Initial impressions on my new eFun-D

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no3rdseat
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Initial impressions on my new eFun-D

Hi all-

I've been lurking for a while until I felt like I had something to contribute. Now I do! :) I've been riding motorbikes for years and I've had many bikes between 50cc and 1000cc. I did the math and figured 3000w would be around 5hp so I wasn't expecting it to be fast or even quick. I was right. BUT... it does run well, and it keeps up with normal traffic just fine. When you read things like "top speed is 55mph" make sure they tell you how many days it takes to get to the top speed. :)

Last Thursday I took delivery of a new red eFun-D 60V 3000w VSLA scooter. It is a Chinese "prototype" so there is no documentation, PDI, or parts network in the US. Yes, I'm taking a big chance with this bike but the dealer I got it from has been very helpful and willing to help every step along the way. Nothing has a brand name on it except the batteries and they are 50aH BB batteries.

First impressions, I LOVE THIS BIKE!! It's totally silent and happily passes all gas stations! :) I got it up to 47mph in 20 degree weather and only slowed down because of traffic in front of me. It may hit 50+ when the weather warms up. I've driven it to work three days this week so far (30 miles/day) and it's proving to perfect for my commute. There are lots of rolling hills and turns... the bike handles OK and accelerates a bit better than a 50cc scooter. Bottom end power is adequate but steep inclines are troublesome. The difference between this bike and a 50cc gas scooter is that there is a good amount of torque on the bottom end. And when I have it full throttle I don't feel like this electric bike's going to have a heart attack and die. It always feels smooth and quiet even at it's max limit. Cornering is heavy and twitchy as all the batteries are in the bottom which makes the bike want to stand up straight through turns. Shipping crate weighed 398 pounds but I suspect 48lbs of that was the carton. Having said that, it doesn't generally FEEL like a big heavy bike. It still feels like a smaller scooter.

I built a bank charger and wired it all up last Sunday. All five batteries hold a charge of 13.1 volts except one and it maxes out at 12.1 volts. It's charger errors out and gives an F03 code which means "Internal Open Cell/ Sulphated Condition". Hopefully the factory will make good on it's 6 month parts warranty and replace it. Those 50aH batteries aren't cheap. So I'm bank charging at home and string charging at work. At work I use a timer and set it for 2.5 hours as per usatracy's recommendation so as not to over charge the four good batteries while the slow one is coming up.

When I got the bike it was missing a trim piece from the front end and there was some lower body damage from shipping but my distributor and the factory have promised to make good on getting me replacement parts. They've recently stiffened the suspension and it's quite firm now. Feels good even with my wife on the back.

If the bike keeps running like it has this week, I'll be one happy camper. I'm sure I've left a lot out so let me know if anyone has any questions.

-Rick Stewart

jdh2550_1
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Re: Initial impressions on my new eFun-D

Glad to hear you like your bike. I'm surprised that the EFun-D isn't a bit quicker than that. I have a lowly little XM2K - and you only have 5mph on top of me (maybe 8mph if you do top 50). Mind you although there is a rear seat I can't imagine going 2 up on this - it's tiny (your EFunD is a bit bigger).

Keep us posted on how it goes...

John H. Founder of Current Motor Company - opinions on this site belong to me; not to my employer
Remember: " 'lectric for local. diesel for distance" - JTH, Amp Bros || "No Gas.

DonCristobal
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Re: Initial impressions on my new eFun-D

From whom did you purchase the scooter and for how much? Don't include the tax and licensing.

Thanks for the detailed review. I'm also glad that you're an experienced motorcycle rider, that helps put things in perspective.

Don Cristobal
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Ohm is where the heart is.

LinkOfHyrule
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Re: Initial impressions on my new eFun-D

Bad luck on that bad battery. You should see a good jump in performance when you replace it.

If you're bank charging, why are you setting a timer? Each battery is independent from the rest of the string while doing this (whole point of it), unless I haven't read Tracy's posts closely enough. (Unlikely, but possible.)

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no3rdseat
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Re: Initial impressions on my new eFun-D

Will do John. I'll keep the list updated on any and all problems or joys I encounter since this is a relatively new model in the US market. I have actually seen this exact bike pictured in a video on YouTube featuring a gas engine!! I assume eFun is getting rolling chassis from another of their parent corporations holdings and converting them to electric. That's just a guess on my part but I searched for "Jiangmen Huari Group Co., LTD" which is the name on my certificate of origin and was able to find several Chinese gas scooters that looked very similar to my eFun.

-Rick

Ben
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Re: Initial impressions on my new eFun-D

No LinkOfHyrule.. You just misread this post.. He said that he used a timer at work where he is using the normal string charger.

