I was thinking that a way to fully experiment with the range of the vectrix without a need to load it on a truck when one gets struck would be to carry a small generator to do a 30-60min recharge to make it back home. Honda for example makes the EU2000i, an inverter unit made for camping, ultra quite at 55db produces 2000watt peak 1600 watt continuos and weighs only 47 lbs. Run for a long time on a gallon of gas. Has anyone tried that? Also, just to be completly crazy, could one have this mounted on the back of the bike and charge while riding. Kind of like an extended range hybrid??
Who's online
There are currently 0 users online.
Who's new
- eric01
- Norberto
- sarim
- Edd
- OlaOst
Support V is for Voltage
yes the generator does charge the bike but it runs at flat out about 90 % on eco mode but i dont know if you can charge and ride i will give it ago
Riding whilst charging will not work without extensive modifications to the core safety systems of the Vectrix.
And it is not a good idea, anyway!
You have to always consider the possibility of a crash, ending up lying in a puddle with the scooter on top of you.
Regarding charging the scooter with a generator in general:
Be very careful, just because it worked once does not mean it is not going to destroy your charger very soon.
I do not fully understand the ins and outs of it, but you need a true sine wave generator.
Modified sine wave or square wave generators would apparently overheat the charger.
This information may be used entirely at your own risk.
There is always a way if there is no other way!
I charged with the 2000i it struggles on the inverter or econ mode, it wont start up unless another appiance is connected and flat out will use fuel up quickly
I got a 2700i Yamaha and does a nice job, but only way to charge while riding will be to plumb into the 150v battery terminals
via a rectifyer or a rewound 155v generator. bike might need 3500w-4000w while traveling at 100kph to break even thou,
extra wieght might overheat the electrics after a few hours,
Your charger is going to draw 1800 watts.
With only a 1600 watt generator, something's gonna burn up soon.
Hi
I have use a 3500 w generac to charge at my cabin , my solar panels are not big enuff .
It works fine ,I do as you said about 45 min . it give me enuff to get where I need to.
I have done it 5 or 6 time this past summer and charger still working fine.
Inverters should be sine wave , not a modifed sine wave or square wave.
Happy riding , Herb
The Honda EU2000i is actually a true sine wave inverter generator and produces very clean power. It does hold at 1800 Watt for 30 minutes according to the manual but would prefer 1600 Watt max for longer periods of time. It is small enough to mount on the bracket where the GI case would mount behind the seat. Just a thought. Increase in weight would be small.
Well:
for those of you interested in this solution, here it is. Call me crazy but my objective was to figure out a way to retrieve my bike if I run out of power. The Honda EU2000i weighs 47lbs and runs on a gallon for about 5 hours. It is rated at less than 60db hence relatively quiet. Here's the verdict. The generator manages to charge to bike not only for 30 minutes but all the way. You get about 1 mile per 4 minutes of charging. Lets assume you are stranded 5 miles from home, have a loved one put the generator in the trunk and bring it to you. Plug her in for 20-30 minutes. Strap her on the rear seat and drive yourself home. Alterantively, what I did in this picture wa sdriving with the generator on board and exploring new routes without worrying whether I will make it back. Sure adds about 50lbs of weight but unless it is all uphill the range penality is acceptable. In fact I barely noticed a change in the range.
Strap it on a little more forward and it could double as a backrest! :-)
That's pretty kewl, Harry! Of course, it totally blows the "green" factor when someone has to burn gas to bring you a gas burning generator, but hey, when you're stuck, you're stuck! :-)
"Hi Honey! I shouldn't have tried to wheelie all the way up that last hill. Would you be so kind as to bring me the generator and a coke, and start dinner just a little later tonight?" HAHA!! ;-)
Definately a kewl backup, and should do just fine until Vectrix comes out with an onboard telescoping windturbine! :-)
Hope all is well and your holidays were good, my friend!
I knew it - Honda would sort it out one day! HAHA!
Good job trying it out, thanks.
I would add hookup points at the seat rail attachment points to take the load off the seat rail and make it more secure.
If I ever get a good grip on the Vectux (meaning full access to Canbus etc so I can realistically expect to be able to repair it) then I might add a fairing, incorporating a large ice-box as a backrest and a fish-tail to dramatically improve the aerodynamics and range. It would also be big enough to hold the generator.
