Dave's EV GrinMy Declaration of IndependenceE Tek motor brushes
OwnerDave Arnold
Owner's Other EV 1982 Volkswagen Rabbit
LocationFort Pierce, Florida US map
Vehicle1979 Honda CBX
'79 CBX with modified frame for '81 bodywork.
MotorBriggs and Stratton E-Tek Permanent Magnet DC
1st generation with all the epoxy and solder. I take it easy on this one. Purchased from electricmotorsport.com
DrivetrainDirect drive, #35 chain, 14T-70T sprockets. Alluminum mount on swing arm.
ControllerAlltrax 4834
Purchased from evdrives.com 300 amp model, with the software tweaked down to @ 250 amps max, avoiding excess heat, saving juice and apparently reducing brush wear.
Batteries4 East Penn Deka 8A27M, 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, AGM
92ah. Purchased from St. Lucie Battery and Tire. I've had one fail. Not sure these are suited for heavy sustained draw. Though the spec sheet seems to indicate my average draw is 60 or so amps below maximum. Bad one passed a standard load test. But would heat up and fail within 10-12 miles.
System Voltage48 Volts
Charger Yang Ming
1 on board, 9A 48V output. Purchased from evparts.com. Slower than my set of 6A Sondars... Alarmingly high 61 v finish... Seems ok so far but I'm not sure the voltage/staging is correct for my AGM's. Retractable 120vac 10' cord reel.
DC/DC Converter So cheap, never asked Roderick who made it!
20-60V input 10A 12V output. Saggy when the turn signals are applied... one day I'll get led lights. Purchased from evparts.com
InstrumentationCurtis "fuel" gauge . Stock analog volt gauge and speedometer.
Top Speed50 MPH (80 KPH)
45 mph max at @50% discharge.
AccelerationOk off the start, good through the mid range, with performance like a scooter.
Range25 Miles (40 Kilometers)
Approximately 15-20 miles at 50 mph, 30-35 miles at 25 mph. It seems to get the best speed for discharge at around 40 mph.(dependent on head or tailwinds on country roads.)
Watt Hours/MileReworking these numbers as my new charger is'nt quite as efficient.
EV Miles
Start:26,042 Miles (41,901 Kilometers)
Current:28,864 Miles (46,442 Kilometers)
Total:2,822 Miles (4,540 Kilometers)
Seating CapacityMe, and IF there's a passenger, a THONG-LADEN-HONEY ONLY.(with tattoo of course)
Curb Weight580 Pounds (263 Kilograms)
It lost weight with conversion. Was 625 lbs stock(dry).
TiresCheng Shen, "HI-MAX", inflated to 45 psi.
Conversion TimeAbout 230 hours including reconditioning the bike. Actual conversion(mounts, wiring , and misc..), much less. Thinking about it ... 15 years!
Conversion Cost$2,528 so far. Minus @ $1,200 via ebay part reclaimation.
Additional Features"Sticking it to the Oil Man".

Still ride every chance I get. If I'm not in the work van, or ferrying co-workers, I'm on the bike for the ride to work as well. But sometimes it rains. It kills me... I pay near 800$ a year on my toyota and fiero and am only allowed to drive them two days a week, 100 miles total,..Each. It looks as if I couldn't even drive to orlando and back with out stepping out-side my coverage. Ridiculous huh... Gotta love floridian insurance co's and their lobbyists. ******** Comments from passer's-by.... Mostly I hear: "Oh... your coasting".. I say, "it's all downhill for me... yeah sure". And then there's, "That box you put over the motor will make it overheat".. I say, "If you find a motor inside that box I'll give you $50". Sometimes a guy will walk up and say, "Electric... wow... hmmmm... thats cool"*********

code by jerry