I thought I would post some images of the latest iteration of my Piaggio Boxer EV project. I hadn't actually shown the Prius batteries mounted, even though I had done that almost a year and a half ago.
This is the front, showing new 9 watt LED front bulb. Blindingly bright:
This is the Prius pack mounted in the 6s2p configuration, given me 43.2 volts @ 13 Ah nominal. I made the battery carrier myself. The motor speed controller is below the pack, but it's hard to see from this angle:
This shows the new style HobbyKing motor mounted. The new motor was longer than the old one (even though the specs on HobbyKing's site weren't updated) which meant it could no longer fit in the old motor mount. I had to weld together my own motor mount. Right now, I'm holding the motor only on one side, leaving the other open for the cooling fan (made from a PC computer fan) - note that the motor spins counter-clockwise from this perspective, so the fan draws air into the motor. I think I'll eventually end up making a retention bracket for the right side as well, to prevent too much stress on the bearings on motor:
This left hand side shows how the motor was moved forward in order to fit:
A little view of the wonderful CycleAnalyst:
This is the new reverse-current board that I made using MOSFETs. It's not perfect, but it's more efficient than the blocking diodes that I used -- which were expelling 1.7 volts @ 100 amps == 170 watts when the motor was at full speed!
Ending with another side view.
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Someone on the endless-sphere forum asked me about battery usage / efficiency. Here was my response:
The peak amps are during the acceleration phase. This thing accelerates really fast! I keep meaning to get one of the iPhone apps that can tell you how many Gs your vehicle can pull.
Once it gets up to cruising speed, the amps drop down drastically (I can't easily see the CycleAnalyst while I'm riding, but I'm guessing 40-50 amps). Actually, I guess I could back-calculate using the watt hours.......
45 Wh / km @ 40 km / h = (the km and the h cancel out) .... 1800 watts
1800 watts @ 43.2 volts = 42 amps
Hey!
Nice set up you got there!
I found your blog through Google while i was looking for ways to charge my Prius NiMH pack effortless just like i always charge my SLA's.
I bought the prius pack last week from some company which salvaged a front wrecked 2010 Gen.3 Toyota Prius. The batteries seemed in excellent order and all of the 28 modules were showing 7.5/7.6V when i took them out of their assembly. They will soon be used in my Novox C20 electric scooter at 8s2p configuration.
Unfortunatly i cannot find any info over the method how you charge your 6s pack. Could you please share this information? :)
Thanks in advance!
Greetings,
Tim
from The Netherlands
Dear Tim -
Thanks for the question! I'll respond with a new article in the blog.
Karen