled vehicles. Any users of such vehicles in a public place must have insurance, road tax and a driving licence, with penalties under road traffic laws, including fixed charge notices, penalty points, fines and possible seizure of the vehicle."

    The spokesman added: "As it is currently not possible to tax or insure e-scooters or electric skateboards, they are not considered suitable for use in a public place. There is no anomaly within the law."

    What are your views on this?


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  • #61
    xckjoo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,397 ✭✭✭xckjoo


    Henry Ford III wrote: »
    Interesting.

    https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/escooters-seized-as-gardai-warn-riders-to-stay-off-streets-38330934.html

    .......The Garda spokesman said: "The Road Traffic Act defines a mechanically propelled vehicle as a vehicle intended or adapted for propulsion by mechanical means.

    "It also includes a vehicle the means of propulsion of which is electrical, or partly electrical and partly mechanical. Whether or not a vehicle requires a push-start is legally irrelevant.

    "E-scooters and powered skateboards fall into this category, and are therefore considered to be mechanically propelled vehicles. Any users of such vehicles in a public place must have insurance, road tax and a driving licence, with penalties under road traffic laws, including fixed charge notices, penalty points, fines and possible seizure of the vehicle."

    The spokesman added: "As it is currently not possible to tax or insure e-scooters or electric skateboards, they are not considered suitable for use in a public place. There is no anomaly within the law."

    What are your views on this?


    So just to clarify, this doesn't refer to "ebikes" (or pedelecs as I believe they're called) because they require the operator to pedal to move it. If it doesn't have a PAS (pedal sensor) and works off a throttle, it wouldn't be a pedelec and wouldn't be road legal (leaving aside the other requirements for now).
    I'm in two minds about if e-scooters and the like should be 1) allowed and 2) taxed and insured. On the one hand they look like a great way to get around, but on the other hand people will use them badly and are causing issues in all the major cities they've become popular in. There isn't really a place they fit in on our current transport infrastructure. They probably shouldn't be on footpaths because that's for people walking and they don't need to constantly watch out for idiots on scooters. Maybe they would be okay on roads and cycle lanes, but cars and squishy people are not a safe mix. I guess ideally we'd have a different road infrastructure and they'd fit in better, but at the moment everything is built around the car.

    Not sure about tax and insurance either. They should serve to increase peoples ability to commute without a car (desirable to society) but they don'really come with the increase in exercise and health benefits that a bike brings, and the batteries have a significant environmental impact associated. I guess I wouldn't be mad if they brought in tax and insurance requirements but maybe I'm bike biased :D. I still don't see how they can safely fit in to our current transport infrastructure but that doesn't always seem to be a requirement in this country :pac:


  • #62
    Lumen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 31,137 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    Small EVs like scooters and e-bikes are unarguably great.

    Every car and bus off the road improves the environment for cyclists, pedestrians and the users of these electric things too.

    But like recreational drugs, we just haven't figured out as a society how to think about and regulate them. Cars = alcohol. e-scooters and e-bikes = weed/vaping. Bicycles and walking = teetotal veganism. We all know it'd be better, but not all of us have quite got there yet. :pac:


  • #63
    Henry Ford III
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 17,752 Mod ✭✭✭✭Henry Ford III


    xckjoo wrote: »
    So just to clarify, this doesn't refer to "ebikes" (or pedelecs as I believe they're called) because they require the operator to pedal to move it. If it doesn't have a PAS (pedal sensor) and works off a throttle, it wouldn't be a pedelec and wouldn't be road legal (leaving aside the other requirements for now).
    I'm in two minds about if e-scooters and the like should be 1) allowed and 2) taxed and insured. On the one hand they look like a great way to get around, but on the other hand people will use them badly and are causing issues in all the major cities they've become popular in. There isn't really a place they fit in on our current transport infrastructure. They probably shouldn't be on footpaths because that's for people walking and they don't need to constantly watch out for idiots on scooters. Maybe they would be okay on roads and cycle lanes, but cars and squishy people are not a safe mix. I guess ideally we'd have a different road infrastructure and they'd fit in better, but at the moment everything is built around the car.

