Tonight I couldn't make it up the hill! I charged for about an hour and was hitting 400v running my regen down the hill on the way to the grocery store. When I take my finger off the regen it dropped down to 380, still a respectably charge to get around town. Unfortunately, I still have a lot to learn because the range indicator only showed 7 miles, when it usually shows 16. The battery light went on at the bottom of the hill, which I now know is a death warrant. We were peddling like hell, but as we approached our turn I pulled to the side and lightened my load. I had Kristin hop out and take the groceries while I let the batteries rest. The Voltages climbed up to about 320 and I gunned it and made it over the last hill and rolled home beating Kristin who was on foot with the groceries.
Morals of the story
#1. Know where you need to be beyond when the battery light goes on to make it home.
#2. Pulling over and letting the batteries rest gives you another jolt
#3. One person peddling up a hill is easier for the Twike than two, due to weight.
I took this opportunity to run the batteries to empty. When you hit bottom the computer shows a batteries empty message and restarts. I decided to just plug it in and let it trickle charge for two days.
Now to rest my legs!
Back on the road again!
13 years ago
There is also a method of sitting "side saddle" on the edge of the side of the Twike such that you can do a "foot kick" assist to the electric motor/batteries -- similar to what you would do on a foot scooter.
ReplyDeleteInteresting observations!