Motor and tensionerChain driveMotor torque arm
OwnerFrank Lotito
Owner's Other EV2006 Sun AX-1
LocationNoble, Oklahoma US map
Email email image
Vehicle2006 Sun SX-1
Short wheel base recumbent.
MotorUnite Motor P.N. - 106158 (TNC P.N.) Permanent Magnet DC
800W Motor/36 Volts (Style: MY8922) from www.tncscooters.com. This motor has thin (about 1/4" thick) Neodymium Magnets, which give it a high power output for it's small size!
Drivetrain36V, 800W scooter motor, with an 8T drive sprocket driving an 72T sprocket on a single speed freewheel (special hub comes from www.staton-inc.com), using #35 chain.
ControllerKelly KDS48050E, 50A
Using 40A ATC fuse for this controller. Can be programmed. Speed set to about 25 MPH max. Armature current set for 50A.
Batteries4, 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, AGM
Ritar 22AH H.R. batts. from www.atbatt.com
System Voltage48 Volts
Charger Yang Ming - 48-9
120 V switch mode 8A regulated charger - charges in about 2.5 hrs.
InstrumentationNONE right now, planning on voltmeter and ampmeter (LED type - can be seen day & night)
Top Speed25 MPH (40 KPH)
This is on flat level ground, as set by controller programing.Since the unlimited top speed was 30 MPH, I get better speed regulation going up hills, unless it gets really steep!!!
AccelerationAcceleration is good. It is also a good hill climber.
Range35 Miles (56 Kilometers)
On flat ground with some hills. I have gotten as much as 40 miles on flat ground doing about 20 - 22 MPH with a little pedaling.
Seating Capacity1 adult
Curb Weight110 Pounds (49 Kilograms)
Weight of bike and batt. Batt pack (62#) is removable to make it easier to carry the bike up to the second floor.
TiresFRONT - 16 X 1.75' on A 16 x 1.5 rim.
REAR - 20 X 2.1 Maxxis 110# "M" thread mounted on an Alex DX32, 36 hole rim, using 14G spokes.
Conversion TimeOver several weeks, don't know actual hours.
Conversion CostAbout $350.00 (new motor, batts, sprockets and chain).
Additional FeaturesThis is the same recumbent, but was upgraded from 24V to 48V using the same controller. Added new controller on 12/1/10 since I blew out the Crystalyte controller a few months ago. It could'nt handle the 0.1 ohm resistance of the new motor - old motor was 0.7 ohm.
NOTE- in Oklahoma, an electric bicycle is allowed 1,000W and a top speed of 30MPH!
Very good transportation when it is cold out as I do not like breathing very cold air into my lungs when I am pedaling hard, or if I don't want to work up a sweat, and Don't want to use the car (gets great gas mileage sitting in the parking area! and about 38MPG highway when I do). This bike is mostly electric with pedal assist.

I am glad I updated this bike as it is now a much better performer, with a much increased range. I still have AGM batts (pack is 62#), but if you consider that a comparable Lifepo4 batt will weigh about 28# (34# lighter), this is only 11% of the entire weight (310#) of the bike with me on it (I am 200#), so your range will not be that much more using lithiums.

code by jerry