    Not sure about tax and insurance either. They should serve to increase peoples ability to commute without a car (desirable to society) but they don'really come with the increase in exercise and health benefits that a bike brings, and the batteries have a significant environmental impact associated. I guess I wouldn't be mad if they brought in tax and insurance requirements but maybe I'm bike biased :D. I still don't see how they can safely fit in to our current transport infrastructure but that doesn't always seem to be a requirement in this country :pac:

    I think it refers to anything partially or fully mechanically powered, including pedelecs.


  • #64
    xckjoo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,397 ✭✭✭xckjoo


    Henry Ford III wrote: »
    I think it refers to anything partially or fully mechanically powered, including pedelecs.
    Don't think so. AFAIK we are still using the general EU law which is the following (I think)
    Article 1 (h) of Directive 2002/24/EC relating to the type-approval of two or three-wheel motor vehicles legislation stipulates that the Directive does not apply to: “cycles with pedal assistance which are equipped with an auxiliary electric motor having a maximum continuous rated power of 0.25 kW, of which the output is progressively reduced and finally cut off as the vehicle reaches a speed of 25 km/h, or sooner, if the cyclist stops pedalling”. As a result of this exclusion, member states classify these vehicles as bicycles.
    Notice in the article you quote that they mention the "push-start" making no difference. The main argument that e-scooters are legal seems to be that a push to start requirement satisfies this pedal assistance requirement. AFAIK we've no specific law related to any of these vehicles in Ireland.


  • #65
    unkel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 65,708 ✭✭✭✭unkel
    Chauffe, Marcel, chauffe!


    xckjoo wrote: »
    the batteries have a significant environmental impact associated.

    There you are wrong. The lithium in fairly large battery packs is valuable, nobody is going to throw these away. Lithium can be endlessly recycled.

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  • #66
    xckjoo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,397 ✭✭✭xckjoo


    unkel wrote: »
    There you are wrong. The lithium in fairly large battery packs is valuable, nobody is going to throw these away. Lithium can be endlessly recycled.
    Even assuming 100% reclamation and reuse of the lithium and ignoring the initial cost of mining it, there's a non-negligible impact in the creation of the battery from the raw materials. This will probably improve over time and is still better than needing to continuously mine and burn fossil fuels, but it has a much higher environmental cost than a standard push scooter or skateboard.

    http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/projects/lbnp/final-li-ion-battery-lca-report.pdf


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  • #67
    Henry Ford III
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 17,752 Mod ✭✭✭✭Henry Ford III


    xckjoo wrote: »
    Don't think so. AFAIK we are still using the general EU law which is the following (I think)

    Notice in the article you quote that they mention the "push-start" making no difference. The main argument that e-scooters are legal seems to be that a push to start requirement satisfies this pedal assistance requirement. AFAIK we've no specific law related to any of these vehicles in Ireland.

    The RTA would apply in that case. That seems to be the view of the Gardai too.

    The RTA simply mentions any mechanically propelled vehicle and all these variations of e bikes etc. would come under that definition.

    That being the case a helmet, license, road tax and insurance are all required.


  • #68
    xckjoo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,397 ✭✭✭xckjoo


    Henry Ford III wrote: »
    The RTA would apply in that case. That seems to be the view of the Gardai too.

    The RTA simply mentions any mechanically propelled vehicle and all these variations of e bikes etc. would come under that definition.

    That being the case a helmet, license, road tax and insurance are all required.
    :confused: You don't need any of those things for a bike.


  • #69
    Henry Ford III
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 17,752 Mod ✭✭✭✭Henry Ford III


    xckjoo wrote: »
    :confused: You don't need any of those things for a bike.

    A push bike isn't "mechanically propelled".


  • #70
    xckjoo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,397 ✭✭✭xckjoo


    Henry Ford III wrote: »
    A push bike isn't "mechanically propelled".
    Neither is a pedelec. I posted the EU directive they fall under above. They're effectively push bikes as long as they follow the restrictions listed in the directive. There's no ambiguity about this


  • #71
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    Henry Ford III wrote: »
    Interesting.

    https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/escooters-seized-as-gardai-warn-riders-to-stay-off-streets-38330934.html

    .......The Garda spokesman said: "The Road Traffic Act defines a mechanically propelled vehicle as a vehicle intended or adapted for propulsion by mechanical means.

