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Author Topic: Tommey Reed's E-Trike Update  (Read 16298 times)

TommeyLReed

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Tommey Reed's E-Trike Update
« on: April 19, 2016, 09:39:05 PM »
Hi All,

Update on my E-Trike I built last year.

I add a front steering system and plan to have a range of 60 miles to a charge and a hybrid gas electric with 400 mpg at 25 mph.

Tom

telecom

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Re: Tommey Reed's E-Trike Update
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2016, 10:41:53 PM »
looks great,
 how is stability during turns and braking?

TommeyLReed

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Re: Tommey Reed's E-Trike Update
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2016, 11:47:32 PM »
Hi Telecom,

Not too bad.

Not made for high speed due to center balance is high.


Paul-R

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Re: Tommey Reed's E-Trike Update
« Reply #3 on: April 21, 2016, 06:19:53 PM »
The centre of gravity doesn't seem too bad. You could do with a windscreen at some point. Simple streamlining might keep down the drag. How many AH in that batty? You mentioned hybrid. Are you using something like a 25cc strimmer engine? Beware of engines that call themselves petrol but aren't; they are actually two stroke. (How about a simple wind driven Bedini SG device to keep feeding the batty?)

CANGAS

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Re: Tommey Reed's E-Trike Update
« Reply #4 on: April 22, 2016, 12:21:01 AM »
Lookin good! Ain't nothin about that bike i don't like.

Gonna have front brakes?


CANGAS 230

Pirate88179

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Re: Tommey Reed's E-Trike Update
« Reply #5 on: April 23, 2016, 03:41:42 AM »
Lookin good! Ain't nothin about that bike i don't like.

Gonna have front brakes?


CANGAS 230

Brakes?  Brakes?  Who needs brakes, ha ha.  The other folks will stop....right?

Bill

TommeyLReed

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Re: Tommey Reed's E-Trike Update
« Reply #6 on: April 23, 2016, 11:10:12 AM »
Hi All,

Brakes yes, I have disc front brakes that works perfect and rear brakes also.

I am selling this first design and building another one that will use the same basic design.

I have over 1,000 miles on this trike and with a new steering system it will sell like hot cakes.

I'm asking $1,500.00 with 1000w 48v hub motor and 4- 12v10a battery bank, this is everything with front and rear shocks.

I believe this is a good market and already building another one to sell.

I'm moving back to Florida where I can make these bicycle to sell. Also it's warmer then in N. Pa where it get too cold.

Whats your opinion on my goal?

Tom

ramset

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Re: Tommey Reed's E-Trike Update
« Reply #7 on: April 23, 2016, 04:16:55 PM »
Tommey

Having a dream as well as the ability to make it come true ??
looks like you have met the requirements ...as well as a great place to Market {Florida] .

regarding you sale offer here ?
As not everyone has followed the build progress,  Perhaps a list of descriptive features that the Bike has [small brochure ?] didn't it have fenders too? also will there be any type of post sale assistance offered to the buyer ?

  IMO it would not be possible to get a vehicle with all these features at anywhere near this price.

 

Chet


picowatt

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Re: Tommey Reed's E-Trike Update
« Reply #8 on: April 23, 2016, 04:47:39 PM »
Hi All,

Brakes yes, I have disc front brakes that works perfect and rear brakes also.

I am selling this first design and building another one that will use the same basic design.

I have over 1,000 miles on this trike and with a new steering system it will sell like hot cakes.

I'm asking $1,500.00 with 1000w 48v hub motor and 4- 12v10a battery bank, this is everything with front and rear shocks.

I believe this is a good market and already building another one to sell.

I'm moving back to Florida where I can make these bicycle to sell. Also it's warmer then in N. Pa where it get too cold.

Whats your opinion on my goal?

Tom

Lookin' good since you added the handlebars...

You might consider switching to a double wishbone front end on your next version.  It could cut down on unsprung weight in the front end and with rubber bushings at the frame ends and sealed ball joints at the wheel end, would be weatherproof, maintenance free, and couple less vibration to the frame.  As well, and from what you said, anything you can do to lower the CG is always a good idea.


As for manufacturing and marketing these guys, I would be very concerned about liability issues.  I'd check with a lawyer regarding product liability related issues to see if any customer signed boiler plate would be sufficient to limit liability.  I'd also talk to an insurance company regarding the required liability insurance and rates.

You have the lithium battery packs and charging issues to worry about (home fires, etc) and of course the worry over any accidents the trikes may be involved in on the road.   I am not sure what DOT regulations might apply, but I'd check into that as well.  Where I live, it used to be that Moped's were not required to be registered or meet DOT requirements as a motorcycle.  That is no longer the case.  I do not know where your E-trike would fall within the various state and federal regulations.

In any event, you'll want to protect your liability insurance rates by doing everything you can to prevent needing it!  Your battery pack and charging system will need to be very well engineered to ensure safe operation and charging.  Just one "event" could put you in the poor house.  Perhaps a commercial battery pack and charger should be a consideration.  As well, you'll want to mount the battery pack using vibration isolation.

