ZAP DX ~ looking for spare motors, or source.

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augidog
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ZAP DX ~ looking for spare motors, or source.

hi everyone. i've been riding motor-assisted bicycles since 2006. i travel long distance, so i've never been able to utilize an Electric-Assisted Bicycle, altho i once cobbled together a "tri-brid" using a Currie US ProDrive in tandem with a Golden Eagle.

phooey, i can't figure out attachments, so if you'd like to know more about what i do, this is my personal ad-free site: http://mb-rambler.mysite.com/

anyways, i've snagged a ZAP DX, and need info and/or parts.

i'm interested in scoring spare used motors, or learning where new replacements can be had.

augidog
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Re: ZAP DX ~ looking for spare motors, or source.

sorry for the double-post.

i gotta tellya now, honestly...as a long-time user of forums, i don't care much for this software or format.

augidog
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Re: ZAP DX ~ looking for spare motors, or source.

geez, that didn't come out right. i love the forum's mission, i'm sure i'll like the folks i meet, the software interface is very uncomfortable & i don't like it, that's what i meant.

thing is, now i have this used/complete DX setup, and i see huge potential for it in my specific "genre"...as reliable onboard lighting, as the perfect boost to my 50cc belt-drive, and as a marvelous stand-alone. i've stripped the bicycle down to use only the DX while i shake out the bugs and otherwise improve or adapt it to my style.

my first "tweak" is mechanical...the original drive was intended for a 1.5" tire, i run 26 X 2.0 continental moped tires. i've commissioned a custom roller 2.5" long, that was an easy fix. my custom stretch frame can accommodate 2 additional 12v 18a batteries, for a total of 56ah...so i'll be loaded for bear.

since i'm diving right in, and am permanently integrating this into my only transportation, i figure to also get started on collecting some spare motors.

i would completely dig finding a couple of the larger "SX" motors.

can anybody dig up any of these motors for me?

thanks for looking.

reikiman
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Re: ZAP DX ~ looking for spare motors, or source.

The ZAP DX motors were derived from REVCOR motors used as a wiper motor on some cars.

I got started with a ZAP DX kit back in 1995. Are you sure this is what you want? Why not add a hub motor to your existing ride?

augidog
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Re: ZAP DX ~ looking for spare motors, or source.

hi, reikiman.

my bicycle is anything but typical, my (drum-brake) hubs are salvaged from a 1982 AMF/roadmaster moped, 10G spokes front, 9G rear. no way i ever modify or get rid of the strongest bicycle wheels on the planet. and the bike's very heavy overall, single-speed steel crank, whizzer front end, large vintage moped saddle, '80 honda hobbit taillight, purpose-built for serious & safe motorizing. oh, and the homebuilt single-wheel trailer with shockster suspension. the contraption's an eleven foot long collection of old bicycle and moped parts, and i love her for all she's done for me.

the DX, being "vintage", fits right in with my & my bike's attitude, and it's very non-intrusive. i've studied a lot in the last few days, and have just today learned about revcor's role. i've been to their site, inquiries will be made, thanks for confirmation that they be the ones.

my new roller is going to as nice as any friction roller can be, and i expect to tweak the swinging-torque aspect of the DX into my current style...you see, i may be motorized, but i consider myself motor-assisted...i like pedaling, within my moderate capabilities, and there's a couple passes in the northern cascades that pushed me and the 2hp engine to our limits, the extra .5hp for a few miles would have been perfect. plus, i live for serious lighting, and have carried the currie battery pack and charger for years only for that purpose...with this new arrangement i add regeneration and electric-assist. i know the specs and limitations of the DX system, i'm ok with it, and consider myself lucky to have found it.

i won't be using it, but i also got the NiteRider Digital Patrol/siren combo, a way-old version which still works, so i'm almost positive this kit came off a S & W bicycle.

boy, i can go on...'specially when i'm into something new :)

augidog
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Re: ZAP DX ~ looking for spare motors, or source.

confirmed info, for me anyways...the DX motors are "cooling fan" motors, and the line is still in use, from oem automotive to high performance marine applications.

the trail went from Revcor to DCM Manufacturing, who bought the product line. all sorts of 12v & 24v motors are available, including a 225w marine-standard version. i like these motors a lot, and am thinking i may use 3 or 4 in a freewheeled daisy-chain for a real simple multi-speed 12v setup. i like real simple.

anyone care to tell me simple, do you know if the ZAP Controller board will handle regeneration of anything other than SLA batteries?

reikiman
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Re: ZAP DX ~ looking for spare motors, or source.

The controller board is just this little postage stamp of a board with very few components as I recall, and was designed in the early 90's long before anything other than lead was available. That said, lead and lithium follow a similar charging algorithm so I suppose it'll be safe with lithium cells so long as you don't try to fill the pack completely using regen.

augidog
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Re: ZAP DX ~ looking for spare motors, or source.

thanks, i think i'm going to go with one 12v20ah sla for now, and assess the motors potential before i go any further. even if it's no good for driving the bike, it will still make a great self-sustaining lighting system.

washington state has recently made gas-powered bicycles legal "mopeds" and requires more documentation than most motorized bicycles can produce.

so...i figure (read: hope) i can use the gas/belt drive as an onboard generator, park the bike and hook up the belt to drive the wheel, set a high idle, and let the ZAP recharge itself. i can get ahold of a 35cc Robin Subaru 4-stroke (epa/carb) that can idle forever on a tank of gas.

is there any way to auto-monitor the rate and state of charge during regen, or will this be a manual (stop & check) process?

thanks for your help.

augidog
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Re: ZAP DX ~ looking for spare motors, or source.

ok, i got some more of it figured out...the "controller" barely qualifies as one...it's just a few on/off relays, i'm experienced with automotive electrics, so i think i'll be alright with this. i'll just make a separate regulated charging harness if this project gets that far.

augidog
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Re: ZAP DX ~ looking for spare motors, or source.

32cc Golden Eagle Bike Engine / Currie US-ProDrive. 28mph/165mpg gasoline, 16mph/10mi electric, 12mph survival-pace-pedal...trust me, it was a hoot showing off how i could use all 3 modes on the fly.

augidog
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Re: ZAP DX ~ looking for spare motors, or source.

arrgh...

augidog
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Re: ZAP DX ~ looking for spare motors, or source.
Hanseca
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Re: ZAP DX ~ looking for spare motors, or source.

I have a zap motor and circuit board. I don't know much about it but we jumped the motor to a battery and it works. Looking to sell it. I got it off an Electra bike I bought

Briggs31
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Re: ZAP DX ~ looking for spare motors, or source.

Nice one.

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