    "It also includes a vehicle the means of propulsion of which is electrical, or partly electrical and partly mechanical. Whether or not a vehicle requires a push-start is legally irrelevant.

    "E-scooters and powered skateboards fall into this category, and are therefore considered to be mechanically propelled vehicles. Any users of such vehicles in a public place must have insurance, road tax and a driving licence, with penalties under road traffic laws, including fixed charge notices, penalty points, fines and possible seizure of the vehicle."

    The spokesman added: "As it is currently not possible to tax or insure e-scooters or electric skateboards, they are not considered suitable for use in a public place. There is no anomaly within the law."

    What are your views on this?

    Why are shoving this stuff about scooters and skateboards in this thread.

    There is an existing thread that has discussed and argued this stuff to death.

    https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057872702&page=96


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  • #72
    Henry Ford III
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 17,752 Mod ✭✭✭✭Henry Ford III


    xckjoo wrote: »
    Neither is a pedelec. I posted the EU directive they fall under above. They're effectively push bikes as long as they follow the restrictions listed in the directive. There's no ambiguity about this

    The Gardai think they are though.

    As I said the view is that the RTA applies, and I can't see how an EU Directive can superceed local laws.


  • #73
    xckjoo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,397 ✭✭✭xckjoo


    Henry Ford III wrote: »
    The Gardai think they are though.

    As I said the view is that the RTA applies, and I can't see how an EU Directive can superceed local laws.
    No they don't. You're interpreting the article incorrectly and the Gardai don't make the law. RTA does indeed apply in the same way as it applies to a standard bicycle.


  • #74
    Henry Ford III
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 17,752 Mod ✭✭✭✭Henry Ford III


    xckjoo wrote: »
    No they don't. You're interpreting the article incorrectly and the Gardai don't make the law. RTA does indeed apply in the same way as it applies to a standard bicycle.

    Nope. The Gardai enforce the law. They have seized e bikes of various sorts. Prosecutions are impending. Let the courts decide.

    https://www.rsa.ie/Documents/VS_Information_Notes/Two_Three_Wheeled_Vehicles/FAQs%20on%20E%20Bikes%20and%20Pedelecs%20and%20battery%20Scooters.pdf

    That's a bit confusing too.


  • #75
    Henry Ford III
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 17,752 Mod ✭✭✭✭Henry Ford III


    http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1961/act/24/section/3/enacted/en/html

    That's the section of the RTA 1961 defining a MPV.

    Can anyone explain how that wouldn't apply to all e bikes and pedelcs? The full/ part time power doesn't seem to be relevant.


  • #76
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    Henry Ford III wrote: »
    ....I can't see how an EU Directive can superceed local laws.

    http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2015/si/614/made/en/print

    https://publications.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/22b190d5-6c62-423a-bab1-9a2c20fbe14a/language-en

    Article 1 (h) ... “cycles with pedal assistance
    which are equipped with an auxiliary electric motor having a maximum continuous rated power of
    0.25 kW, of which the output is progressively reduced and finally cut off as the vehicle reaches a
    speed of 25 km/h, or sooner, if the cyclist stops pedalling”. As a result of this exclusion, member
    states should classify these vehicles as bicycles.

    Basically this is bicycle.


  • #77
    Henry Ford III
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 17,752 Mod ✭✭✭✭Henry Ford III


    beauf wrote: »
    http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2015/si/614/made/en/print

    https://publications.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/22b190d5-6c62-423a-bab1-9a2c20fbe14a/language-en




    Basically this is bicycle.

    Now I have ya, thanks. So limited pedelecs are essentially treated the same as push bikes.

    But bigger powered e bikes and electric skateboards are subject to RTA?


