hey guys.
so i'm probably gona get flamed simply because this thing doesn't get any horsepower.

but i can't afford a car right now,
can't even drive yet just have my learners license (0 hours)

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230301434004

should i get that?


i want it primarily to go to mates houses' about 10km away, maybe ride it to school if i miss the train
or go pickup a pizza about 4km away.

i'd walk, but by the time i get back the pizza would be cold.

what do you guys think?

What is the operating range and speed? If it's something like 10-20 miles or more and all you will be doing is riding around town, I think it will be a great thing to have.

I would get a little more info on it first.
But is does look pretty sweet.
I have been thinking of an electric car project.
Electric is going to be very popular.

200w?

Thats the power of about three lightbulbs :D

200w?

Thats the power of about three lightbulbs :D


yeah,
but anything over that, and it needs to be registered and you need a car license apparently.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/MODENA-S-ELECTRIC-SCOOTER-BICYCLE-MOPED-EBIKE_W0QQitemZ130261557633QQcmdZViewItem?hash=ite m130261557633&_trkparms=39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A1|240%3A1308&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

i tihnk this is the same model new.


max speed is 30km/h, and max range is 50km.
apparently more, because the seller modified the speed controller, and added another battery.


how easy would it be to steal this though?
i mean it has a pedals, so you can just have to pedal away.

seller said to put chain and tie it around a lamppost/street post.


how much should pay up to?

My suggestion is to get a bicycle or ride a horse.

mm

horses cost $20 000.

and i live in middle-class suburbia.

i used to have a bike, but my brother broke it.
so really, i now have a broken bike

The fact that you think all horses are equal (heresy!) and there is some sort of universally set recommended retail price (ludicrous!) of $20,000 for horses makes me laugh in all kinds of couth and uncouth manner.

He range in price from free to a good home, to the couple hundred a glue factory will give you (and therein lies a lucrative money making venture) to millions of dollars. A straight* gelding for most average riders wouldn't cost more than a few grand, but for you maybe a $40 rocking horse would be just as good. You're an extra.

*4-5 years old, of respectable breed, and in good shape.

The fact that you think all horses are equal (heresy!) and there is some sort of universally set recommended retail price (ludicrous!) of $20,000 for horses makes me laugh in all kinds of couth and uncouth manner.

He range in price from free to a good home, to the couple hundred a glue factory will give you (and therein lies a lucrative money making venture) to millions of dollars. A straight* gelding for most average riders wouldn't cost more than a few grand, but for you maybe a $40 rocking horse would be just as good. You're an extra.

*4-5 years old, of respectable breed, and in good shape.


okay.
well here, horses cost at least 10k.
the ones that are cheap, there is something wrong with them.
i can't ride horses as im in a major metropolitan city with a population of almost five million.
nor do i want to.

vet bills, the food, housing, etc. will cost more than a bloody car.

If I were you then I'd just fix the bike, or in your case ask a man to fix the bike for you. Should be cheaper than buying and running a new scooter of questionable repute.

I would not buy that. He says that by adding a second battery he gained speed. Adding a second battery would only give you more amperage and in turn more range unless he wired the batteries in series doubling the voltage. Running that thing at 2x the normal voltage would probably fry the stock controller so im assuming he purchased a 24v controller out of a handicapped scooter and fitted it in. If done correctly this would be a sweet mod but would only run if both batteries were installed giving 24v.

somehow he claims that it can still run on only one battery yet adding a second will make it faster? something does not add up here.

( I should add that i worked for 3 years as a repair tech for Electric Mobility, pretty much the worlds larges manufacturer of handicapped electric scooters sold under the "Rascal" brand name and that I know those things like the back of my hand)

that scooter is the same thing only with 2 wheels instead of 3 or 4. The Newer Rascal scooters are electronically limited to a certain max speed but I was able to contact the company in Australia who makes the motor controllers and they sold me a programmer similar to the ones used to make changes to the ECU in a car. It had options to change the settings of the speed limiter or turn it off altogether. perhaps your scooter has this? if the controller is a "Rhino" model or if it has a rubber cap covering 6 pins in a rectangular pattern then it has a programmer that can be plugged into it that can change accelleration rates and top speed.

If you do buy one consider talking to the service guys at any local shops that repair handicapped scooters. they may have a programmer that is compatible with the scooters controller and that could unlock tons of fun!

some very good advice G_P!

i'll ask the seller about the mod :P

here's his reply.

I like someone that does some research - anyway. The scooters battery is originally 48v with a restricted controller. By adding a controller with a higher power rating you can increase amperage and thus torque (ie: power to enable you to take off faster or ride up a steep hill). This was the first step that I undertook. So I got more power but this wasn't enough. The only way to increase speed is by increasing the voltage so I added another 12v battery - now the battery is 60v. This theoretically increased the scooters speed and distance by 25%. This was not a problem as when I selected the new controller I specifically chose one that could handle up to 60v. Voila increased torque, distance and speed. Ill tell you this was not easy that as to hook up a new controller takes some effort as the hall sensor and power wires vary from controller by controller. Took much patience and a methodical mind. Run this pass ur contact.. he'll probably say 'Sweet Mod'.
Oh and one more thing.... you can either operate with just the one 48v battery and the scooter will operate with increased torque accelerating faster but with the original top speed or..... add the second battery in series increasing the top speed also. Cheers Linton

i have a feeling the sellers been on this site, or at least googled your response!>

It sounds like he did it correctly. As long as the controller is rated for the voltage of all the batteries and that its amperage rating is higher than that of the motor at full load then you will be fine.

it sounds like this guy knows what he is doing and actually modded that scooter properly. He must have spent alot on it as good motor controllers run into the hundreds of U.S dollars unless he has a connection to a wholesaler who can get them cheap.

i wouldnt buy it witout seeing it in person though.....make sure the battery and new controller are mounted properly and securely and that all wiring connections are secure. Im not sure if that scooter is meant to see any rain but if it is then make sure the new connections made during the mod are waterproofed as well.

Also check the age of the batteries. If they are several years old they may not hold a charge as well as when new and you may want to consider replacing them if you are going to be riding it for long distances or up steep hills.

Is this 'motor controller' simply a switch? (As in mechanical contacts). That's what I did to my electric scooter. The motor controller's duty cycle was limited so it stayed under 200W.

btw there is nothing wrong with a switch.

Is this 'motor controller' simply a switch? (As in mechanical contacts). That's what I did to my electric scooter. The motor controller's duty cycle was limited so it stayed under 200W.

You did PWM with your hand? :confused:

nevermind gaiz.

went for $750, which i'd rather spend saving up on my first car.


thanks for your help guys, especially G_P

You did PWM with your hand? :confused:

The switch is in parallel to the motor controller. So low speeds are still possible and the controller does PWM for you. The switch is only for full throttle.

nevermind gaiz.

went for $750, which i'd rather spend saving up on my first car.


thanks for your help guys, especially G_P



No problem. I have lots of experience with electric scooters and wheelchairs and i'm glad to share my knowledge.