errantember (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
errantember) wrote2008-08-03 06:28 pm
errantember) wrote2008-08-03 06:28 pm
Entry tags:
The Guts are In the Mail
I've just completed the hour+ long job of removing the controller from my EVTA R-20 electric scooter, which died recently. The controller and the throttle are under warranty, and will be replaced for free. Several other items, all of which were probably damaged due to the inclusion of too-wimpy shocks on the original model, are *not* under warranty despite having been damaged or destroyed by either a design flaw or manufacturing defect. Let me make a short list of what I can remember off the top of my head of things that have gone wrong with the bike since I've had it.
1) Wouldn't recharge when I first got it due to a disconnected charge connector, stranding me at my friend Adam's house and costing me over $100 in cab and towing bills.
2) Front wheel scraped on inside of front faring, wearing completely through the fairly thick plastic in under two months from when I bought it.
3) Speedometer/Odometer slipped out from top assembly, meaning neither work anymore.
4) Front brake cable was scraping against front tire, wearing through all of the two layers of outer jacket and abrading the inner hydrolic cable
5) Consistent problems with bottoming out the shocks, hurting both the bike and my back, and likely causing most if not all of the above problems.
6) Throttle (which is actually the handle you hold onto on your right hand) broke off and literally slid off the handlebar while I was in heavy traffic. I was able to keep it working by jimmying it long enough to get home.
7) One or both rear passenger folding pedals broke off due to insufficient ground clearance.
8) The battery box on the bottom of the bike scrapes in some turns for the same reason
9) The bike would randomly cut out, generally in conditions of what could be overheating. This problem was intermittently present for about four months, but finally resulted in the controller itself dieing a few days ago, stranding me yet again. This time costs were mitigated due to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
trippedbreaker's help and a near-suicidal U-Haul run where I had to have the truck back to U-Haul in less than two hours during rush hour or face a $150 fine.
I'll be mailing all of the damaged parts in question (at least those I can find) back to EVTAMERICA tomorrow. I related news, I just got a marketing announcement regarding the R-30, the "new and improved" version of the R-20. Read this and tell me it doesn't sound like "The R-20, but not broken anymore."
Analyzing and Comparing
What are the improvements
* The Z-30 has a 3000W three-phase, 60V brushless hub motor built on a 10 inch rim and sports 10 inch X 3.5, 6 ply DOT tires. This new motor is faster with 940 RPM.
* The new motor is capable of reaching speeds of approximately 45 MPH (72 KPH) but with superior torque and climbing ability. It has been kicked up by 500 watts.
* In order to cut costs as much as possible the 2009 Model Z-30 will only be available in two colors: Metallic Red or Metallic Blue.
* The body and frame of the Z-30 is much better in both quality and fit and will be assembled with 100% stainless steel nuts, bolts, washers and screws.
* The range may be reduced faintly if the motorcycle is used at full speed at all times, but should still exceed a 30-mile range at constant cruising speeds when used with fully charged batteries.*
* The totally new controller is a Kelly Controller specifically and specially designed and modified for the Z-30 and has a built in overheat preventer which reduces the amperage under extreme conditions. This will eliminate the need for cooling fans thus increasing reliability.
* The Z-30 will no longer have an alarm or a kick stand on and off relay which proved to be unreliable in our first production and became a common problem as a result of shipping. Our top priority is most definitely reliability. The Kill Switch will remain as a safety feature.
* The windshield and the trunk as well as wheel locks and an alarm kit will be offered as options and separately priced.
* We have acquired different and much better rear shock absorbers that are significantly stronger and provide a smoother ride for the Z-30.
* The front and rear coated disc brakes are of much better quality and fit; they are also DOT compliant.
* We have graduated to a superior DC Converter (60V to 12V) with an inline fuse for added safety as well as a much higher peak current.
* The new heavy duty harness installed is made to European standards, including shielded for ultrasound frequencies; they have also been simplified for functionality and are much better color coded to insure continuity and easier maintenance.
* The dash now contains a speedometer/odometer with both MPH and KPH with European standards of accuracy which are (The displayed speed-Actual Speed) X 1% +4km. The needle will be a fiber optics needle that glows in the dark.
* The Hall Effect throttle is much improved with extra rugged thicker wires proving to be more reliable in all our testing.
* The Z-30 comes with the much awaited SmartSpark battery equalizer (made in the USA) for 60V with LED lights, which maintains the batteries precisely balanced both during charging and discharging thereby increasing significantly the batteries' life. It is also able to perceive the individual condition of each battery and therefore can sense if any one battery is not functioning properly.
* The rest of the Z-30 will be much the same in appearance, though it now has more clearance under the frame and battery box of the motorcycle due to the new shocks. The Z-30 still has the 5 X 12V 35AH sealed lead acid battery pack as well as DOT lights throughout.
