Introduction: DIY Electric Trike From Electric Wheelchair Motor
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I got a new trike a week ago and decided to motorize it with a 500w 24v electric wheelchair motor i had in the shed. Top speed is about 15mph and range is about 20 miles on a charge.
Step 1: Parts and Tools.
A trike! I got mine at the local wally world for around 250 USD.
Electric wheelchair motor with gearbox.I like wheelchair motors because they usually have a gearbox on the motor that turns the output shaft 90 degrees. The gearbox also reduces the shaft speed down from 2500RPM to around 200RPM. This matches the speed of a bicyclist peddling so you can use the original bike gearing.
Bicycle sprocket.I used a rear sprocket off of a kids bike. Removing the sprocket from the coaster brake assembly was really easy. If you use a large sprocket you get more speed. I used a smaller sprocket so i can get massive torque to climb hills.
Batteries.The motor i have is 24 volt. I used two 12v 50ah batteries for this project. Since the batteries are wired in a 24v configuration i have a 24v pack with 50ah of storage. The batteries i use are heavy but cheap lead acid batteries. Look for a local place that remanufactures batteries, it will cost much less.
Speed controller PWM.I used this controller from Amazon. Speed controller linkIt can provide a 1440w @ 24v and since the motor only pulls 500w it should hold up to the abuse i will put it through.
Circuit breaker or fuses.FOR SAFETY! With this much storage capacity and amperage you want to be as safe as possible. I use a 50amp breaker placed between the battery packs.
Some 5 or 7 strand thermostat wire.Use this to extend the wires on the speed control switch to make it reach the handlebars.
Wire and connectors.You will need some thick wire to run the battery leads to the controller. Use wire connectors to hook everything up and make it look clean.
Zip Ties.To keep wires in place and you can never have too many zip ties.
Tools needed.
The tools required for this project will vary. If you have a cordless drill and a basic set of tools you should be good.
The only part that may be tricky for some people is welding the sprocket to the wheelchair motor hub. If you have a local mechanic, muffler shop, high school metal shop, or somewhere that has a welder just offer an employee 10 or 20 bucks to weld it. The job will take 10 minutes and they get some lunch money.
Step 2: Mounting the Motor
Figuring out how and where to mount the motor is always the hardest part. This new trike has a very wide rear fork. I managed to slip the motor right in and it lines up with the rear gear perfectly. The plates i used were the original mounting brackets from the wheelchair the motor came from. They are basically flat bits of aluminum with holes in them. The plates are bolted to the gearbox and then bolted to the bike frame.
Step 3: Making the Drive Sprocket and Connecting the Drive Chain.
The wheelchair motor i have came with a hub to mount to the original wheelchair wheel. On the end of the hub i welded a sprocket from a kids bicycle.
When you make this hub you need to make sure the sprocket is on straight so it does not wobble around when the motor is running or the chain will fall off. Take your time and do it right. Make sure the welds are strong.Try putting the hub on the motor and powering the motor with a small battery. This will help position the sprocket before welding.
This setup deletes the front pedals from the drive chain. I have ordered a front sprocket with a freewheel clutch inside it so the pedals do not spin when the motor is running. I originally tried the setup with the front connected but it led to me getting my shins whacked every time i stopped peddling with the motor on.
This bike is a 7 speed and all the gears work. 1st gear only goes 5mph but will climb very steep hills. 7th gear tops out around 15 to 17mph. The multiple gears helps control speed, torque, and motor load/temp.
Step 4: Wiring Up the Electrics.
This is simple. the and. from the battery pack go to the B and B- on the controller. Make sure from the battery goes to B and the. from the battery goes to B-. If you reverse the polarity of the B and B- on the controller it will short out immediately and you will be placing another amazon order.
The speed control knob that comes with the board needs the wires lengthened so you can place it on the handlebars. Use the thermostat wire to lengthen the wire.
Connect the motor to the M and M- on the controller. The way my motor is placed in the bike i need to run the motor backwards. So i flipped the M and M- and it spins the correct direction.