  • #78
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    Henry Ford III wrote: »
    Nope. The Gardai enforce the law. They have seized e bikes of various sorts. Prosecutions are impending. Let the courts decide.

    https://www.rsa.ie/Documents/VS_Information_Notes/Two_Three_Wheeled_Vehicles/FAQs%20on%20E%20Bikes%20and%20Pedelecs%20and%20battery%20Scooters.pdf

    That's a bit confusing too.

    Don't rely on RSA information as Gospel.


  • #79
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    Henry Ford III wrote: »
    Now I have ya, thanks. So limited pedelecs are essentially treated the same as push bikes.

    But bigger powered e bikes and electric skateboards are subject to RTA?

    Yup.

    AFAIK other countries may have addition laws that permit other types of eBikes etc.


  • #80
    Henry Ford III
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 17,752 Mod ✭✭✭✭Henry Ford III


    beauf wrote: »
    Don't rely on RSA information as Gospel.

    I won't.


  • #81
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    hence the 2nd post in this thread....
    cojomo2 wrote: »
    Fyi, anything over 250w will not be road legal. It also needs to be setup in such a way that the motor only gives assistance while the user pedals and cuts out as soon as they stop.

    ...but as others said. How will anyone know if you use a motor with more power?

    ...especially if you cycle with due car and attention and within the limits. (whatever they are).


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  • #82
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    beauf wrote: »
    Yup.

    AFAIK other countries may have addition laws that permit other types of eBikes etc.


    For example...

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_bicycle_laws


  • #83
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 21,179 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Lads can we for once just keep this on topic related to the Joy of building an electric bike and not throw legalities, politics or environmental views.

    This is after all a hobby really and it's the joy of building something and getting away from computer screens that made it all the more fun for me, that and the sheer thrill of ebiking especially on the first kit !


  • #84
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 21,179 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    beauf wrote: »
    hence the 2nd post in this thread....



    ...but as others said. How will anyone know if you use a motor with more power?

    ...especially if you cycle with due car and attention and within the limits. (whatever they are).

    They don't , when ebikes get their EN15194 they are not tested for power only acceleration and top speed.

    Everyone knows a real 250 watt ebike is useless and the 250 watt is more of a guideline than anything.

    Bosch, Panasonic, Brose etc etc all run well above 250 watts.

    Power to the motor or power from the battery, there is no clear distinction......


  • #85
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 21,179 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    So Unkel, after all that , what is your frame of mind now ? lol


  • #86
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 21,179 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    This is the first gen Bosch Ebike motor. Notice the watts ? 750, yes that's right. Today they are probably pulling 1 Kw or more, but that's battery power.

    So , don't get too hung up on legalities !



  • #87
    Henry Ford III
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 17,752 Mod ✭✭✭✭Henry Ford III


    Deleted User wrote: »
    Lads can we for once just keep this on topic related to the Joy of building an electric bike and not throw legalities, politics or environmental views.

    This is after all a hobby really and it's the joy of building something and getting away from computer screens that made it all the more fun for me, that and the sheer thrill of ebiking especially on the first kit !

    I reckon the other issues are all highly relevant.


  • #88
    unkel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 65,708 ✭✭✭✭unkel
    Chauffe, Marcel, chauffe!


    Deleted User wrote: »
    So Unkel, after all that , what is your frame of mind now ? lol

    Still not sure, but for now I'm thinking of going 500W front hub with 24V or 36V pack. And no plans to accelerate max from idle (don't want fork to break) or ever go above 25km/h, so not attracting attention to myself. Be a good boy on a nearly 100% legal pedelec :D

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  • #89
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    You're ok to cycle above that speed.....

    When I see a lot of the expensive OEM ebikes I see proprietary batteries. I wonder what happens when that bike is say 4yrs old. Will you still be able to get that battery. For that reason I like the idea of a bike that has standard parts. That you can turn it back to a regular bike if required or change the motor and battery.


  • #90
    unkel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 65,708 ✭✭✭✭unkel
    Chauffe, Marcel, chauffe!


    beauf wrote: »
    You're ok to cycle above that speed.....