I would agree with LinkofHyrule here and say the performance should be better with the battery replaced. I know I am hitting 85km/h InCite on flat and 90km/h or more on any sort of slight decline. Even hit 85km/h with 160kg on board.

no3rdseat
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Re: Initial impressions on my new eFun-D

Don-

I bought it through Daniel Cardenas at www.fun-ev.com . Price was $2500.00 in November when I purchased it. I think it's gone up a couple of hundred dollars since then. There's also a lifepo4 version but it's up around $4200.00. That was more than I wanted to spend. I was going to build an electric motorcycle, but for $2500 I got a fully functioning e-bike that I didn't have to turn a wrench to. :)

My current motorcycle is a Ninja 250. The eFun is definitely a few notches down in performance and quality from the Kawasaki. But I can live with that for now. :)

no3rdseat
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Re: Initial impressions on my new eFun-D

That would be nice. Not looking forward to replacing the battery as it's really wedged under the frame and not much space to grab hold of it. Just couldn't have been the one that's easy to get hold of could it? ;)

I'm bank charging at home but using the string charger and timer at work. Trying not to let it go below 50% charge. Seems to be a good plan so far.

Rick

no3rdseat
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Re: Initial impressions on my new eFun-D

Ben-

Your website is going to be great when it's done! I like the Italian feel. Too bad I can't get one of your "Kawasaki Green" InCites here in the US. I LOVE that color!

Will the performance be that much better with just an extra volt?

-Rick

DanCar
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Re: Initial impressions on my new eFun-D

Rick do I remember correctly that you said your battery meter is at 3/4 when you get to work? What is your average speed? If true that is much better than my bike. :-)

Ben
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Re: Initial impressions on my new eFun-D

Rick,

The performance should be more.... Spirited when freshly and fully charged, but then settle down to normal going. I am somewhat assuming that the dud battery you have may not be delivering as it should either. Not just that it wont retain the charge given to it. Certainly the performance should be better than you describe. On one test I did... The InCite with 160kg on board, I had no problem getting to 85km/h and would only slow to 75ish when I was climbing a moderate slope.

Lithium would definitely be the way to go when your batteries give up though. A 50kg saving is a 50kg saving not to mention the higher initial pack voltage (19 x 3.8 = 72.2v, or 21 x 3.8 = 79.8v for Lithium v's 5 x 13.1 = 65.5v AGM). As you may have noticed the performance does taper off somewhat as the pack is depleted. Well start with a high pack voltage and you have better performance for longer too.

I love the green InCite too. It will be one of the colour offerings.

LinkOfHyrule
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Re: Initial impressions on my new eFun-D

"He said that he used a timer at work where he is using the normal string charger."

LOL, guess so :P.

Rick,

It's not so much that extra volt as its indicator of the battery's condition. When that battery is in use, it's dragging the rest of them down. It's voltage is probably sagging badly, and it likely is having adverse effects on your current draw.

I have a bad battery that rests at 11.5V full charge. If you apply so much as 3A on it, it sags all the way down to a measly 5V! Now, your's isn't this bad, but you get the idea. Extra volt = healthier battery = better performance.

P.S.: Is it just me or is this place really busy today?

The author of this post isn't responsible for any injury, disability or dismemberment, death, financial loss, illness, addiction, hereditary disease, or any other undesirable consequence or general misfortune resulting from use of the "information" contai

no3rdseat
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Re: Initial impressions on my new eFun-D

Hi Daniel-

Average speed is between 25-40 for roughly 15 miles. The needle sits at 3/4 "tank" when I'm stopped and at work before charging. But before that, after about 10 miles on a full charge the gauge draws down to the red with the accelerator wide open.

no3rdseat
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Re: Initial impressions on my new eFun-D

Thanks LinkofHyrule and Ben-

Daniel says the B&B batteries are warrantied for 1 year so I'll be getting a new battery to replace the bad one soon. It'll be exciting to get more performance out of this bike.

-Rick

DanCar
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Re: Initial impressions on my new eFun-D

Just a clarification: BB battery on their website says they are warranties for a year from manufacturers defects. Less than great customer service, but I've asked Rick to contact BB to see if he activate this warranty.

no3rdseat
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Re: Initial impressions on my new eFun-D

Update-

This morning it was 25 degrees outside. I rode 10 miles before I reached a long straight flat road. I was able to get up to 51mph (indicated) on the flat. I think once I get a new battery and the weather warms up a bit, my range and speed should increase.

-Rick

Mountain chen
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Re: Initial impressions on my new eFun-D

Rick,Chinese speed meter is not accurate,our speed on panel can reach 61mph,see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_HJhNYs34g

What about its climbing ability ? how many degree slope could be stop and start ?

For such heavy scooter,torque is more important than speed.slope_0.jpg

Ben
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Re: Initial impressions on my new eFun-D

What Mountain says is correct and not correct.. The speedo on scooters out of china (or anywhere really) can be inaccurate. Then there are other suppliers of the same or similar speedos that make them accurate or at least much more accurate. For any speedo attached to a motorcycle class scooter in Australia for example, the speedo must be accurate to with a certain percentage otherwise it will not comply. I think Dan had compared his bike in a test against a roadside speed indicator sign and it was ok.(from memory)

jdh2550_1
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Re: Initial impressions on my new eFun-D

Ben / Dan,

Do you know if there are any regulations that make it undesirable to use a digital speedo with a magnetic pickup (like a bicycle speedo)?

