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Messages - BenNelson

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1
General Discussion / Benswing Rich Electric Biker Interview Video
« on: August 10, 2018, 02:02:47 AM »
Hi everybody!

The other day, I got to do a remote video interview with Ben "Benswing" Rich about his long-distance electric motorcycle trips. It was an hour and 20 minutes that we chatted over a wide range, but includes info on fast charging and his Diginow Super Charger.

Please watch and enjoy!

-Ben Nelson


2
Home Brew / Re: DIY CHAdeMO?
« on: March 14, 2018, 05:42:44 AM »
Thanks, Erasmo,
Anything you could dig up for me would be great! Thanks in advance!

3
Home Brew / DIY CHAdeMO?
« on: March 13, 2018, 08:59:51 AM »
Can anyone help me find some information on pairing CHAdeMO with an electric motorcycle?

I have a CHAdeMO inlet which I salvaged off an electric car. I have a Vectrix, running at about 135V nominal (18 Nissan Leaf cell modules.)

I know nothing about CAN, but if I can find a good source, I can learn.

I'd like to be able to connect CHAdeMO for charging the motorcycle. Most of what I can find about CHAdeMO and EV motorcycles was from ZERO toying with it and then it NOT working. My understanding is that part of the problem was the pack voltage and not all CHAdeMO chargers actually being up to spec. I hope that having a little higher pack voltage, and a few years having passed, that maybe I COULD do CHAdeMO on my cycle.

The big deal with be CANBUS for communications. I know there's a few BMSs out there can can do that.

Can anyone help point me in the right direction?

Thanks!
-Ben Nelson
300MPG.org


4
Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ / Re: Loud pipes save lives?
« on: January 25, 2016, 08:29:13 PM »
Ah yes, the other thing that I forgot is that motorcycle mufflers point the WRONG direction!

I may have missed this earlier in the thread, but when I'm in my car, going fast, and motorcycles pass me, I generally don't hear them until they ARE PASSING me. I'm generally pretty good about scanning the horizon in front of me, but if I happen to be a little day-dreamy right then, it can even be STARTLING to suddenly have that loud noise right next to me.

If the "loud pipes save lives guys really want to be heard", the mufflers should point forward to project the sound towards where they are going.

I recently purchased a Mitsubishi iMiEV electric car. It has a noise-maker on it. There's a small speaker that points forward and it makes a UFO noise any time you are in gear, up to I think 22 miles per hour. The thought on that is that the sound is mostly for parking lots and intersections where there would be crosswalks & pedestrians (possibly blind ones.) Once the vehicle is traveling any reasonable speed, the tires and wind make more noise than the the UFO sound effect makes anyways. At speeds 25 mph and faster, a person crossing the street really needs to be LOOKING rather than listening for traffic anyways, just because of how fast it moves.

5
Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ / Re: Loud pipes save lives?
« on: January 25, 2016, 08:16:53 PM »
I would say that the more information a driver/rider has about other vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians around him, the better. Hearing a motorcycle is better than NOT hearing a motorcycle, however since it seems like almost all cars have air conditioning, the windows are rolled up all the way in summer and winter. Combine that with the radio and other distractions, and a car driver isn't likely to hear any difference between an electric motorcycle and a gas one. Driving tends to be a VISUAL task. I think that wearing bright colors on a motorcycle is a good idea. Pedestrians in a parking lot can be challenging. They are as distracted as drivers now, since they just walk around with their heads down looking at the smart phone, AND may be wearing headphones as well. I have experimented with running an MP3 player on my homebuilt electric motorcycle playing a looping sound effect through some small speakers. It usually (but not always) gets pedestrians attention. Back to the visual aspect of things; Many gas cars nowadays are very quiet - especially in a parking lot when the engine is idling, and the driver hasn't pulled out of a parking space yet. Those are cases in which I wish everyone had daytime running lights or that full-time headlight use was mandatory. Having the lights on is a really good visual indicator that a vehicle is attended, on, and ready to move.

6
General Discussion / Loop the Lake - 1,000+ Miles around Lake Michigan!
« on: August 14, 2015, 09:59:43 PM »
Hi guys!

I will be riding over 1,000 miles AROUND Lake Michigan in the first two weeks of September 2015. The idea is to draw attention to what can be done with electric vehicles, promote the proper and respectful use of clean water, and make a documentary film about the trip.

I'll be meeting up with several other riders on parts of the trip to ride together as we Loop the Lake.

I'll be doing this on a 2007 Vectrix super scooter, a vehicle originally designed for about a 40 mile range. I purchased it last winter for $400 in completely NON-funtional condition. Since then, I've learned plenty about it, replaced the original batteries with those from a salvaged Nissan Leaf battery pack from a junk-yard, and added two more chargers built from some industrial LED power supplies.

The route of the trip will approximately follow the coast of Lake Michigan, following the backroads, with stops at public EVSE, campgrounds, RV parks, and wherever else I can get a charge.

I'll be bringing with both several GoPros as well as a professional grade video camera to be able to film the documentary, including interviews with other DIY riders, learning about their projects and what makes them tick.

I could use your support! If you have any travel tips, know of some great places to stop (including the best local restaurants, etc.) or are not too far from Lake Michigan and have an electric outlet or couch I can use for an evening, please let me know!

I could also use some financial support. Seriously. All funds will go directly to making the project happen, including buying food, paying campsite fees, and purchasing camera media. If you can buy me a coffee or upgrade my lunch from Ramen Noodles to something better, I will forever be in your debt!

It will also be great if you could help me spread the word about the project! I have info about it posted at my blog, on GoFundMe, and have a Facebook page. Tell your friends! Blog, Tweet, or otherwise let folks know about this!

https://www.facebook.com/LooptheLake2
 http://www.gofundme.com/loopthelake
 http://300mpg.org/loopthelake/

Thank you so much!
-Ben Nelson

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