Step 5: Battery Basket.
The two batteries i used fit perfectly in the basket only taking up the front half. I cut some plywood boards to place in the bottom of the basket and lined the basket with rag rugs from the dollar store. A little upholstery foam makes good padding for the sides of the batteries so they don’t rattle around. All the battery weight is placed directly on the rear axle which helps with balance.
To cover the back half of the basket i got a board, drilled holes in the end of it, and zip tied it to the basket using the zip ties as the hinge.
Step 6: Stuff You Should Carry With You.
Trial and error goes hand in hand with building your own stuff. It is a good idea to keep some tools with you to fix the bike if you break down.
Standard pliers.Most useful tool.
Various wrenches.For undoing just about every nut and bolt on the bike.
Needle nose pliers.For small stuff
Chain tool.Handy but not essential
Hex wrench. For the motor mounting plate bolts.
Large adjustable pliers.For rounding off nuts and bolts in fits of rage.
Wire cutters.For cutting wires and zip tie tails.
Electrical tape.Its tape! It fixes most things for 5 or so minutes.
Zip ties.Because tape cant fix everything.
Bike lock, Battery charger, Extension Cord.To secure the bike and also recharge the battery where an outlet can be had.
Step 7: Accessories and a Ride.
You should always have lights on your bike. A bright headlight for the front and a blinking red light for the rear.
I have also added a short distance light to my handlebars because the streets in my area are really bad. The short range light helps me see bumps and holes.
Phone holder. This is great for installing an old phone for speed/mileage tracking and maps/navigation. I have an old S3 that i run Goodle maps on (download offline maps) and DigiHUD speedometer. They both use GPS to get location so no cell service is required. Maps are downloaded and updated on Wi-Fi.
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Комментарии и мнения владельцев
I really enjoyed this concept because a year ago I decided to trash my mowbot project where I used 2 wheelchair motors to power the chassis of a push mower using a controller with wireless remote control It was fun but not exactly practical due to the difficulty of steering it. I ended up spending more time trying to learn to control it than actually getting the lawn mowed. So. I want to use those same motors and batteries which are exactly what you used for this tricycle. I wish I had a tricycle but just have a 7 speed bicycle I would like to convert. The 2 most challenging parts for me are figuring how to mount one or both of these motors. They do NOT have a gearbox. I may have to puchase one to accomodate the rpm reduction. Also just ligning up the welded sprocket. I have all of the welding equipment but have never had the nerve to actually try it. I did attend a welding class a while back so know how to be careful. I also don’t know the ability of my home/garage circuit will handle it. I guess this kind of stuff you just have to start getting your hands on and solve each problem as it comes. Again, good job and it inspires me to try more at my project.
without seeing your Etrike, ive just brought a new £190 24inch (cheaper than 26) 7 speed trike and used one of 2 24v motors with gearbox, removed the electric brake, they fitted on front left and right 14inch wheels, bolted direct to the wheel, so they have to be safe and torque wise to pull someone that could be large reliably, but i split a peddle sprocket leaving a bit of the 4 spoke/bars that hold it together, drilled and added extra rivits, then centred it to the motor drive hub and drilled and bolted it on, how the wheel was originally, then made a plate with holes to match the gearbox holes, and 3 to fit ones on the frame and tightened these ,the 4 i put long bolts with nuts in between plate and motor so i can adjust the tilt and get it straight with the rear sprocket and gear, after a few other tries this was best, i did try a ebike mid-drive ? gear/sprocket thing i found on a bent up dumped ebike with a razor e100 motor but it was just a slight peddle assist, the wheelchair motor is perfect, i have another and i found them and the joy stick, controller on a near complete Wchair free, now i no it works i might put a controller and throttle on it, im just running it using 2 12v re-lemond lead batteries, that go to a old 24v drill trigger/switch then to the motor, if it was a fixed wheel i could have reverse using this to, i could put the other motr on but geared and wired to start when the first has pulled off and maxed out, that way it should go faster further from a smaller lighter cooler less friction so far longer lasting set up all round, after saying that it dawn n me that if that is the case, it could produce its own power and go for miles, lol another sleepless night cogs spinning somewhere, i need a test for ADHD, cheers all
Super job! I just have a couple of questions:
What about the weight of the batteries, do they slow down the bike at all?
