OwnerEllis Madsen
Owner's Other EVsBrico v2.0
Hybrid Powered bicycle
LocationLouisville, Kentucky United States map
Email email image
Vehicle2008
13" wheel child's bike, golf cart wheels, bicycle caliper
brakes, pine, oak and aluminum strut frame. No welding
done; machine bolts only. I used only a power drill and
manual hack saw.
Motor 250W 24V with reduction gear to a bicycle chain sp Permanent Magnet DC
from www.electricscooterparts.com
Drivetrainbicycle chain with hand-made tensioner
Controller hand-made four speed at 0, 12, 18 and 24 volts
four battery modules of 6V each (5 batteries) are wired in
series, selectable for 0V, 12V (2 modules), 18V (3 modules)
and 24V (4 modules). Contacters are made from individual
bicycle chain links mounted on an oak frame. This yields
three forwards speeds.
Batteries20 Powerizer, 1.20 Volt, Nickel-Metal Hydride
10000 mA D cells in a handmade holder using 14 gauge
wire. From www.batteryspace.com
System Voltage24 Volts
Charger
The four battery modules have connectors used for charging
or for operation. The module order is changed at estimated
half way point of a trip to equalize somewhat the amount of
discharge from each module.
Heatera heavy coat
DC/DC Converter
two 6V chargers from a 12VDC hand made modules from
batteryspace
Instrumentationnone
Top Speed6 MPH ( 9 KPH)
estimated
Accelerationpoor
Range5 Miles ( 8 Kilometers)
estimated
Watt Hours/Mile250W/24V = 10.4A, but peak acceleration does not blow the
recommended 30A fuze.
Seating Capacity1 adult
Curb Weight58 Pounds (26 Kilograms)
Tiresbicycle tube-type drive and solid "little red" wagon type.
Conversion Time3 months, not counting the prototypes. The hardest part
were the fitting for the bicycle caliper brakes and hand made
steering system.
Conversion CostUS$175.
Additional Featureshead light and a small cargo box.
This vehicle qualifies as an electric moped in Kentucky. it is very low to the ground and
needs the "training wheels" during tight turns, which are a bit "exciting."

It was made essentially as a demonstrator for the sequential switch I designed and built. The switch works very well. The demonstration was done in order to show how an efficient controller could be used that doesn't waste energy in the less-than-total voltage positions. It also shows that the sequence of the battery modules can be changed to equalize (somewhat) the discharge of the different modules. This was done manually in this case, but optimally it would be done automatically by switching the module order according to various rules, measurements of discharge, running time, etc.

code by jerry