ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Tech => Tech Help => Topic started by: Tomcat on July 06, 2021, 07:01:30 PM
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Hi. I'm not suffering an issue with my Zero FX, but I would like to add the ability to charge the bike from the UK network of type 2 charging points.
I have the rear rack on my bike, equipped with an alloy Givi monokey mounting plate. I am quite prepared to sacrifice the space in a Givi top box to fit a charger with a type 2 input.
What I am seeking is the guidance, perhaps by someone has a similar system fitted, as to exactly what I would need to buy.
I'm happy to leave the electrical connections down to a technician. I'd just fit the charger unit and type 2 receiver into the back box.
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My first thought is that is going to be an awful lot of weight located EXACTLY where you don't want it on a bike that small and light...
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You can also just have a small adapter if you can live with the low speed of you on board charger.
-Crissa
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I've carried heavy things (maybe 20lbs) in the top box on my FXS. Never really noticed a huge reduction in agility, but that was all on the streets of Chicago, not trails or anything an FX is better suited for. I've seen a handful of people that have installed chargers into top cases and it is a tempting idea. I just like my top case to be free for actual storage, so I clamped my charger onto the grab bars on the passenger seat.
See here (https://www.electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=11060.msg104486#msg104486) for a couple shots of my clamped on charger. I thought I posted a thread about mounting my J-1772 adapter on the fender, but I guess I didn't actually click post. I'll have to rewrite that and post it.
The other reason I'd probably not want to permanently mount a lot of weight in place of the top box, is because it's such a long lever at that point. It's a couple feet from the main frame at that point. Depending on your rides and the forces applied to that lever it could cause the rack, or subframe to fail prematurely.
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My advice is some sort of J1772 adapter, tusconev.com makes a j1772 to pev adapters that are perfect for our application. The OBC doesn't have any issues at 220/240v. Then, if you plan to in the future, you can add something like an elcon or deltaq charger for faster charging. I don't know why no one mentions a tank bag or saddle bags. I have my 3.3kw in my tankbag and it's close enough to me it feels a part of me on my fx.
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A tank bag is a MUCH better solution as it puts all of that weight squarely into the rider's triangle. The only issue with a tank bag, of course, is how easy they are to steal off an unattended vehicle.
The OTHER downside is something we've discussed often in the MSF classes I used to teach. If you're a guy, you may want to think about putting a hard, heavy object with sharp edges in front of your crotch because if you should have an "unexpected stop" your voice might go up a couple of octaves.