Ebike: Giant Sedona + A123 + WIlderness Energy
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Location:
Oregon
Home page:
Vehicle type and Maker: Bicycle 25-36 volts DeWalt/A123 batteries Giant Sedona Wilderness Energy bd36 brushed motor
Conversion time and cost:
$1000
Seating capacity:
1
Motor:
36v BD Wilderness Energy Brushed
Batteries:
DeWalt 36V packs plus 2 cell A123 "piggy back packs" (~40V total)
Controller:
Wilderness Energy
Drivetrain:
Stock Giant Sedona Shimano
Top speed:
27
Typical range:
17 miles
Number of Wheels:
2
Curb weight:
Miles as an EV:
200
Charger:
DeWalt and homebuilt
Heater:
no
Lighting:
none
Method for 12v system:
Watt-hours per mile:
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Description: Ebike 2.0 Li Chris Beatty My second Ebike is based on a 2006 Giant Sedona ($200) with a few minor alterations. The motor is a Wilderness Energy brushed 36V (BD-36) ($325). The original battery was an 8 Ahr NiMH. Top speed on the flat was about 23-24 mph at first and faded down as the battery drained. After only about 200 miles, it was already losing some range. My commute is 14 miles one way and I don’t like dragging a big pack of nickel uphill. I purchased 5 DeWalt 36V lithium battery packs (~$100 each) which have 10 A123 M cells and a charge controller inside. I tried using one battery pack to see what the range and power would be like. It died immediately. With a bit browsing, I found out that there is a 15A internal fuse. The control module was dead, but the cells were ok. With the four remaining packs, the bike would only go 18-20 mph on the flat because the DeWalt packs are really only 33V (10*3.3V) and this motor really wants 36V or a bit more. So, I broke the fifth pack into five pairs of cells and with some soldering and an in-line 10 A fuse for safety, I made four “piggy-back” packs that are ~40V. I stuffed four of these into the rear bag on the rack. OK, OK it’s not very pretty, but it was my first test. I will try to clean up the wiring. Other stats: |