Since an electric wheelchair only has one speed, how do you convert that motor to have a varying speed?
Thanks again. I am trying to figure out how I can cheaply make my bicycle and electric bike as I have really bad knees but want to ride my bike with the assist of the electric motor.
sorry it took so long for me to reply!
Yes batteries are super heavy. If i had the money i would go to something NOT lead based. Since the bike is geared for pulling power i can hit 17mph. if i geared it for speed the batteries would be a huge issue weighing in at 35lbs each.
EW-29
The new EWheels Electric Trike can easily be operated as a regular trike by just pedaling, or as an electric trike with 100% electric power by just twisting the hand throttle. You can even combine pedaling and electric power at the same time.
This well balanced trike can reach speeds up to 15 mph and travel up to 20 miles on a single charge. It features:
- A low step-thru steel frame for easy seating
- 500 watt direct-drive hub motor
- A 48 volt sealed, maintenance-free battery
- Oversized seat with backrest
- Forward reverse switch
- Front storage basket and large rear storage basket
- LED front electric light
- Electric horn electric battery indicator
Get your fully-assembled trike sent to you today!
Specifications
| 3 Year Limited Warranty |
| 400 lbs |
| Yes |
| 3 Wheels |
| Front Wheel Drive |
| 1 |
| No |
| 10” x 12” x 9” |
| Oversized seat with backrest |
| Deep Cycle Sealed Lead Acid |
| 29” |
| 38” |
| 67” |
| No |
| 128 lbs |
| LTL Freight |
| 15 mph |
| 20 miles |
| LED Headlight |
| 75 |
| Hand Brakes |
| Yes |
| Yes |
| Up to 10 Degrees |
| 6 |
| Front |
| Tubed |
| 48 volt offboard |
| Variable Twist Throttle |
| Yes |
| Yes |
| Twist |
| No |
| 22” x 1.95” |
| No |
| No |
| 48 volts |
| 500-750 peak |
| Brushless Front Hub Motor |
| Front and Rear Basket |
| N/A |
Warranty
Models Included
EW-10, EW-11, EW-12, EW-14, EW-19, EW-20, EW-29, EW- 36, EW-36 Elite, EW-46, EW-52, EW-54, EW-66, EW-72, EW-Vintage, EW-Bugeye.
Three Year Limited Warranty
Three (3) years from the date of purchase on all structural frame components, seat post and frame.
One Year Limited Warranty
One (1) Year from the date of purchase, if any part or electronic component of the scooter is found upon examination to be defective in material and/or workmanship, it will be replaced at Ewheels discretion.
Two Month Warranty
Two (2) Months from the date of purchase on the batteries. Batteries are subject to a stringent wear and tear clause. Any battery faults due to a manufacturing defect will become obvious within the first two months of use. Any gradual deterioration in performance after this period is normal and associated with fair wear and tear, misuse or accidental damage and as such is not covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.
One Month Warranty
One (1) Month from the date of purchase on the scooter’s charger.
WARRANTY EXCEPTIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
Service and Labor Costs
Unless previously authorized, service calls and labor costs are NOT included or covered under any warranty. The purchaser is responsible for the delivery to the authorized repair facility. Satisfactory proof of purchase is always required for warranty service. Please contact Ewheels directly for any assistance in locating a service provider or to make a warranty claim.
Consumable Items
Consumable items which may need replacing due to normal wear and tear like tires, tubes, lights, chains, upholstery and seating, brakes and brake pads, cables, fuses, buttons, shrouds and covers.
