Hot (new) Wheels

[arfink]

So I got me some wheels. She needs work though.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWuWXXuBuTU[/media]

[Papist]

Do you have to carry that sandcastle pail with you where ever you go?

[brianthephysicist]

razzle dazzle stuff. So if the battery doesn't charge properly, what are your plans? Are you going to look for (or possibly jury rig) a new battery for it? Or would it be salvaged for parts?

[arfink]

[quote name='brianthephysicist' timestamp='1336492740' post='2428662']
razzle dazzle stuff. So if the battery doesn't charge properly, what are your plans? Are you going to look for (or possibly jury rig) a new battery for it? Or would it be salvaged for parts?
[/quote]

When I initially picked it up I was planning on gutting out the motor and motor controller to put onto my regular bicycle, but I think I want to keep it as a pocket bike for a little while longer, just for kicks.

If the battery won't hold a charge then I will have to get some other battery for it. Surplus lead acid cells are pretty inexpensive, especially when you consider that they get thrown away with extreme regularity as "dead" UPS systems. The UPS will usually show a battery fault when they won't stay above 80% capacity, but for this application it wouldn't really matter so much.

I also know some surplus stores in Minneapolis that have NOS lead-gel cells. Those things have a limited shelf life if you're not keeping them on a maintenance charger, so they sell NOS at about 80% capacity or so, but again, for this application it would be perfect. In other words, cheap.

As an alternative, lithium-polymer batteries have really come down in price. It'd give me the perfect excuse to get one of those massive 80AH 36 volt packs sent to me. It'd probably cost $45. I'd get a 33% boost in voltage (MOAR POWER!), double the amperage (MOAR RANGE!) and shed half the weight of the bike.

Edited May 8, 2012 by arfink

[Papist]

Also, I apologize for all the sarcastic comments I did against you in the past. If I'd known you are a 10 yr old, I would have refrained.

[arfink]

[quote name='Papist' timestamp='1336498777' post='2428705']
Also, I apologize for all the sarcastic comments I did against you in the past. If I'd known you are a 10 yr old, I would have refrained.
[/quote]

IDGI

[Papist]

[quote name='arfink' timestamp='1336500383' post='2428714']
IDGI
[/quote]

That bike is too small for my 11 year old nephew.

[arfink]

[quote name='Papist' timestamp='1336500553' post='2428716']
That bike is too small for my 11 year old nephew.
[/quote]

You do understand the concept of a minibike, don't you?

[Papist]

I guess not. I never understood the pet rock either. Oh well.

Enjoy the minibike nonetheless.

[BigJon16]

Now you can be a Holy Roller...

[arfink]

[quote name='Papist' timestamp='1336502973' post='2428751']
I guess not. I never understood the pet rock either. Oh well.

Enjoy the minibike nonetheless.
[/quote]

These mini bikes are supposed to be tiny in comparison to their riders. Observe:

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTHMFLaFDeo&feature=related[/media]

[Papist]

Ok. Have fun and see you on Most Shocking.

[brianthephysicist]

[quote name='arfink' timestamp='1336494530' post='2428674']
When I initially picked it up I was planning on gutting out the motor and motor controller to put onto my regular bicycle, but I think I want to keep it as a pocket bike for a little while longer, just for kicks.

If the battery won't hold a charge then I will have to get some other battery for it. Surplus lead acid cells are pretty inexpensive, especially when you consider that they get thrown away with extreme regularity as "dead" UPS systems. The UPS will usually show a battery fault when they won't stay above 80% capacity, but for this application it wouldn't really matter so much.

I also know some surplus stores in Minneapolis that have NOS lead-gel cells. Those things have a limited shelf life if you're not keeping them on a maintenance charger, so they sell NOS at about 80% capacity or so, but again, for this application it would be perfect. In other words, cheap.

As an alternative, lithium-polymer batteries have really come down in price. It'd give me the perfect excuse to get one of those massive 80AH 36 volt packs sent to me. It'd probably cost $45. I'd get a 33% boost in voltage (MOAR POWER!), double the amperage (MOAR RANGE!) and shed half the weight of the bike.
[/quote]

Nice! sounds like you've got some exciting options.

[arfink]

Update on my hot wheels:

I ordered some new batteries, ($35 shipped, woot for cheap batteries!) because the ones I have are indeed destroyed, as I suspected.

Here is a wiring diagram I made:

[img]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QfNED_Kldu8/T7Bm1wUPWNI/AAAAAAAABqc/QisGMq-XYR0/s800/wiring%2520diagram.png[/img]

Edited May 14, 2012 by arfink

[arfink]

New batteries! I promptly soldered them up to their new wiring harness. Fresh molex connectors, mmm mmmm.

[img]https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7OcNdK1lfqA/T7W0EEfCRCI/AAAAAAAABtw/Si9d7MT79fU/s800/IMG_2489.JPG[/img]

[img]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WpKcJRsq0j8/T7W0IKuxrtI/AAAAAAAABtw/LqXLi5k30zw/s800/IMG_2488.JPG[/img]