I successfully charged the batteries, one at a time, using the innard from an old APC UPS. I’m not sure how long it took. After two hours, one battery was only up to 12.5 volts (from about 12.2). So I left it overnight. In the morning the DMM read 13 volts even. After letting the read more
Monthly Archives: February 2008
Serial Hybrid Electric Bicycle ver. 2.0 (+full suspension)
February 21, 2008 – 10:04 am
Introductions The first serial hybrid bicycle was a success. I can lift it even with two oversized lead acid batteries attached. It takes up half the space in the garage as the long wheel base bike, and is more maneuverable. It’s more fun. Due to the demise of the first bike, I decided to ease read more
First Test Ride!
February 16, 2008 – 10:17 am
I had about an hour before noon to work on the bike, so I put the batteries in the battery “boxes” (actually just the frame from an old UPS) and used a motor cycle tiedown to secure the batteries to the frame. I wired the motor up to the batteries. I used my dishwashing fluid read more
Tires and Brakes
February 15, 2008 – 10:17 am
Tonight I went to the hardware store and bought a new 20″ tire tube and a bag of nuts, bolts, and washers. All the bolts on the bike are 1/4″, and I bought a bunch of 1.5″ long and 4 or 5″ long bolts. I bolted the motor plate and motor to the frame. The read more
GreenEmotor comes through with batteries!
February 8, 2008 – 10:16 am
I went to Halted in Santa Clara before the Sharks game to grab some cheap lead-acid batteries. Across the street is GreenEmotor, a company that sells electric scooters. I went in to see if they could sell me any batteries. Instead, the President, Allen Chen, and one of the other employees, John, gave me a read more
Selecting a Chain
February 1, 2008 – 10:15 am
After my not so fun and expensive experience with the previous bike and #25 chain, I decided to use #35 chain for the rear wheel. Since I am using a wheel with a coaster brake, I had the following options: No. 25 chain 8mm d-shaft sprockets are readily available 60/66 tooth sprockets are also available read more