I am not sure what all you can do to ensure/enhance safe operation on the road, but high visibility flashing lights/flags, torque and speed limiters, anti-skid, etc, come to mind.  I believe we saw some rollover/stability concerns in your past videos of early tests while turning around, perhaps you could address that somehow.  Have you considered front wheel drive?

To be honest, I don't know how even pedal bike manufacturers survive in the current legal environment.   

When I was growing up it was unheard of to sue an individual or company.  Times have changed...

PW       

TommeyLReed

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Re: Tommey Reed's E-Trike Update
« Reply #9 on: April 23, 2016, 05:02:29 PM »
Hi Picowatt,

The battery bank is lead acid, due to many problems with lithium batteries that others could run into.

The motor will be 500w and and 20mph max, this falls under all US states federal regulations on electric bikes

Also by offering a kit, it takes most all individual or a company to be sue.

The kit is the way to go.

Tom

picowatt

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Re: Tommey Reed's E-Trike Update
« Reply #10 on: April 23, 2016, 05:10:56 PM »
Hi Picowatt,

The battery bank is lead acid, due to many problems with lithium batteries that others could run into.

The motor will be 500w and and 20mph max, this falls under all US states federal regulations on electric bikes

Also by offering a kit, it takes most all individual or a company to be sue.

The kit is the way to go.

Tom

Just wanted to make sure you were considering the legal/liability issues.  I can't even insure my biz related tools and equipment for theft/damage without having to also carry biz related liability insurance as well.   

Your E-trike looks way cooler and more user friendly with the bars/steering mounted topside!

PW

TommeyLReed

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Re: Tommey Reed's E-Trike Update
« Reply #11 on: April 23, 2016, 05:20:14 PM »
Thanks PW,

I think it's a good start, this one I built took some of the hardest testing then I would do on any trike or bicycle.

Took it on dirt,snow and even jumped ramps and this held up great.

The bike is made for up to 800lb with tire and shocks rating.

I try to break it with crazy driving, so it's really is a good design.

Tom

ramset

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Re: Tommey Reed's E-Trike Update
« Reply #12 on: April 23, 2016, 05:33:50 PM »
Tom
yes Liability is an ever present issue here in Lawsuit Happy USA ,however one very unique aspect of your product  is that it is an aid to the governments cause .
that is Diminishing Carbon footprint and Global warming .

supporting Mom and Pop manufacturing of Carbon reducing Techs will be a Huge issue for out governments.
I have no doubt that you will find many congressmen and politicians who would be willing to write legislation
greatly limiting the impediments which frivolous lawsuits represent here in the USA as well as assisting in possible funding for
such projects.

perhaps the clause " Buyer beware" will actually mean something here ?
or perhaps "terms of sale" could include a bulletproof liability limitation on company responsibility if the government
could legislate this in your area for "Planet friendly" technologies ??

after all the Governments are trying to use racketeering Acts to arrest Global warming denier's here in the USA
it would not be much of a stretch to think they would not break down the walls to TORT reform in this particular area.

and well they should !!

Chet

PS
Obviously the Kit Model works here or the ultralight aircraft industry would not exist in the USA.
But that is a leisure / Play time product .
yours is a Much needed product .

and for clarity I think Global warming is Nonsense ,But the Powers that Be Steer the Money tree with this nonsense.
play the game to your advantage, also a ready made Path for FE tech !
Edit
PPS
Florida sits inches above the sea , the residents are being told "Global warming will drown us"

the hard work is done there [FEAR}

make a good business Model around Global warming and helping the elderly be Mobile [safe user friendly electric trikes with high seats and visibility]

getting the Politicians on board will be easy peesy !

the world is your Oyster Tom !!

Now about that Clem engine...and that Pulse Jet ...and that .... 8)   [only kidding ]

like I said
the world is your Oyster !!



 
     

Paul-R

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Re: Tommey Reed's E-Trike Update
« Reply #13 on: April 23, 2016, 05:34:04 PM »
There's a lot of manufacturing. It might pay you to buy in at a discount a standard recumbent tricycle and convert it. Some of the legal issues might fall on the original supplier. A front wheel tiller design might reduce costs.

Johan_1955

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Re: Tommey Reed's E-Trike Update
« Reply #14 on: April 24, 2016, 08:59:18 AM »
Hi Tom,

Since 10 years retired, in this period making lots of mine ideas, testing & enjoying them and mostly finding by coincidence buyer / interests for this projects, still almost a museum full of them and making more!! ;-))

-----------------

Like below is a conversion from a normal SurfBoard, to a flat on the belly, with belt and so your middle is fixed, and so legs and feet free flexible in horizontal plane for more fun in cornering, is driven by 20pk 2 cil Yamaha, Impeller in front and steering behind for real sharp cornering, tested lots of fun even for a Ex. Race / MX guy! ;-))

We are selling these Proto-Products, like MX machine's, they also have NO warranty, because of there level of performance, just maybe a idea.

This idea is for us complete OpenSource, so ........... Florida is ....... your market!

Regards, Johan