Hi folks,
I'm a bit new to this forum but have been reading number of the posts with great interest!
I just wondered whether anyone has seriously looked into remapping or reprogramming the CANbus motor controller on the Vectrix in order to offer a performance upgrade (at the sacrifice of range). I'm not talking fuse-popping performance, I'm just interested to see how the Vectrix is mapped currently and see if a few tweaks to the system can be designed to further enhance the machine's rideablity. For example, being able to overtake a car at 75mph (ok, 70mph is the legal limit!) for a short duration would be most useful here in the UK. Liken it to a chip upgrade or remap FOR a BMW/Audi/whatever - lots of companies offer this kind of service for cars.
I have a 20 mile journey to do to work, most of which is fast country roads where the traffic is quite unrelenting. I'd like to keep up with the traffic rather than slow it down to 62mph!
Any comments or ideas appreciated.
Thanks, Drew
This is how far I got.
It will cost around AU$500.- for hardware and software to start tackling the CanBus.
And I do not know what the chances of success are. Hopefully someone gets around to it soon!
Mr. Mik
This information may be used entirely at your own risk.
There is always a way if there is no other way!
Judging from the "Vectrix Technical Resources" thread's claim that the motor is electronically limited to 5000 rpm, 1000 rpm below the motor's maximum rating, you should safely be able to get up to 74 MPH in (very) short bursts. I would be happy with 5-seconds at 70 mph or, say, 10 seconds at 67 MPH, and look forward to seeing info on reprogramming the controller. I agree with Drew that this is a safety issue when passing and/or getting clear of other vehicles on the highway, it stinks to set up a maneuver and hit the 62 MPH "wall" at the point of execution.
I'd love to see some discussion of what's possible on the CANBUS today. Anyone done any reverse engineering yet? Is it password protected, or can you actually see and/or send data on the bus? It would be nice to know this before investing in the adaptor.
Thanks for any and all info,
Arlo
Arlo,
What you say is interesting Arlo, my one main reason for joining this forum was to try and find out as much as I can about the CANBUS and motor controller. I don't see why the design speed of the motor should be restricted even to 6000 rpm - surely this is a 'design standard' rather than what the motor is physically capable of? An example; although entirely different technology, but not hugely different it terms of physical size, my washing machine universal motor is capable of 50,000rpm.
Now, that would give a huge speed increase - 620mph is much more like it! The point I am trying to make here is that the limitations as to motor speed are much more likely to do with the motor controller's current carrying/switching ability and rapid reduction in range. This sort of thing is set according to intensive testing in hot and cold conditions to ensure that all parts of the bike don't get too hot and suffer damage as a result. Here in windy and wet England, where we haven't had anything like a summer so far, these 'Sahara desert capability' settings could potentially be tweaked a bit to offer the performance we are looking for without causing things to overheat or explode! After all, it IS possible - you've only got to see what Vectrix are working on with their e-superbike ideas.
I also had heard that someone in the US had already done some reprogramming to de-restrict the current model of bike. Does anyone know anything about this?
Drew
No, definitely not on V. And there seems to be very little by Vectrix users elsewhere.
My first aim would be to record the standard settings for everything programmable on the Vectrix before making any changes.
Particularly the encoder programming, current restriction curve and charging algorithms.
The first priority for changes would be to add extra cooling for the battery, programmed recharging times and lessening of the power restriction below 45km/h.
Then I would look at increasing top speed, but strictly time limited to a few seconds for passing or merging onto highways. Maybe 10s or so.
Mr. Mik
This information may be used entirely at your own risk.
There is always a way if there is no other way!
10000 klms to date
costing me
$130 electricity
$94 rear tyre
$80 speeding fine.
3 cents per klm
Ya can't complain about that
Hey Mik you changed your brake lines across yet,
V motor is capable of 150kph so get to it guys, and find a way,
I'll be the first to buy that tweaker software,
Waiting for the next Vectrix into Tassy and that will be four, we'll form a gang called "WILD SPARKS"
V motor is capable of 150kph so get to it guys, and find a way
[/quote]
Hi eyeinthesky,
What have you been told about the motor being capable of driving the bike at 150kph? - that's just over 90mph! Wow, if I could achieve that sort of speed or anything approaching it, that'd be great. More research required I think!
Drew
Drew
The motor is capable,
whether the Battery, fuse or controller can handle it is another story
..... start researching!
This look like he did something . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiPjMwzg0JE I dont Know if I could get mine to do this even on wet . he may have souped under the rear tire ,or he changed the programing.
Happy riding, Herb
Just my unsolicited opinion, but to make the Vectrix outdo it's designed limitations just seems to be defeating its purpose. If you make it go faster, you are killing your range (something I see lots of complaints about already), and if you need a few seconds of unrestricted speed for passing, you're going too fast anyway! :-)
It's a SCOOTER, for goodness sakes!
When I'm on my Harley, I like the power, and the speed, but when I'm just going to work on my scooter, I tend to get behind the slower traffic and just chill out, even when I know the Vectrix could pass them. Why bother? it's only three miles to work! HAHA!! :-)
Hi moccasin,
You see, I don't have the luxury of a Harley, you lucky individual!
I don't mind sacrificing range for speed. Surely it's got to be better just to have the extra speed capability, even if I choose not to use it normally. It's just that it would be there should I need it! I have rather more than three miles to get to work - twenty miles to be precise so I do need to be a bit careful about how I drive to work. It's entirely different when I just want to jump on the bike to go and see a pal at the weekend who lives five miles down the road. I'd like to travel with a huuuuuuuuuuuuge grin on my face because I've just blown the cobwebs away using my modified electric beast of a Vectrix...
Onwards and upwards and derestricted, well maybe one day!
Drew
Yup, I hear what you're saying about the rest of the kit but how do you actually know that the motor is capable of this? Sorry, I don't mean to labour the point but I'm looking to research this and need evidence!
Thanks again!
Drew
Hi My trip to work is 20 mile , 13 of it I do at 60 + mph some light in the other 7 miles. and have just under 1/2 bars when I get to work. are you low when you get to work.
I would also like to go 70 mph to pass . every coulpe of week there is someone going 45mph and backing up traffic . I just sit and relax but people are racing by with car coming the other way . it would be nice to pass . and not have people trying to pass more the one person. they cut out very close to me it would be safer if I could go passed. ones and a while I will pass If you time it right it will go 68 mph . the motor cuts out but you keep gaining speed from the good excleration . but you better be passed so you can pull in becouse there is usally someone on my tail.
Happy riding. Herb