Currie Lightning FS

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mose
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Currie Lightning FS

I found this scooter and at first glance I like the beefed up suspension and the wide frame for battery modification.

I want to beef up the motor and batteries in hopes of getting 20+ mph and 8 mile riding distance on fairly flat terrain with the max weight capacity of 250lbs.

Any suggestions would be appriciated...

mose (newbe)

mose
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Re: Currie Lightning FS

I replaced the 12v 10.5ah batteries and went for a test run. It was moving along at ~12 mph when I engaged the brake which dis-engaged the motor. When I tried to increase the speed the motor was stuck in freewheeling mode. It took 3 or 4 clutches on the brake to get it to engage again. After it engaged I heard and felt a clunk in the drivetrain or the motor; I not sure.

I bought a 3rd battery, wired it in but the scooter would not even turn on. So here I am looking for advice. Anyone ever had one of these scooters? Did you upgrade it or scrap it?

What type motor would you put on it and will the thumb throttle need to be replaced?

Mose

mose
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Re: Currie Lightning FS

Does anyone know where the controller is on this scooter?

What would happen if I put a car battery on it?

Like I mentioned earlier it is a nice suspension with shocks on both front forks and a rear shock inside a spring on the back that can be tightened or loosened for comfort.

I think there are some possabilities here, I just don't want to spend a lot of time p-ing in the wind if anyone can enlighten me.

Thanks in advance for any help...
Mose

e-doggies
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Re: Currie Lightning FS

Mose,

You can't find the controller because it is internal to the motor and designed for 24V. Overvolting an internal controller can damage it. Does your motor still run at 24V ?

An easy mod is the PowerPackMotors motor/controller for about $300+. Bolts directly where your old motor is. You'd need to find someplace to mount the controller. You could use your existing throttle. Controller/motor will run on 36V or 48V. Also capable of running at 24V. You'll need a way to charge your 36V pack, too.

If you do the PP motor, you might as well go with 48V. You will need as many Watthours as you can carry. Have you considered LiFe batteries?

A brushed 36V 1000A motor that is overvolted to 48V with a 48V 50-100A controller would be another option. You would need a Hall-Effect throttle for the cheaper brushed controllers.

There's lots of options. You have a good stand-up platform to build on. The Currie scooters are fun to ride. Just depends on how much you want to spend.

Sounds like your brake lever is not returning completely. Make sure the pivot point is clean and lubricated and that nothing is dragging anywhere... otherwise, it sounds like it's doing what it's supposed to. The "clunk" you heard/felt happened because you had the throttle partially open when the brake switch finally signalled the controller to send power to the motor. The motor started to spin-up until it caught up with the speed of the chain and then ... clunk!

mose
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Re: Currie Lightning FS

Ok, one more question.

What would a bigger sprocket do for the scooter?

I found info about a Power Pack Kit that comes with an optional sprocket 12, 13, 15 or 19 inch.

For a grand total of $512.79

mose
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Re: Currie Lightning FS

Thanks e-doggies

Sounds like I was on a simultanious trail or maybe seperate trails but we both came up the the samr conclusion.

Thanks again for the brake advice...Sounds logical.

I will post again when I get it done or if I need some advice during the build.

V-For Voltage,
Mose

e-doggies
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Re: Currie Lightning FS

It all adds up. That's from Superkids, right? Includes 48V charger, two batteries, and a 19T sprocket? I'd definitely get the motor/controller from them (since Tim seems to have "gone fishin'"), but might look around for other options on a 48V charger and batteries. If you have a 15T freewheel clutch on the motor shaft of your old motor, you could transfer it to the new motor and run stock gearing at first. That should get you over 20mph with acceptable acceleration, and eliminate the need to mess with changing the chain length. Cuts $35 off the total, too.

A motor sprocket with more teeth will make the scooter go faster on top end, but you will sacrifice some acceleration. Going from 15T to 19T is a pretty good jump, in fact, I'd be concerned that 19T would be too fast. Motor sprockets for #25 chain are available from 11-16T, but would give you direct drive (no freewheeling) unless you replaced the REAR screw-on stock 90T sprocket, with a freewheel hub and bolt-on sprocket.

Keep us updated on your progress (a blog?) and make sure you get lots of pics during tear-down and re-build. A video when you're done would be awesome, too!

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