Damage, Accidental Damage and Misuse
Damaged caused by: battery fluid spillage or leakage, abuse, misuse, accident, negligence, improper operation, excessive loading, maintenance, storage, acts of God, commercial use, or use other than normal, extreme riding, modifications and alterations.
Second Hand Owners and Reselling
No warranty will be offered or honored for second hand owners. The warranty is exclusively offered to the original purchaser.
HOW TO MAKE A WARRANTY CLAIM
Initiating A Warranty Claim
To initiate a warranty claim, please contact Ewheels service department by calling 888-571-2845, or by email at “Service@ewheelsdealers.com”. Note that before any warranty claims will be fulfilled, satisfactory proof of purchase will be required, and a photo or video of the damaged part must be sent and reviewed by Ewheels.
Returning Faulty Parts
Do not return faulty parts to Ewheels without prior consent. A request for a return authorization is required prior to returning items. All transportation costs and shipping damage incurred while submitting units and/or parts for repair or replacement are the responsibility of the original purchaser.
SHIPPING DAMAGE AND SHIPPING POLICIES
Shipping Damage
In the event shipping damage occurs, it must be reported and addressed in a timely manner. Shipping damage claims are time sensitive and cannot be delayed. In the event the packaging is extremely damaged and the bike is beyond repair, please refuse the shipment, and contact Ewheels for further steps.
Shipping – Domestic
When applicable, part costs will be covered under warranty, and all warranty items will be shipped via FedEx Ground. Shipping fees will be at the expense of the purchaser.
Shipping – International
When applicable, parts will be provided under warranty at no charge, but shipping to any offshore and/or international location will be the responsibility of the original purchaser. International and offshore end-users must contact Ewheels directly to initiate the warranty process.
Implied warranties, including those of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, are limited to one (1) year from the date of the original purchase and to the extent permitted by law. Any and all implied warranties are excluded. This is the exclusive remedy. Liabilities for consequential damages under any and all warranties are excluded
Reviews
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
Returns
If you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase for any reason, contact JHR Electric Transports LLC DBA EWheels on 888-305-0881 and speak with a Customer Service Representative. Please note you must start the Return Process within 14 Calendar Days after you receive the product. If it has gone beyond that period, we cannot accept a Return.
The product must be intact and have no form of damage, and a photo of the condition of the product on each side must be provided. If these prerequisites are met, we will authorize the Return. You are responsible for the all Product Shipping costs, as well as a 20% Restocking fee.
Once the product has been received back at our warehouse and has been inspected, we will issue a refund minus the Shipping and Restocking fees within 3-5 Business days.
Customer must have original packaging to start the return process.
Electric motor for trike
Bosch Terratrike Boost Kit
Turn your TerraTrike into an E-Trike with our Boost Kit. Powered with Bosch’s ActiveLine Plus Mid Drive Motor, PowerPack 400WH Lithium Ion battery and Purion console, you’ll enjoy the added assist an e-trike can provide.
- The Boost Kit Includes:
- Bosch ActiveLine Plus Mid Drive Motor
- Bosch PowerPack 400Wh Battery
- Purion Console
- Crank Arms (No Pedals)
- Boom
The Boost Kit. Bosch is compatible with the following TerraTrike models: Maverick, Rambler, Rambler All Terrain, Gran Tourismo, and Traveler (the Traveler requires additional hardware for mounting).
No option for 26 wheel (all models).
THIS KIT CAN ONLY BE INSTALLED BY A CERTIFIED Bosch DEALERS. OUR PRICE FOR INSTALLATION IS 200.00
For more information about Bosch click HERE
Bosch Catrike Kit- In Stock
Turn your Catrike into a eCAT with the Bosch Catrike Kit.
The Bosch Active Line Plus electric-assist system features four levels of power assistance: Eco. 40%, Tour. 100%, Sport. 180% and Turbo. 270%. Each level also features a maximum drive torque to ensure smooth, gentle acceleration. The Bosch Active Line Plus delivers assistance up to 20 mph and a cadence of 105.
