ElectricMotorcycleForum.com

  • November 26, 2024, 12:30:34 PM
  • Welcome, Guest
Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Advanced search  

News:

Electric Motorcycle Forum is live!

Pages: [1]

Author Topic: Scooter Conversion (Riva)  (Read 2795 times)

PattiMichelle

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 8
    • View Profile
Scooter Conversion (Riva)
« on: August 29, 2009, 09:56:36 PM »

I have one of the big Rivas (1986, 200cc) and haven't seen any conversions on that model - but I want to convert it to electric.  The hub motors have dropped seriously in price in the last year, so I'm going to go that way.  I can get an 8kW with regen for less than $1500.  The first hurdle is the rear suspension - I'm trying to get a junk swingarm and a couple of spring shocks on the newsgroups.  I'll have to have someone modify the swingarm for length, shocks, and a disk brake caliper.  Then come the batteries.  I only intend to use this for a 4 mile commute to work, but everyone drives at least 50mph on the main surface streets here, and there's no way to avoid the main streets, hence the 8kW hub motor.  So 60VDC is probably the minimum with this hub motor:  (??)
http://www.newkellycontroller.com/product_info.php?cPath=26&products_id=435

Aside from asking for any help/suggestions as I start this project, I have a dumb newbie question - since the scooter will be sitting at work with me, I can only charge it at home at night.  I've converted a lot of my apartment to solar with solar cells.  Is it anywhere near efficient-enough to charge batteries during the day (with solar), then use those batteries to charge the onboard scooter batteries at night?  I'm guessing not.  Maybe I should construct interchangeable battery packs that get charged every other day and swapped out at night.  Sounds heavy...

Thank You!
PattiMichelle
Logged

Bogan

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 273
    • View Profile
Re: Scooter Conversion (Riva)
« Reply #1 on: August 30, 2009, 03:14:12 AM »

Good find on the kit, looks really well priced. Just check out that the motor can take 8kw no problem, says its rated for 6kw, i havent had any experience with overloading BLDC but i expect it could take it no worries. With the solar, it may be more efficient to put it back into the grid during the day, then draw it back fro the grid at night. Though I dont know how the infrastructure is set up in your country, hear in NZ its easy to do. How many Watts of solar array have you got?
Try and get a 72V battery pack I reckon, even a low AHr pack would be fine for your range, but then you would have the ideal top speed.
Logged

PattiMichelle

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 8
    • View Profile
Re: Scooter Conversion (Riva)
« Reply #2 on: September 08, 2009, 05:06:29 AM »

Thanks - I was confused - it's a 6kW motor and an 8kW controller.  I'm getting ready to buy it.  They say it will operate from 24V to 72V - so I have a range of options (and top speeds!).  I still need an old motorcycle rear fork/swingarm - haven't been able to find a junker online yet  :-[
Logged

PattiMichelle

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 8
    • View Profile
Battery packs?
« Reply #3 on: September 27, 2009, 01:15:27 AM »

...now I'm beginning to think it would be a good idea to go with Li-iron batteries - mostly because they can do regen really well.  I can't seem to find a source for, say, 60V battery packs.
Logged

frodus

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 697
    • View Profile
Re: Scooter Conversion (Riva)
« Reply #4 on: September 29, 2009, 03:13:29 AM »

most packs over 48V you have to build yourself.

Thundersky and Headway (which we sell) are good options, just need to get a decent BMS for them and you're good to go.
Logged
Travis

PattiMichelle

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 8
    • View Profile
Re: Scooter Conversion (Riva)
« Reply #5 on: October 01, 2009, 10:15:29 AM »

Do you have links for those battery pax?
Logged

frodus

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 697
    • View Profile
Re: Scooter Conversion (Riva)
« Reply #6 on: October 01, 2009, 10:21:19 PM »

click on the link in my signature for evcomponents, go to batteries and see what might fit your design/budget

Let me know if I can help with ANYTHING.... thats what I'm here for.
Logged
Travis
Pages: [1]