[mechman600]

My planned EV build is a '78 Honda CB400 commuter motorcycle. I currently pollute the Earth with it rain or shine. Even snow. The question is, how will a Mars PM motor and Kelly or Alltrax controller and a [insert brand name here] DC-DC converter and a Kelly battery charger handle torrential downpours (West coast style) on my way to work?

 

[cbliss]

Chargers are not generally sealed and can take up quite a bit of bike space. You would probably not want to install a charger on the bike.

Kelly has an option for sealed but you are still going to need to protect the connections where they come out. Same with the batteries and motor.

 

[frodus]

Chargers are not generally sealed and can take up quite a bit of bike space. You would probably not want to install a charger on the bike.

There are several waterproof chargers out there. DeltaQ and Quick Charge chargers. Both IP rated as waterproof. And Most, if not ALL motorcycles that I've seen (apart from race motorcycles) have a charger onboard. Why would he not want to install one on board?

 

[frodus]

My planned EV build is a '78 Honda CB400 commuter motorcycle. I currently pollute the Earth with it rain or shine. Even snow. The question is, how will a Mars PM motor and Kelly or Alltrax controller and a [insert brand name here] DC-DC converter and a Kelly battery charger handle torrential downpours (West coast style) on my way to work?

Alltrax is sealed. Mars PM motor should be just fine. Vicor and Sevcon DC-DC converters are sealed. DeltaQ and Quick Charge chargers are sealed. You should be fine, just protect any bare circuit boards or anything that isn't sealed.

 

[cbliss]

... Why would he not want to install one on board?

I am mostly involved with racing motorcycles and when you are trying to cram as much power and range into a bike, you need all the available space for batteries. My scooter has an external charger as do the eBikes I am familiar with. Just a matter of perspective I guess.

 

[mechman600]

Yeah, I am trying to decide whether or not to have an on-board charger or not. I do want to charge it at work, so a charger at work will be necessary. But, a 48V/15A (or 72V/10A depending on what I actually end up doing) charger (Kelly) is only 9"X5"X3" and 8 lbs, so it will easily fit into my backpack that I wear to work anyway. That seems like the best solution, and the charger wouldn't even need to be water proof.

 

[frodus]

I am mostly involved with racing motorcycles and when you are trying to cram as much power and range into a bike, you need all the available space for batteries. My scooter has an external charger as do the eBikes I am familiar with. Just a matter of perspective I guess.

Well, he said "commuter motorcycle", so there's a pretty high likelyhood that he's going to need convenience charging. He could have a charger that is external but he carries in some luggage/backpack, but I wouldn't want to get stuck somewhere without a way to charge it.