I do not like taking passengers on motorbikes, anyway!
This information may be used entirely at your own risk.
There is always a way if there is no other way!
You're gonna look real cute sitting on the side of the road for an hour while you wait for the thing to charge it up.
My Vectrix pulls 1,700 watts while charging. This Honda generator is only rated at 1,600 watts continuous. Aren't you going to burn it up?
http://www.ventry.com/lentry/gens/gen-specs.html
Well, I could have the last laugh in that while others try to find a trailer. Evert 4 minutes of charging gets you 1 mile of driving. How often do you get stuck with more than 3-5 miles to go. As I am reading the posts in this forum there a peaople pushing the Vectrix for a mile or two. That's not cute either. As to burning up the genie. The very point the post makes is that it does not. It is perfectly capable of charging the Vectrix all the way. Now you may not use this solution but I am offering my experience for those who wish.
It is very interesting to read your report. Thank you for sharing it!
@HarryS - A very novel approach to a very real world problem with the Vectrix and its like. As others have said, thanks for sharing.
I think we're all going to have to look for innovative ideas to help us along until the electrical storage problems with EVs are resolved once and for all, if ever! It is these very problems that are going to hold EVs back from general public acceptance. People are not going to want to live with the inconvenience EVs have over ICE vehicles, our experience of the latter is far too ingrained to dismiss lightly.
I have a strong interest in using Solar Panel technology to provide the Vectrix's charge under normal circumstances. But just a moderate scout around the internet will quickly show how unrealistic can be the notion of an affordable solar panel rig capable of supplying the necessary mains supply for the Vectrix to charge from. In the UK I would expect to face a bill of around £2,000 for a suitable Panel and pure sinewave rig, from what I've been able to research so far.
None of this is a get you home solution though - just me trying to untether myself from the National Grid :)
Confirming what others have said, the Honda EU2000i is pure sine wave, but shouldn't be run for an extended period above 1600W. Mine don't really seem to like extended runs over 1400W, but that might just be my units, which took a little abuse early in their life. When paralleled, they do a fine job of charging the Vectrix.
I've requested that Vectrix consider implementing a "low power charge" option of 500W or similar, because when charging away from home it's not always so easy to tell if anything else is sharing a circuit with a plug that someone's offering you. I'd also be able to slow-charge off my Prius (with an inverter) or solar, if I could restrict it to a lower current draw. No word yet on whether they'll implement such a feature, but that'd allow the little EU1000i to give you a boost home!
In my couple of test runs I didn't have any issues at all for a full 3h charge. I specifically asked the Honda dealer and he called the Honda techline to confirm that running it at 1800Watts for a couple of hours at a time is not going to do any harm and they confrimed that it was fine. All that siad, I was thinking about this only as an emergency rescue anyway in which instance you may charge for about 30minutes giving you about 8 miles of travel. The official specs suggest a draw of 2000Watt for 30 minutes for the EU2000i.
Sorry if my earlier post sounded too negative. I didn't mean that at all. I was joking about the sitting there part but had serious concern about running the generator at 1700 watts. Sounds like it's ok with Honda. I'm going to get them the benefit of the doubt about being honest and not just out to sell more generators. ;-)
I don't personally have an issue with range so I can't think of a reason why I'd need to have a backup plan like this but... I can see where others might. After thinking about it some more, it sounds like a great idea with very feasable ability to haul it around. Part of me kind of wishes they had one built into the bike, kind of like the new plug-in hybrids... in a way.
I was looking to get me this portable generator, since you gave a very positive review, but I'm having a hard time to find a shop in the EU that sells them. Is it only available in north America?
In the UK it is sold as EU20i. You are looking at around 1000£.
Yes, here in Spain its also possible to get it. Its either the EU20 or the EU10.
Yes, a 30 minute "get me home" charge should be perfectly fine for the EU2000i. It's mostly overheating that one needs to be concerned with, as I understand it, when running between the rated and max loads. It's good to see that the official word from Honda is that 30 mins @ 2KW is within spec. Thanks for that info!
One could also use a pair of EU1000i models in parallel, since they're each rated at 900W continuous. They'd be easier for my wife to throw in the car to bring to me, since they're considerably lighter than the EU2000i.