THIS KIT CAN ONLY BE INSTALLED BY Bosch CERTIFIED DEALERS. OUR PRICE FOR INSTALLATION IS 200.00
For more information about Bosch click HERE
E-BIKE-KIT Performance Wheel Conversion
This premium electric bike conversion kit system is for those that want the best of the best in performance, efficiency, weight, stealth, and speed. The top speed is 28 mph! There is a 300 lbs. total load limit, so if you plan on more than that, look to a heavy duty system.
System Specs: Watts: Nominal 500 w/ 1000w Top Speed: Approx. 26 = 26 mph / 700c = 27 mph / 24 = 24 mph / 20 = 20 mph Range: 48v 9Ah = 9-18 miles / 48v 10Ah = 10-20 miles / 48v 14Ah = 14-28 miles / 48v 20Ah = 20-40 miles Charge Time: 3-6 hrs (from 0-100% and depending on battery size (Ah)) Load Limit: 300 lbs. max load (Based on rider weight, input and terrain contingent)
Tong Sheng TSDZ2 48v
THIS IS PRICED WITH:
-Accessorie Mount for the display
The TSDZ2 Mid Drive Motor. Torque Sensing Pedal Assist: The harder you pedal. the harder the motor works with you. 4 levels of assist provide smoothly integrated power ranging from 36-300%, allowing you to conquer virtually any hill with ease. These kits retrofit most bicycles by replacing the bottom bracket crankset assembly. to utilize the existing drivetrain gears for maximum efficiency.
Icaro 2000 electric Pit-trike
Icaro 2000, one of the most important hang glider manufacturers in the world, has extended its range with a single-seat light trike, which can be used with a conventional hang glider and a lightweight engine for a totally new dimension of flight.
The Icaro 2000 Pit-trike is available only in a futuristic electric version.
Electric motor
The HPD (High Power Direct) motor was developed by Werner Eck and is distributed by Flytec. It is a brushless, rotating-can motor which directly powers a 1.4 m diameter folding-blade propeller, with no reduction gear.
Flytec HPD 10 10 kw Electronic system Flytec MMS 10 Weight 5 kg
For further details on the electric motor, see the following websites:
Regulator
The motor is regulated by the MMS system (Motor Management System).
An advanced control system prevents accidental motor activation. If essential parameters are exceeded, the power supplied is automatically reduced, and the pilot is informed of the problem by means of an error message on the control interface.
The motor’s functioning is constantly monitored by an interface that displays all operational parameters, such as voltage, power in amp-hours, current absorption, motor temperature, the Motor Management System, the state of the accumulators, and so forth.
Batteries
Various accumulator systems are available.
The standard accumulator is a 24 Ah lithium ion model, providing a flight time of about 20 minutes with an RX18 or RX21 wing and an 80 kg pilot.
Two batteries connected in parallel (48 Ah) provide a flight time of 40 minutes.
Using a modern Rapid-charge lithium polymer accumulator, flight time can be extended to about 30 minutes, or up to one hour’s flight when two of these accumulators are connected in parallel, providing a total of 80 Ah.
The maximum flight time varies according to pilot weight, the style of flying, and the surface area of the wing.
3 Flytec batteries type are available:
LiIon 24 Ah 12,5 kg LiPo 40 Ah 16 kg LiPo 60 Ah 22 kg
Folding propeller
The folding-blade propeller in carbon fibre was specially developed for the electric motor.
It has a diameter of 1.4 metres, and it guarantees high propulsive efficiency.
The most suitable hang glider
Just about any normal hang glider can be used with Icaro 2000’s Pit-trike, ensuring that the total weight of the system (trike, wing, pilot) does not exceed the maximum certified weight for the wing in question.
Icaro 2000 recommends two sizes of hang glider for the Pit-trike.
The simplest hang glider in Icaro 2000’s range, the RX, in RX 18 or RX 21 versions, is ideal for enjoyable and stress-free flying. This glider’s size and characteristics make it ideal for beginners.
For professional pilots, Icaro 2000 recommends the MastR, in size L.