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Merida modifications?

Submitted by deronmoped on Tue, 12/25/2007 - 08:49.

Helps if I post this in the correct forum:)

I just picked up a Merida 550 at a yard sale, it was cheap at $50.00. Being a 2002 model and not taken care of by the owner the batteries were shot, even though you could see by the tires the bike only had a few miles on it. Could not get the original 12V 9Ah batteries, but I found some Power Sonic 6V 9Ah batteries that I could stuff in the case. I'm guessing this is a good brand of battery from the information on the internet about them.

Took the bike out for a ride around town and found it to be quite fun, did not seem to add a ton of extra power, but knowing battery technology today did not expect miracles. I do like to modify things though, so I was wondering what are some of the things that people are doing to their bikes.

Thanks, Deron.
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Re: Merida modifications?

Submitted by cerewa on Thu, 04/03/2008 - 19:32.

Make sure you're not under-volting the bike, that will make it seem weak.

(if you wire them up correctly, you can get the same voltage out of a set of 6v batteries that you got out of a set of 12v batteries, but I don't even know what your target voltage is)

... another thing to consider is batteries that tolerate high discharge really well. Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries are usually a good deal for the money and they tend to maintain their voltage when used at high discharge rates.

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chas_stevenson's picture

Re: Merida modifications?

Submitted by chas_stevenson on Sun, 04/06/2008 - 08:26.

I made some modifications to my Merida and now have a second one which I plan to do a similar modification to. The second Merida I have installed a 7-speed internal hub. I also will be using DeWalt Batteries not Lead. The modifications will be very much the same as far as the remainder of the bike goes. I did replace the handlebars with some 8" rise freestyle handlebars to give me a more upright sitting position and I also replaced the seat with a more comfortable one for my backside.

Here are the modification I made.


The controller can be found here.
Throttles are here.

I used the Brake Levers with the metal levers and built-in brake switch. There are several to choose from here.
 
I am not affiliated with the any off site links. If you can find similar parts please feel free to use them. These are the parts I used.
I did not include the batteries. You will need a 36 Volt Battery Pack, your choice.

This conversion could also be done using a 24 Volt controller and batteries.

  • Step 1: Remove the shifter from the right handlebar.
  • Step 2: Remove both left and right hand brakes.
  • Step 3: Place new hand brakes on the handlebar and adjust brakes. Adjusting the brakes is important due to the difference in the hand brake geometry.
  • Step 4: Place the shifter on the left handlebar. (This is to leave the right side for the throttle.)
  • Step 5: Place the throttle on the right handlebar.
  • Step 6: Be sure you have everything adjusted to your liking and tighten.

    My Conversion
    cost 3 years ago.
    $ 33.95
    $ 22.95
    $ 14.95
    $ 14.95
    $ 29.95
    $ 3.95
    =======
    $126.70
    $ 8.00 + SHIPPING
    =======
    $134.70 Total
  • Step 7: Remove the lower left cover from the bike. Note there are 2 screws holding this cover on, take care not to loose the small nut in the lower housing cover.

  • Step 8: Remove to old controller. There are 2 small nuts on the backside. They can be reached with a nut driver if you let some air out of the rear tire.
  • Step 9: unplug all the connectors from the old controller. You should not remove the 2 sensors on the bottom of the gear housing. This would allow dirt and gravel to get into the gearbox. Just tuck their wires up out of the way.
  • Step 10: Mount the new controller. There is a hole in the frame where the old controller was mounted that should work fine.
Now it's time to connect the electronics.

Follow the diagram and connect each of the connections.

_________Required_________
Throttle
Key switch or Power switch
Battery connection
Motor connection
__________________________
_________Optional__________

Brake Levers
Tail Light (Brake Light)
_________________________
Now put the covers on and ride.

Grandpa Chas S.

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Moderator Captain

 Type of Bike    Battery   Amp  Motor  Internal Hub Range Top Speed
or Trike Voltage  Hours  Watts  Transmission   Miles   Kilometers   MPH   KPH 
Merida 1 36 Lead (AGM) 12 400 4-Speed 18 29 23 37
Adult Trike 36 Lead (AGM) 24 350 3-Speed 30 48 14 23
Merida 2 36 (5P 12S A123) 11.5 400 7-speed 30 48 30 48

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