ElectricMotorcycleForum.com

Tech => Home Brew => Topic started by: stevenf on July 07, 2013, 04:01:40 AM

Title: noob looking for suggestions
Post by: stevenf on July 07, 2013, 04:01:40 AM

This past weekend I was camping and a friend of mine brought a small stand up electric scooter for us to cruise around the site on. Being the builder/tinker'er that I am it sparked an interest in an around town daily commute motorcycle. little did I know there were sites like this with so much support for what I had in mind.
 What I am looking for: speed of 55 mph with a range of 35+ miles.
 My plans are to have fold out solar panels, fixed mini solar panels in all flat areas, and flexible solar panels on both fenders and top of gas tank. I am in search of a street/sport bike rolling frame.

Other then the Voltage regulator, voltage controller, what all are important things to consider with a bike like this? what fairly inexpensive motor would be a good choice for my speed/range?

Title: Re: noob looking for suggestions
Post by: Richard230 on July 07, 2013, 04:07:16 AM

Here is another site worth checking out:  http://www.elmoto.net/content.php (http://www.elmoto.net/content.php)

Title: Re: noob looking for suggestions
Post by: protomech on July 07, 2013, 07:21:58 AM

35 miles @ 55 mph will probably need around 4-5 kWh. That's going to be hard to do with onboard solar.

Take a look at the foldout panels here:
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/PV/pvscooter.htm (http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/PV/pvscooter.htm)

4x 30W. In a good day with 6 hours of sunlight, you might see about 600-700 Wh .. so maybe 15-20% charge, being charitable.

Title: Re: noob looking for suggestions
Post by: protomech on July 07, 2013, 07:30:38 AM

To really get much solar you need either more panels - trailer perhaps - or more efficient riding, either very aerodynamic or lower speed.

http://solarbikeproject.com/ (http://solarbikeproject.com/)

Title: Re: noob looking for suggestions
Post by: stevenf on July 07, 2013, 09:28:06 AM

I'm still learning this stuff so appreciate the responses. Looks like I may scrap the solar ideq for now.what motor and battery setup would you recommend for my project? Any good donors I should look for at garage sales, flea markets, Craigslist for q motor?

Title: Re: noob looking for suggestions
Post by: protomech on July 09, 2013, 02:17:08 AM

Note: I'm not suggesting that solar-power on vehicles is worthless. It's just a technology that has very niche applications where it works well. For most people driving conventional vehicles at conventional speeds, rooftop-mounted solar is a better application than vehicle-mounted solar.

I'd definitely check out elmoto and http://endless-sphere.com/forums/ (http://endless-sphere.com/forums/) for additional building advice.