Electric bicycle

Electric bike transformation: version 3 (in-progress)

Night pictures of version 3 cargo bike. Features:

  • 12V 5-3/4 inch diameter LED-based motorcycle headlight with low and high beam.
  • Four front-facing amber turn signals.
  • Four rear-facing amber turn signals.
  • Illuminated push-button switches on left handlebar: left turn signal, and horn.
  • Illuminated push-button switches on right handlebar: low/high beam switch and right turn signal.
  • Magura hydraulic disc brakes with 203mm rotor on front and rear. Disc brakes trigger electrical switches to engage 12V brake light.
  • Green LED voltmeter to monitor 12V battery system with two built-in USB charger ports for Smart phone recharging.
  • Entire electrical system powered by two 12V, 10Ah lithium iron phosphate batteries (one is primary and the second is a backup) to power headlight, taillight, brakelight, eight turn signals, and horn.

Electric bike transformation: version 2 (completed):

The front wheel drive has performed remarkably well but lacks adequate torque to climb hills. Consequently, I'll be installing a direct drive motor in the rear wheel with a single speed freewheel cog. Upcoming features in version 2 include:

  • Batteries upgraded to 72V (nominal) and 24.5 amp-hour capacity. Two batteries will be used for a total of 49 amp-hours.
  • Sine-wave motor controllers for both motors upgraded to 72 volts.
  • Two wheel drive bicycle with human-powered pedal for redundancy.
  • Each wheel will operate on an independent throttle as I test the system. Once testing is complete, I may integrate the two throttles together for all-wheel drive.
  • Regenerative braking on both wheels with disc brakes as backup (for redundancy).

This battery is 72 volts (nominal) and 24.5 amp-hour capacity. At full charge, this battery is 84 volts. Battery dimensions are: 15.75 inches x 5.91 inches x 2.87 inches (400 mm x 150 mm x 73 mm).

The 72 volt battery perfectly fits inside a Pelican iM2306 hard plastic case.

This bicycle started out as a stock Swobo Dixon. I originally bought this bicycle because it featured an SRAM 9-speed internal geared hub and front and rear 160 mm disc brakes. I wanted a low-maintenance commuter bicycle. I have made many changes to this bicycle, so many that the only original part on this bicycle is the frame.

Electric bike transformation: version 1 (completed)

I converted the bicycle to front-wheel drive electric in August 2018. Some features:

  • Direct-drive, slow-wind front-wheel drive motor (wired for torque, not top speed). I don't know what my exact motor is but I suspect it is a Nine Continent 2809.
  • Regenerative braking from front motor.
  • 203 mm diameter front disc brakes, 160 mm diameter rear disc brake (for redundancy in case regenerative braking fails).
  • Chromium-molybdenum steel front fork (for strength).
  • Two 52 volt, 20 amp-hour, LiFePO4 batteries wired in parallel.