This is excellent, HarryS! Many of us seem to have the possibility in mind: how to trickle some charge directly into the battery; some sort of parallel charging method that doesn't require 110/220 VAC. (Solar bikeport, anyone?)
Seems like another post-warranty project.
Awesome,
Arlo
http://ray-c-yuen.idx.com.au/Honda%20EU2000i%20EU3000i%20EU20i%20EU10i%20parallel%20cable%20generator.htm
This information may be used entirely at your own risk.
There is always a way if there is no other way!
Has anybody found a "best" source for the Honda EU2000i generator?
How is the Honda "EU2000iA" or "EU2000iAC" generator different?
Is the new "EU2000iA Companion" essentially the same thing?
How does the more powerful Magna 3000 Watt digital inverter generator
compare? It is 62 lbs and apparently also has a pure sine-wave output.
Cheers, Gary
XM-5000Li, wired for cell voltage measuring and logging.
I bought mine at my local AdvanceMover dealer. They have a nationwide network.
http://www.advancedmower.com/
I got a killer deal at $879 plus taxes. I think its was about $920 out the door. I am sure they are willing to negotiate a good deal with you. Most importantly, I went there with the Vectrix testing it out on site. After charging for a half hour without problem the owner told me to take the generator home over the weekend and try a full charge. No strings attached, return if you dont like it. Now thats just one reason to shop local!
As to the comparison with outher sine wave inverter generators. Honda is clearly the lightest at 47 lbs dry weight and is extremely well build. Great rubber feet to reduce fibration and start on the first pull each time. My kids can start it and even my wife has no trouble lifting the unit into the trunk. Also, I searched high and low on the internet, particularly in RV groups for reports on reliability. The upshot was that the Honda received glowing relaibility reports. I too was tempted to spring for one of the $379 Ebay deals on Chineese knockoffs but lets face it. If you bought a Vectrix you probably enjoy quality over price. That siad, if anyone knows of o cheap sinewave generator it would be useful to share their experience here.
What about the IG2600 of KIPOR KAMA, rated at 2.3 KW continuous, 26kg (57 lbs), pure sinus,
564 x 317 x 453mm ? about half price of the Honda...
Just looking for a solution for 150 km, half of it uphill (going from 0m to 1100m). I guess
2 stops going in, recharge at my home there and then goind down. Will be fun :-)
I'm not familiar with that brand. I got the pair of Honda EU2000i units because they were:
1) Better quality power than utility
2) Quiet, as generators go
3) Luggable (I can carry one in each hand)
4) Reliable
5) Able to be paralleled, to give me >3KW rated, 4KW peak, or <=2KW "live" refueling.
6) Efficient (when eco-throttle is enabled)
At the time, I didn't find anything else that met all of those criteria, although that was a few years ago. I find the parallel capability extremely helpful, in that together they can handle a whole subpanel of my house. For extended runs (which I have at least annually), I shed a little load as needed to get to 2KW or less, and then I can take turns refueling them while the loads never see a drop out.
But 1/2 the price for 2.3KW rated sine-wave is a significant difference!
- David
I might be able to get a used Honda EU20i in a few months from friends who are moving overseas!
It is really light and quiet (compared to my 80kg, 6kWh generator which makes the house shake).
At the below link I show how such a generator could be secured to a Vectrix:
http://visforvoltage.org/forum/5839-vectrix-fairing-improvements-hot-food-or-cold-drinks-anyone#comment-34240
This information may be used entirely at your own risk.
There is always a way if there is no other way!
how's this compare?
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/SILENT-INVERTER-GENERATOR-2-6KVA-caravan-camper-fishing_W0QQitemZ270521345326QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Busine...
Trent do a genarator simlar to honda only 1/4 the price with more power .
Honda tut tut tut ..
it will charge the vectrix no worrys.
its quite compact
kev
You get what you pay for. The Hondas are used by many campers around the clock and are just impressive little reliable beasts. All these genies are cheap Chinese knockoffs. I have two Honda genies. One EU2000i one EU6500i which I use for the whole house as a standby. I also have a ten year old Honda lawnmower that inspite of much abuse won't die. They do know how to make an engine. While it was painful to shell out the money for the genies, I truly think they are worth every penny. I have an oscillsocope and tested both of them under load. True sinwave and no drop in voltage at all. In fact the waveform is cleaner than what I have from my utilities.
Pages