Pics of the Crystalyte analog controller

Crystalyte 12 FET 24-74V analog controller

I can use another controller for my Wavecrest Tidalforce S-750C bike with the HS3540 motor. The analog controller is a bit old fashioned and I really don't know what the difference is between an analog and digital controllers but I grabbed an inexpensive one from eBay this morning. I particularly like Crystalyte controllers because they have On/Off switches. Very handy!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231109726080?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Folding pedals

With the plethora of ebikes in my stable, I have a hard time moving them around and having them fit in as little space as possible. One easy way to gain just a bit more space and to make moving them around easier is to remove the fixed pedals from my bikes and replace them with folding pedals.

Each pair will save about 4 inches (roughly 10CM). It doesn't sound like much but with multiple bikes, it adds up quickly. The best part is that they slip past each other with less snagging of the pedals! These are particularly nice since they flip up or down without having to press any releases. They have pop into the pedaling position with a strong spring which helps the impression that they will stay open.

Clix QR Skewer

I've always been annoyed by the need to fiddle with quick release skewers. They needed to be unscrewed, carefully mounted in the fork and then with multiple clamps and unclamps with adjustments in between, quick release skewers seemed anything but quick!

I picked up a used Montague Clix QR which promises to make the quick release skewer live up to its name! I'll post a video if it seems worthwhile.

LinkedIn Connection

Hi Folks,

If anyone is interested, I have a LinkedIn account that I would like to promote so I'm adding it to my blogs so that the LinkedIn page gets a bump. I hope this works. Here it is:

http://www.linkedin.com/in/ambroseliao

If you'd like to connect with my Project Manager/Program Manager/Help Desk Manager page, then please feel free to click the Contact link, or the Add to network link.

Thanks,
Ambrose

CD (capacitive discharge) battery welder

With all of the batteries I have around that are tab welded, I thought that having a tab welder would be handy. Looking at a commercial tab welders, I discovered that they are VERY expensive. They should be because they are meant for industrial purposes and overbuilt for heavy-duty use. I didn't need anything that large so I found this great article on the web.

How to build a battery tab welder for $100.
http://www.ledhacks.com/power/battery_tab_welder.htm

Two of the major components are a very large capacitor. Large meaning, greater than 1 Farad and also a high powered SCR (silicon controlled rectifier).

I was able to find some needed items for a great price recently. Here they are:

MakeAClamp from Breeze

In order to clamp the endpieces together for the A123 20Ah, you have two choices.

One, buy an expensive clamping tool which will apply even and heavy pressure to the pouch cells to keep the chemistry evenly distributed and working effectively. Something like the Band-It tool.

Another option is to use hose clamps. Hose clamps aren't nearly as strong as the Band-it tool, however, there are a couple of advantages. First, no expensive tools needed. Second, they are removable. The Band-It tool's clamps need to be cut off and cutting a band that is under great pressure isn't very safe. Third, they can be bought fairly cheaply.

I found the MakeAClamp system online. It's a very flexible system in that it allows you to specify how large you want the clamp to be. The system is based on clamps that can be re-positioned and bands that have notches cut in them. I bought one kit which contains 3 clamps and 10 feet of banding material.