Paul's commuter Ebike #1

[definitionofis]

I have been studying torque mathematics and I read somewhere that the braking requirements increase at a rate of the square of the speed.

That idea makes sense because it is pulled from the notion that stored kinetic energy is a square relation to velocity.

I'm just posting this as a warning about the limits of those brakes on that bike.

You need a plan B if those hand brakes fail.

Does your new controller have a braking feature ?

[MPaulHolmes]

Brakes? I only have one working brake! hehe. You are right. The new controller for the car has lots of built in safety features so that it shuts down if something bad happens. But since this video, I've added a controller to the bike and I try not to ride on major streets. You are right.

[definitionofis]

I wasn't kidding about using the controller as a brake. If you send reverse polarity pulses to the motor it would be a good brake.

Also, just shorting the wires on a permanent magnet motor provides some braking torque as generated current flow provides a reverse magnetic force, which opposes rotation of the motor. That technique is sometimes used to slow wind turbines.

[MPaulHolmes]

Oh! Yes. It doesn't have that. It's a weird phenomenon too. I've wired the motor wires togther and tried to push it and it is really really hard. That's a interesting idea to add it as a controller feature..

[definitionofis]

You can also use that effect to recharge your batteries instead of just shorting it and wasting it as heat, inside the motor coils.

[alscompute]

how many watts is the motor?

[MPaulHolmes]

I don't know what it's rated for, but I use it at 48v, 20 amps about, which is 1.5HP. haha. I don't do that continuously though, since it's probably more like a 400watt motor.

[ez3usx2]

oil companies do about anything to protect their business.they run the goverments banks and universities.they should be charged with treason and we can start with standard oil for selling the germans special fuel for their planes during ww2.we wont be free until we kick the oil companies butts for ruining the earth and killing people. nice bike i try not to buy any more oil than i have to.

[DVMsucks]

wellllll, the controller lets you have variable speed, it saves your battery life, and your motor will crap out in no time without a check on the power its getting.

[MPaulHolmes]

Well, as long as you only use the motor once you are moving pretty good, an on/off switch won't draw too much power. My motor worked with the switch for about a year before I added a controller. A switch was perfect for cruising at high speed.

[FreeGlobalEnergy]

This is valuable information to know that the controllers prevent full power to the motor. The speed limitation is built into the controller.

referring to the battery comment at the end. I am with your rebel spirit but I don't think most people know that gas & oil companies own most of the best of the battery technology. EVers still support the oil companies when they buy batteries owned by Shell etc.

[MPaulHolmes]

You are right about the batteries. Chevron's Cobasys is currently sitting on the patent for some very long lasting NiMH batteries, that allow for ranges of about 200 miles.

[thegumbeauxkid]

Paul, this is one of the best videos on e-bikes I've seen. SIMPLICITY!

Do you have often turn the switch on anf off again throughout your rides? Or do you go full throttle all the time? Also, does pedalling increase the battery time or no?

[MPaulHolmes]

Thank you!!! Ya, I switch it off and on. Usually, I get up to speed (it accelerates pretty fast) and then shut it off to coast. It does help to pedal with it, because the faster the motor is turning, the less current it uses (and the longer the battery lasts). So, it's more efficient when I'm really hauling bottom. (as an extreme example, if you could hold the wheel still and run it at full throttle, it would burn up the motor)

[hlclark78]

A real napoleon dynamite.

[MPaulHolmes]

Not Napoleon Dynamite, just DYNOOOOMITE!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! YA! Are you saying I don't have any skills, like computer hacking skills, or any other skills?

[youspeed1911]

paul how manny battery cells on the back?

looks like 4

[MPaulHolmes]

They're taped together, so it's really hard to see.  Actually, there are 10 3.5amp-hr batteries. 2Par5Ser (meaning the 10 batteries are grouped into 5 pairs, and the 5 pairs are all wired in series to give 60 volts (12v * 5 = 60v)

[youspeed1911]

wow that's gota be Heavy. im working on one now

with the same hubmotor. ill see if i can get a lifepo4 custom made for 60v :)

[MPaulHolmes]

Oh, it's heavy alright. If you get a lithium battery pack, it is going to be WAY the heck lighter. I bought a bunch of old laptop batteries, took out the 18650 Lithium Ion batteries inside, and ended up with like 30-36 (I can't remember, they're in the garage though) good batteries, which would give similar voltage and amp-hrs, and is like 1/4 the size pack. I built a spot welder, which worked well, but I didn't have any temp monitoring, so I chickened out and they are just sitting out there.

[segerduder]

Hey can you put that motor on the back so it can be a rear wheel drive?

[MPaulHolmes]

Absolutely! In fact, to buy the motor built into the front wheel is $180. However, to buy it built into a rear wheel costs $150! What's that all about!? You can buy it at ebikes(dot)ca (it's not dot com but dot ca)

They are a canadian company that is awesome!

[segerduder]

Cool I think I might do that!

[mongobaer]

you´re nuts.

[MPaulHolmes]

Stay calm, MPaulHolmes. Everything is going to be OK. Judo chop! I am not nuts! You take that back...

[TVnewsGuya]

This is the best thing I have ever seen in my life! My favorite part is the end during the credits.

[TVnewsGuya]

cool stuff

[MPaulHolmes]

Great Video! Keep up the good work!

[MPaulHolmes]

Hey, MPaulHolmes, I'm a lot like you!  I even have a bike like you. Wait, I am you!!!