Hi Guys
I thought I would share with you my resurrected Vectrix that has been sitting dead for years now.
It now has 1140 x ICR18650-25C cells (2500mah) in a 30P38S configuration. Total capacity 75ah or about 10.5kw/h
Minimum voltage is 104.5, max is 159.6
I don't really have the right firmware for these parameters (I'm using Lairds firmware for ESD charger 19 Leaf cell - charges to 157V then turns off, and the MC1014bB_70_110_140_CC.hex motor controller which lets me discharge down to 110v, but doesn't allow regen above 140V, which is most of the time) - if anyone has any advice on firmware I'd really appreciate it!
Also, if anyone can advise how to get more power out of it ( I have read that some people get up to 240amps draw from the battery. my max is 208amps at around 140V - approx 28kw. 240A would be nice!!
BMS is an aliexpress 24s bms with bluetooth and 1a balance current (two of these to allow for 38s).
I have given the bike a colour change, it looks lovely I think!
Performance is great, handles really well. I did a 100km ride through the hills, windy roads, and consumed 6kwh. Batteries hardly warmed up at all.
Here it is before the colour change and no batteries...
Removed the panels
Tried to salvage the "electric" decals. I think they are an important feature as far as looks go.
Batteries
Swapped the 125a fuse with a 200a fuse..
Unfortunately I didn't get a pic of them with the connector bus bars at the ends of each module....
Panel preparation
Painted. Colour is Blu Cepheus
Decals re-applied, very lucky to not damage them when removing.
Fully re-assembled
In the Adelaide Hills
With his other friend
Color looks great!
If needed, you can reprint the decalcs!
See here:
Vectrix VX-1 Li+ - Thunderlord
Direct link to the lettering:
Vectrix lettering
Thanks.. I have seen these new style decals. They look like the decals on the new re-released VX1
But how / where to get decals in the original style - metallic silver with black border. I don't think they exist?
I don't need them as my originals still look good.
I do need the rear decal though, the one at the back on the grab handle.
Very nice conversion. I am using a 32 cell 90 ah pack made out of 4 EV modules so about the same capacity as yours. I use the Dugas Engineering free firmware and it has worked very well. I had a different pack that charged to just under 160 volts and the ESD charger handled it fine. I think 160 v is the most the charger can do. You can configure for various numbers of cells and set LVC and regen voltages. Easy to use. As far as increasing the power I doubt that can be done but Dave Dugas would probably know. dugasengineering-com.3dcartstores.com/Vectrix-Support_c_16.html
good luck!
Oh. The amp draw will depend on what pack voltage you are using. When the pack is fully charged you will see less amps for the same power than you will see when the battery is near discharged. The acceleration is always the same no mater what the SOC is so I have always assumed that the controller is limiting watts not amps. The most amps I have seen was 240, but only for a split second. So expect to see the highest amp draw at low SOC. Your pack voltage is more than a stock bike so you would not expect to see as high an amp draw. That is how I understand it but I am no electrical expert.
Thanks scooterguy
Yes I have noticed that the max power is the same at different SOC. It's always around 28KW according to the cycleanalyst.
I've installed dugas firmware and it does seem to control the charger much better for the parameters I need. I like that it can now do CC/CV charging and stops automatically at a defined current (I set it to 1A).
It does have a couple problems on this firmware: I had to set the charge power 1250W. If I set it to 1500W the actual charge power goes up to over 1700W and the charger starts buzzing.... i stopped it immediately. it seems there is about 20% error on the fsetting vs the actual charge power. Also, while charging, the speedometer reads about 8.2 amps when the actual current is 10amps. I am not fussed with this. I left the setting at 1250W, the good thing is that the current is adjusted during the charge ( starts off at over 11A at 130V and then 9A at 155v) to maintain a constant 1500W.
I have set the max charge to 156.5 (4.12v per cell) and it is spot on.
Also the battery gauge isn't right. It goes from full to empty in about 10km. The estimated range is similar... Even though I set the capacity setting to 75ah in the firmware. Its almost as if it thinks the capacity is 7ah.
Other than that the bike is awesome.. i've done 1300km on the li-ions. Range is about 170km, consumption in city is 55wh/km, on open roads about 63wh/km. The good thing is I can ride it to work four times without charging!
The 3 layer pearl really pops in direct sunlight.
Hi Slitt,
Curious about your BMS, Do you have it inline between the batteries to the motor controller carrying the full current or is it just a balance board?
Do you have a link to it and how well does it work?
I am running 2 of the 16 cell Chrysler Pacifica batteries, same as ScooterGuy, although he's got 2s2p while I'm just going 2S for now until I work out the bugs. I would like to add a BMS but don't want to run the current through it. Just looking for a balance board I think although I'm open to suggestions.
I was charging my first pack at 1500 watts and 159.8 volts and the charger drew 1680 watts out of the wall using a watts up meter and no strain on the charger. It was only a 50 ah pack so maybe that makes a difference. Anyway it sounds like it is working well. I have not been able to make the fuel gauge work either. I should ask Dave about it but never get around to it. I just use the voltage and can figure a quarter or a half tank accurately. Yes, I am using gas bike terms but oh well. Took my Vectrix out for a short ride today and also my Honda Silverwing 600 and Brammo Empulse. The Vectrix is my favorite !
I'm curious about your BMS, do you have a link to the one you bought? There's lots of them there. I don't want a BMS that runs the full current through it, Just want it to monitor cell voltages and balance them. In the event that a cell reaches the high or low limit it can switch an output that I can wire into a light/horn and I can take appropriate action. I'm a bit nervous about the full pack voltage being cut to the motor controller then reapplied without an inrush limiter. Am I thinking correctly on this?
Hey Slitt, I am a vextrix owner in Adelaide and still on my original NiMh. I am keen to update my pack as my current range is only just getting me to work and back. If you could give me some advice on where to source new cells, connectors etc I would be grateful.
Good when they work...
Hey Slitt, I'm from Adelaide too and am keen to do a lithium conversion for my bike too. Would you be interested in helping me source the parts required?
Good when they work...