Acessory batt- Lead acid VS dry cellThe BikeMEGA-POSE!!InstrumentationSolar-grafBike speedo odometer
OwnerAndy Wade
Owner's Other EV2008 Jinhua Shiwie / SWEI 0003
LocationBristol, England United Kingdom map
Vehicle2004 Sakura S200
Pedal-electric moped / scooter type thing.
Motorunknown Brushless DC
Stock 200 Watt hub motor AFAIK
DrivetrainHub motor, gearless bicycle pedals-and-chain.
Controller
Stock controller AFAIK
Batteries2, 36.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Gel
1 x stock lead-acid battery for main system

1 custom unit made out of 10 x dry cells for lights and indicators
System Voltage36 Volts
Charger
Stock charger
Heaterwarm trousers
DC/DC Converter
None - Lights & indicators powered by dry cells which are in turn charged by solar panels. This saves juice for acceleration and range.
InstrumentationComes with super-basic, uncalibrated battery voltmeter and ammeter in dashboard. The voltmeter loses one bar when it's a couple of miles from pegging out.
Top Speed15 MPH (24 KPH)
Limited by UK law to 15 mph :-(
AccelerationNot too bad, now I've eliminated the DC-DC converter.
Range15 Miles (24 Kilometers)
While book range is 15-20 miles, I try not to take mine further than 12 miles or so to maintain battery condition. I have taken it 17.4 miles when deliberately deep-cycling battery / performing range test, but started running out of power at 15.
Watt Hours/Mile34 Wh/Mile
36v * 14 amps = 504 watt-hours for 15 miles. So 504 / 15 = 33.6 Whr/Mile.

That's in the region of 800 miles per gallon! (calculation based on the Toyota Rav4)
EV Miles
Current:1,527 Miles (2,456 Kilometers)
Seating Capacity2 very thin adults
Curb Weight88 Pounds (40 Kilograms)
40 kilos
Tires20 inch
Additional FeaturesHave replaced wet cell used for lights and indicators with 10 x AA dry cells in a Maplins battery pack. This is powered from onboard solar panels.

Have put a bicycle speedometer on it, after experimenting with wired ones spent the big bucks and got a wireless one about a year ago. No more problems - it is waterproof and shockproof.

Also modified lighting system - LED brakelight and repleaced headlight with an LED MR16, so now I never run out of lights at night.
Named after Maurice Moss from TV's The IT Crowd (because it may not always be socially "cool" but it's charming and dependable) and Austin Morris (old-time maker of several of my first cheap, clunky cars and an important part of t' British Motoring Heritage).

Tried building a supplementary battery to make it go faster and better, but it didn't work due to duffo cells. Don't bother upgrading these things, kids, you're better off just buying an Eco Scooter off the shelf really, or maybe getting an electric bike with a speed switch.

Might use dry cell battery to extend batt life a bit though; this is now a second bike and doesn't really need to go further than about 5 miles at a time.

It's a nice little town machine as it is; the low speed is all part of its nerdy, Moss-esque charm. I still use it for when I'm going down the pub and can't be bothered to cycle.

If everyone drove something like this and just put up with the limitations it would just about solve all our problems! Global warming would stop and the terrorists would go bust. Stupid humans!

code by jerry