    On 100% leg power? No thanks :p

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  • #91
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 21,179 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Henry Ford III wrote: »
    I reckon the other issues are all highly relevant.

    Not really, the discussion isn't about legalities.


  • #92
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 21,179 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    unkel wrote: »
    Still not sure, but for now I'm thinking of going 500W front hub with 24V or 36V pack. And no plans to accelerate max from idle (don't want fork to break) or ever go above 25km/h, so not attracting attention to myself. Be a good boy on a nearly 100% legal pedelec :D

    You'll be hard pressed to find a 24 v controller but perhaps you might find something from China.

    Usually you'd find 24 v controllers designed for brushed DC motors using lead acid batteries back in the day.


  • #93
    unkel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 65,708 ✭✭✭✭unkel
    Chauffe, Marcel, chauffe!


    I thought they made most of them in 24/36/48 like this:

    Linky

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  • #94
    unkel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 65,708 ✭✭✭✭unkel
    Chauffe, Marcel, chauffe!


    I think this looks mighty tempting

    36V 500W kit GBP129

    Samsung 36V 4.4AH battery GBP39

    I have a 36V charger from my youngest daughter's play scooter

    All shipped from UK, so no customs to worry about. Including all shipment costs and Parcel Motel charges, we are talking EUR202. That pack can handle the full 500W at a 3c rating (13A) which it is rated for. Bit of a bargain pedelec, lads? :p

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  • #95
    Henry Ford III
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 17,752 Mod ✭✭✭✭Henry Ford III


    Deleted User wrote:
    Not really, the discussion isn't about legalities.


    Check the thread title.


  • #96
    unkel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 65,708 ✭✭✭✭unkel
    Chauffe, Marcel, chauffe!


    It's my thread and it most certainly is also about legalities. I wasn't aware of the details, but I think we have now established exactly what they are. A push bike with a max 250W motor that will only work when the bike is being pedaled and that cuts out completely when the speed reaches 25km/h. The EU has established that this is identical to a normal pushbike with no motor. Everything over this is technically not a push bike any more. So we do not need any further discussion about this in here unless what I state in this post is incorrect.

    I think I might go and order my 500W 250W kit now...

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  • #97
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    The legalities only apply to road/path use. On private land, or off road/path is different.


  • #98
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 21,179 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    unkel wrote: »
    I thought they made most of them in 24/36/48 like this:

    Linky

    I haven't seen one for 24 volts to be honest in a long time.

    Not even sure if the ones I used to get had 24 volts as an option.

    If you go the 24 volt route be sure that your motor will give any decent speed or torque at that voltage so make sure you use the ebikes.ca simulator I linked to earlier or you could find the power dying at 18 km/h for example.


  • #99
    unkel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 65,708 ✭✭✭✭unkel
    Chauffe, Marcel, chauffe!


    Deleted User wrote: »
    If you go the 24 volt route

    I won't. Check my above links from this evening. The 36V hover board batteries are so cheap now that they make a compelling choice. And if I really like it and find my range is too small, I'll just get another one and parallel it with an XT60 splitter for double the range.

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  • #100
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 21,179 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Henry Ford III wrote: »
    Check the thread title.

    It doesn't say, what's the legalities regarding electric bikes.......


  • #101
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 21,179 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    unkel wrote: »
    I think this looks mighty tempting

    36V 500W kit GBP129

    Samsung 36V 4.4AH battery GBP39

    I have a 36V charger from my youngest daughter's play scooter

    All shipped from UK, so no customs to worry about. Including all shipment costs and Parcel Motel charges, we are talking EUR202. That pack can handle the full 500W at a 3c rating (13A) which it is rated for. Bit of a bargain pedelec, lads? :p

    That looks identical to the first ebike kit i installed back in a bout 2009 ish, I ended running 5 Kw through it with Lipo and hacking the controller, jaysus that was fun ! :D

    Yeah sure nothing to loose if you don't want to pedal.

    Just be sure the batteries are not counterfeit, there's a lot on ebay, I see no battery specs ? Have they a bms ?

    If you can try find a geared hub, more efficient and more torque for the same power.


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