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| An Electric Bicycle |
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| S. Heslop:
Whew. Just rode it for about 25 minutes back and forth on part of the cycle track. Decided to head home when the cells got warm. I brought the multimeter along but I forgot what voltage I was actually supposed to be draining the batteries to (was going for 3.7 per cell for storage). Killed myself on the last bit going back up the (very steep) hill. The bike could climb the hill by itself but fairly slowly, but I decided to pedal up it as well since the wheel must've been slipping alot. The cells are at about 3.6V per cell so I suppose i'll charge them up a bit for storage after they cool. But yeah, it worked great! I need to disassemble it (hopefully for the last time) to see how well the bearings are holding up. If they're doing okay then I guess I can call the project complete, aside from a few finishing touches. I also thought it was interesting that on the motor side the whole arm got fairly warm. At first I was worried that it was the bearings overheating, but the one on the opposite side was cool to the touch. I think the heat from the motor was conducting into the whole arm, and the arm was acting like a heat-sink for the motor and keeping it cool! |
| awemawson:
Isn't it a great feeling when a plan comes to fruition :clap: I'm very happy for you - well done :thumbup: |
| S. Heslop:
Good news, everyone! The bearings have held up fine. Can't feel even a tiny bit of grittiness to them. All I really need to do now is make a throttle (holding a potentiometer isn't just dangerous, it's downright uncomfortable!), which shouldn't be a difficult job. And a cover for the gearbox would probably be a good idea. Then paint everything. |
| vtsteam:
Great to hear about it Simon! I know there must be a video some time in the future. Can't wait to see it! :clap: :clap: :clap: :beer: |
| S. Heslop:
It always gets confusing making a video when most of the project was fiddling around with stuff to get it to work. I recorded alot of video in the early stages but i've barely recorded anything of the latter stuff. I should probably set the camera up for the final assembly, so the video doesn't just trail off into an awkward slideshow of 'finishing touches' at the end. Or I could just pretend i'm a genius and it worked first try! |
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