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Topics - Tom Cole

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1
Product Showcase / Wattcycles Tube Battery Version 2.0
« on: August 13, 2017, 11:05:38 am »
So this is almost ready.  I've redesigned the tube battery to make it smaller, lighter, less expensive, and with a slightly longer range.  Oh and this one look cool because the outer case is transparent!  That's right, you can see the actual cells!

Basically, a change in battery chemistry allowed me to switch from a 10s4p to a 10s3p due to an increase in capacity and amp output.  The idea of the design is still the same, but reducing the total cells from 40 to 30 means an approximate 25% decrease in diameter, weight, and cost, yet the capacity is theoretically 5% greater!

The reduction in cell count means that each layer of the battery has two fewer cells, so I was able to rearrange them to fit in a smaller diameter CLEAR thick walled PET tube.  This tube is a little more expensive than PVC, but the "cool factor" payoff is worth it.

I've finished the main design including wiring up the BMS and I am about to do some burn-in testing before closing everything up.  While out riding the other day with it, I popped a rear tire and rode 2 miles on a flat rear tire at 17 MPH without pedaling!  The battery and the wiring did not overheat, so I'd say initial tests are very promising.

Here's a pic with the new battery on the bike and the previous version on the floor.

2
Coffee Shop / CNC machine I built
« on: February 01, 2017, 02:36:22 pm »
I thought some of you might like to see this.  It is called a "Mostly Printed CNC" because all the plastic parts are 3D printed.  The files needed to print the parts are FREE!  http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:724999 The metal rails are plain cheap 3/4" emt conduit.  The electronics can all be bought inexpensively online if you can configure them yourself or for a little extra from the machine's designer. I bought most of my electronics and tool bits from him to support his development efforts.

Here is a video of mine:


3
Ride, Trail, and Club Announcements / Phenomenon Trail - Ft Gaines, GA
« on: December 20, 2016, 10:12:39 am »
This is a 4 mile paved running/hiking/biking/golf cart trail that goes from the lodge parking lot at George Bagby state park to the East Bank public use area (Corp of Engineers) parking lot just north of Fort Gaines, GA along the beautiful Lake Walter F .George (aka Lake Eufaula).  It is mostly flat and fairly shaded.

4
Ride, Trail, and Club Announcements / Chehaw Trail - Albany, GA
« on: December 20, 2016, 10:07:26 am »
Chehaw Park in Albany, GA has a great 11.25 mile MTB trail.  The trail has several loops that allow shorter rides.  I have ridden this trail with my ebike and although I pedaled most of the time, there were several instances where I was very happy I had a little help when I needed it.  Cost to get in the main park is $3.21 including tax and I think the trail is well worth it.
The park also has a camping area, BMX track, AWESOME playground and a wild animal park built by Albany's own Jim Fowler of "Wild Kingdom" fame.

5
In The News / New Battery Tech: Five X energydensity @ one-fifth the cost
« on: December 05, 2016, 06:17:54 am »

6
The attached zip folder contains 3d printable files, Fusion360 CAD files and (incomplete) instructions to make a 36V 10S4P electric bicycle battery pack using 18650 batteries that actually measure 18mm dia.  A video and further instructions will follow later as I do a redesign for slightly larger diameter 18650 batteries.

This project is open source.  The files are free to print and you may sell the prints and completed battery packs using this project and it's files.  You MAY NOT sell the files.  All I ask for my efforts is that you include "Wattcycles Tube Battery" in the name and that you mention wattcycles.com as the source.

Update 11/8/16 I added the Fusion360 files so you can edit as you need and added some comments in the instructions based on my own completed battery experience.

Everything in and/or about this project is "use at your own risk."

7
In The News / Enclosed recumbent electric bicycle
« on: October 31, 2016, 02:18:27 pm »

8
Product Showcase / Teasers of a battery I'm designing.
« on: October 24, 2016, 02:24:38 pm »
The idea is to hold groups of 18650 batteries securely inside a tube with a little breathing room between the batteries allowing for wires and such.  This group of 8 will fit into a 2.5" OD piece of tubing.  This is only a prototype.

9
In The News / Bike Lock makes Thieves Puke! Can't make this stuff up!
« on: October 23, 2016, 06:21:59 pm »

11
Product Showcase / Luna Cycle
« on: October 08, 2016, 08:19:45 am »

13
In The News / EBR of Juiced "Cross Current"
« on: September 22, 2016, 04:40:20 pm »

14
Laws About Ebikes / Washington
« on: September 22, 2016, 01:01:09 pm »
Washington wiki link

The State Patrol in Washington just makes it so simple with a pdf chart.

15
Laws About Ebikes / Virginia
« on: September 22, 2016, 12:54:52 pm »
Virginia wiki link

Virginia's DOT has their act together!  Information is easy to find.  It is a bicycle if it meets the definition and requires no license or registration.

Definition:
Quote
"Electric power-assisted bicycle" means a vehicle that travels on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground and is equipped with (i) pedals that allow propulsion by human power and (ii) an electric motor with an input of no more than 1,000 watts that reduces the pedal effort required of the rider. Operators must be at least 14 years old or be under the supervision of someone at least 18 years old. An electric power-assisted bicycle shall be considered a vehicle when operated on a highway.

A little more definition and some requirements
Quote
All electric personal assistive mobility devices, electrically powered toy vehicles, and electric power-assisted bicycles shall be equipped with spill-proof, sealed, or gelled electrolyte batteries. No person shall at any time or at any location drive an electric personal assistive mobility device, or an electric power-assisted bicycle faster than twenty-five miles per hour. No person less than fourteen years old shall drive any electric personal assistive mobility device, motorized skateboard or foot-scooter, or electric power-assisted bicycle unless under the immediate supervision of a person who is at least eighteen years old.

An electric personal assistive mobility device or motorized skateboard or foot-scooter may be operated on any highway with a maximum speed limit of twenty-five miles per hour or less. An electric personal assistive mobility device shall only operate on any highway authorized by this section if a sidewalk is not provided along such highway or if operation of the electric personal assistive mobility device on such sidewalk is prohibited pursuant to ยง 46.2-904. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the operation of an electric personal assistive mobility device or motorized skateboard or foot-scooter in the crosswalk of any highway where the use of such crosswalk is authorized for pedestrians, bicycles, or electric power-assisted bicycles.

Operation of electric personal assistive mobility devices, electrically powered toy vehicles, bicycles and electric power-assisted bicycles is prohibited on any Interstate Highway System component except as provided by the section.

VA DOT's site covering operation of bicycles.

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