I'm always surprised that most all these bikes appear to have a mechanical speedo. Wouldn't it be cheaper and easier to calibrate a digital speedo with magnetic pickup? Or is it against Australian or US standards?

John H. Founder of Current Motor Company - opinions on this site belong to me; not to my employer
Remember: " 'lectric for local. diesel for distance" - JTH, Amp Bros || "No Gas.

Ben
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Re: Initial impressions on my new eFun-D

John,

I have a scooter with a digital speedo right now.. I am changing it to mechanical for two reasons.
1. The aesthetics do not suit the scooter it is on. So this point is just a style issue.
2. You cant see it in the sunlight.. lol.. I am serious. The only time it can be read is at night with the nice backlight happening.. There may be better versions that would be visible, but I have not followed up due to point 1.

There is no real reason it could not have one, but I am sure the standards will dictate that it must be able to be seen.

no3rdseat
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Re: Initial impressions on my new eFun-D

I agree Ben-

I had a Kymco Grand Vista with a digital display. I couldn't see it sometimes in really bright sunlight... and it was about 5% off as well.

Call me old school, but I like analog gauges and knobs on my radio. :)

-Rick

no3rdseat
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Re: Initial impressions on my new eFun-D

Ready for this? Turns out I had a bad charger in my bank charger. I used a multimeter to check each individual battery and they all read 13.4. I put them on the bank charger and the displays showed 13.1 volts on all but one and the one showed 11.9 volts. I suspect that the bad charger was calibrated wrong or a component was out of spec and the charger never thought it's battery was up to the proper voltage and kept charging until it timed out and reported an error. So I replaced the charger in question and now they all read 13.2 with a full charge.

I have to give credit to Aileen Tian at eFun, Daniel Cardenas, and Randall Martin and rmartinbikes.com. They all have been a great group to work with on my ALLEGED battery problem. Aileen was prepared to send me a new battery before I found a charger to be at fault. I definitely get the impression that the folks at eFun are planning to be around for a while. :)

-Rick

no3rdseat
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Re: Initial impressions on my new eFun-D

Mountain Chen-

I agree that on a heavy bike torque is important. But to me where I live, top speed is equally important. Have you been able to combine speed and torque into one motor? Is your motor available for purchase?

Thanks
Rick

Mountain chen
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Re: Initial impressions on my new eFun-D

Ok,we would like to seperately sell you motor/controller so that you may compare the difference with Efun D,it is Usd400/set FOB China

no3rdseat
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Re: Initial impressions on my new eFun-D

OK Mr Chen. Contact me at rstewart [at] iaff.org . I'd like to try your motor and controller and report back here so folks can hear the difference between the two.

Thanks
Rick

Mountain chen
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Re: Initial impressions on my new eFun-D

Ok,I have sent mail to you.

Tracy already independ testing of my 10" wheel motor and thanks for your testing on 13" wheel motor.

ratatouille
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Re: Initial impressions on my new eFun-D

I'm bank charging at home ...

So you remove all the (heavy) batteries from the scooter ??

Can you post picture of the process ?

Do you have to unscrew parts of the scooter ?

thanks,

Jean-François

Jean-François

no3rdseat
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Re: Initial impressions on my new eFun-D

Jean-Francois-

You don't have to remove the bottom four batteries on mine, but the 5th battery on top needs to be removed. This DOES involve removing almost all of the body panels to give you access to the battery terminals.

Sorry I really didn't take any detailed pictures...only one or two showing what the scoot looks like with no skin.

DonCristobal
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Re: Initial impressions on my new eFun-D

I rode a different variation of the EFun-D and the speedo was spot on.

Could either DanCar or No3rdseat post an image of the documentation that comes with the bike? Obviously you can blur out the private information. I would like to see what comes with the bike, whether it says it is a motorcycle or not, and all those little details.

My big concern with the E-fun D is not it's performance or reliability, but rather the legal details with respect to registration in CA and insurance.

One more question, what's your top speed with a slight grade? (2 or 3 percent)

Thanks.

Don Cristobal
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Ohm is where the heart is.

no3rdseat
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Re: Initial impressions on my new eFun-D

Hi Don-

If someone could tell me how to upload photos to this forum I might be able to put something up. But I think the information you need from the Certificate of Origin is that it is a "Motor Driven Cycle", it's listed as 4.0hp, and Engine number is listed as N/A.

I'm working through some issues right now in regards to top speed (my rear caliper is sticking) so I cant give you an accurate number on the top speed. If it's any consolation, it's hard for me to get a top speed reading because there's always a car in front of me slowing me down. :)

Mik
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Re: Initial impressions on my new eFun-D

Hi Don-

If someone could tell me how to upload photos to this forum I might be able to put something up.

Underneath the text entry area is says:

Insert image or link.
You may use [view:viewname] tags to display listings of nodes.
.......

Click on >>Image<<, the rest will be clear.

Mik

This information may be used entirely at your own risk.

There is always a way if there is no other way!

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