* We are equipping all our 2009 EVTAMERICA models with a much improved Soneil International Limited of Canada automatic 60V charger.
* Range will vary depending on the weight of the rider/s, terrain, wind resistance and road conditions. Example: a run on a relatively flat road with few stops and a 180lb rider will get much better range than a hilly road with multiple stops, and a 280lb rider.
1) Wouldn't recharge when I first got it due to a disconnected charge connector, stranding me at my friend Adam's house and costing me over $100 in cab and towing bills.
2) Front wheel scraped on inside of front faring, wearing completely through the fairly thick plastic in under two months from when I bought it.
3) Speedometer/Odometer slipped out from top assembly, meaning neither work anymore.
4) Front brake cable was scraping against front tire, wearing through all of the two layers of outer jacket and abrading the inner hydrolic cable
5) Consistent problems with bottoming out the shocks, hurting both the bike and my back, and likely causing most if not all of the above problems.
6) Throttle (which is actually the handle you hold onto on your right hand) broke off and literally slid off the handlebar while I was in heavy traffic. I was able to keep it working by jimmying it long enough to get home.
7) One or both rear passenger folding pedals broke off due to insufficient ground clearance.
8) The battery box on the bottom of the bike scrapes in some turns for the same reason
9) The bike would randomly cut out, generally in conditions of what could be overheating. This problem was intermittently present for about four months, but finally resulted in the controller itself dieing a few days ago, stranding me yet again. This time costs were mitigated due to
trippedbreaker's help and a near-suicidal U-Haul run where I had to have the truck back to U-Haul in less than two hours during rush hour or face a $150 fine. I'll be mailing all of the damaged parts in question (at least those I can find) back to EVTAMERICA tomorrow. I related news, I just got a marketing announcement regarding the R-30, the "new and improved" version of the R-20. Read this and tell me it doesn't sound like "The R-20, but not broken anymore."
Analyzing and Comparing
What are the improvements
* The Z-30 has a 3000W three-phase, 60V brushless hub motor built on a 10 inch rim and sports 10 inch X 3.5, 6 ply DOT tires. This new motor is faster with 940 RPM.
* The new motor is capable of reaching speeds of approximately 45 MPH (72 KPH) but with superior torque and climbing ability. It has been kicked up by 500 watts.
* In order to cut costs as much as possible the 2009 Model Z-30 will only be available in two colors: Metallic Red or Metallic Blue.
* The body and frame of the Z-30 is much better in both quality and fit and will be assembled with 100% stainless steel nuts, bolts, washers and screws.
* The range may be reduced faintly if the motorcycle is used at full speed at all times, but should still exceed a 30-mile range at constant cruising speeds when used with fully charged batteries.*
* The totally new controller is a Kelly Controller specifically and specially designed and modified for the Z-30 and has a built in overheat preventer which reduces the amperage under extreme conditions. This will eliminate the need for cooling fans thus increasing reliability.
* The Z-30 will no longer have an alarm or a kick stand on and off relay which proved to be unreliable in our first production and became a common problem as a result of shipping. Our top priority is most definitely reliability. The Kill Switch will remain as a safety feature.
* The windshield and the trunk as well as wheel locks and an alarm kit will be offered as options and separately priced.
* We have acquired different and much better rear shock absorbers that are significantly stronger and provide a smoother ride for the Z-30.
* The front and rear coated disc brakes are of much better quality and fit; they are also DOT compliant.
* We have graduated to a superior DC Converter (60V to 12V) with an inline fuse for added safety as well as a much higher peak current.
* The new heavy duty harness installed is made to European standards, including shielded for ultrasound frequencies; they have also been simplified for functionality and are much better color coded to insure continuity and easier maintenance.
* The dash now contains a speedometer/odometer with both MPH and KPH with European standards of accuracy which are (The displayed speed-Actual Speed) X 1% +4km. The needle will be a fiber optics needle that glows in the dark.
* The Hall Effect throttle is much improved with extra rugged thicker wires proving to be more reliable in all our testing.
* The Z-30 comes with the much awaited SmartSpark battery equalizer (made in the USA) for 60V with LED lights, which maintains the batteries precisely balanced both during charging and discharging thereby increasing significantly the batteries' life. It is also able to perceive the individual condition of each battery and therefore can sense if any one battery is not functioning properly.
* The rest of the Z-30 will be much the same in appearance, though it now has more clearance under the frame and battery box of the motorcycle due to the new shocks. The Z-30 still has the 5 X 12V 35AH sealed lead acid battery pack as well as DOT lights throughout.
* We are equipping all our 2009 EVTAMERICA models with a much improved Soneil International Limited of Canada automatic 60V charger.
* Range will vary depending on the weight of the rider/s, terrain, wind resistance and road conditions. Example: a run on a relatively flat road with few stops and a 180lb rider will get much better range than a hilly road with multiple stops, and a 280lb rider.