ElectricMotorcycleForum.com

Tech => Tech Help => Topic started by: DonTom on August 28, 2017, 06:33:19 AM

Title: A few tech questions
Post by: DonTom on August 28, 2017, 06:33:19 AM
There are a few things I would like to know about my new Zero Cycles (2017 DS ZF 6.5 & 2017 SR ZF 13 with Pwr tank).

1. Where does the low voltage (the 13.8VDC) come from?  I think I heard mention of a DC to DC converter, but I also see several wires leaving the battery on the very difficult to read small schematic that I got from the Unofficial Service Manual.

2. What are those extra wires from the battery (left side of battery on the small schematic) Is there more than just battery cells inside the battery?

3. Is it possible to get a better schematic diagram? 

4. Is there a way to get to the 13.8 VDC when the key is out? There are several reasons I want an always on low voltage lead. I even like the horn to work while the key is still in my pocket. And a much better horn, of course. The stock one is a joke. I even consider it dangerous, I can yell louder than that weak beep! IMO, the rest of the bike looks like it's very reasonable quality.

Thanks in advance for any tech info. anybody here can give on how these bikes work.

-Don- In very hot (>100°F)  Auburn, CA

Title: Re: A few tech questions
Post by: Doug S on August 28, 2017, 07:50:04 AM
There are a few things I would like to know about my new Zero Cycles (2017 DS ZF 6.5 & 2017 SR ZF 13 with Pwr tank).

1. Where does the low voltage (the 13.8VDC) come from?  I think I heard mention of a DC to DC converter, but I also see several wires leaving the battery on the very difficult to read small schematic that I got from the Unofficial Service Manual.

Yes, there is a DC-DC converter. You should be able to easily find it with the search utility. It's a Sevcon unit.

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2. What are those extra wires from the battery (left side of battery on the small schematic) Is there more than just battery cells inside the battery?

Not sure which wires you're talking about, but yes, there's a BMS (Battery Management System) inside the battery modules as well as the cells themselves. Search for "BMS".

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3. Is it possible to get a better schematic diagram?

Sure, as soon as you create it. In the meantime, you might want to thank Burton for his time and energy running down every single wire and connection on his bike. It's not as simple a task as you might think.

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4. Is there a way to get to the 13.8 VDC when the key is out? There are several reasons I want an always on low voltage lead. I even like the horn to work while the key is still in my pocket. And a much better horn, of course. The stock one is a joke. I even consider it dangerous, I can yell louder than that weak beep! IMO, the rest of the bike looks like it's very reasonable quality.

Horns and always-on power have been discussed extensively. Please use the search utility to find those threads.
Title: Re: A few tech questions
Post by: DonTom on August 28, 2017, 09:41:05 AM
Sure, as soon as you create it. In the meantime, you might want to thank Burton for his time and energy running down every single wire and connection on his bike. It's not as simple a task as you might think.
I meant larger. The only problem I have is it's too small to see much detail. And I am too new here to even know who Burton is. But what makes you think that I would think making such a schematic would be easy? I would expect it to take months of hard work to trace out the entire bike.

But thanks for the info.

-Don- Auburn, CA




Title: Re: A few tech questions
Post by: DonTom on August 29, 2017, 06:40:36 AM
Horns and always-on power have been discussed extensively. Please use the search utility to find those threads.
I found it here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S52pcmL2Lq8), using the search keyword "always" to find it.

-Don-  Auburn, CA
Title: Re: A few tech questions
Post by: MrDude_1 on August 29, 2017, 08:40:44 PM
Sure, as soon as you create it. In the meantime, you might want to thank Burton for his time and energy running down every single wire and connection on his bike. It's not as simple a task as you might think.
I meant larger. The only problem I have is it's too small to see much detail. And I am too new here to even know who Burton is. But what makes you think that I would think making such a schematic would be easy? I would expect it to take months of hard work to trace out the entire bike.

But thanks for the info.

-Don- Auburn, CA

You can see the schematic in PDF from here: http://zeromanual.com/index.php/Unofficial_Service_Manual#Schematic (http://zeromanual.com/index.php/Unofficial_Service_Manual#Schematic)
That way you can zoom in on each section to read it easier. I use it on a tablet with foxit PDF and pinch zoom in/out  as I am reading it. Much easier than printing it on multiple sheets of paper and taping it together.