This was the first version of the iQuad. The original concept was for an electric scooter with two wheels but somewhere along the way I switched to a four wheels plan. I really like the look of this one, the low front looks purposeful and the fat tyres are cool. The frame is welded 6061 aluminium, the first motor was 600 watts with a 100 amp, 24 volt controller. The rear axle was solid, which meant it didn't turn very well, with most of the weight of the rider on the back wheels it tended to want to just go straight ahead, predicably enough. I thought it would do that, but didn't expect it to be as pronounced as it was. The batteries were Panasonic 12v, 21 amp hour sealed lead acid ones. They were pretty heavy, and didn't seem able to deliver much current. The front suspension geometry allowed plenty of travel, but set up as it was the springs were too soft.
Time for an upgrade, I thought...
I changed to twin motors with way more power, Ampflow A28-400's. Rated at 4.5 Hp each, they were a big improvement. The controller was switched to a Robotec dual channel, 160 amp per channel model. We had a machinist make up some belt drive pulleys, and mounted them on race kart sprocket carriers. I split the rear axle so that each rear wheel could rotate independantly, with one motor driving each wheel. New front shocks with much stiffer spring sorted out the soft front suspension, though it's now probably gone too much the other way - the extra height puts more weight on the back, and the springs are now too stiff.
The old Panasonic SLA batteries were ditched and three 24v packs of good quality Sub-C cells went in instead. These still weren't up to the job, and several cells quickly overheated and died. That was an expensive lesson, and they were replaced with much lighter LiPo cells, 3 packs @ 22.2 volts and 10 amp hours. These barely get warm. The range with the LiPo's is 14-15 km over fairly hilly, rough ground, and top speed is 35 - 40 Kmph.
With the new motors the tendency to tip over backwards became much more apparent. The ergonomics are a bit suspect, footrests need an overhaul and some kind of protection from tipping over backwards would be good. I rebuilt the seat several times before giving in and bolting on a much comfier one made for a mini chopper.
What Next?
The plan now is to start over from scratch, and use the lessons learned to make a new iQuad 2.0. The design objectives this time:
Lighter Weight. The current version weights about 45 Kg - not terribly heavy, but enough to be awkward lifting it into or out of a vehicle.
More Compact. Preferably able to fold up. As it is, once it's in the boot, it takes up most of the space, we can't fit the kids bikes in as well, or any luggage if we're going away.
Quieter. It's not noisy by any standards now - it surprises a lot of people who don't hear you coming. But the belt drives do whine a bit at speed, and there's the odd rattle here and there.
More Efficient. I want to use a smaller battery pack and get the same or better range. Batteries are expensive and have a limited life, so I'll be focusing quite intently on this. I don't need a longer range, but if it ever fell into the hands of someone who did, extra battery packs need be easy to add.
Convenient. Having had a Segway for a couple of years, I've become very used to the convenience of basically zero maintenance and easy charging.
Look Great. For my own satisfaction I want it to look really good. I'm aiming for a minimalist aesthetic, a bike with four wheels if you will. The simpler and cleaner the better.
Comments
I just would like one of your super bike, really I would like to buy one, just to test it and then if it is really confostable, I will call you and make maybe some request. at this moment I´m thinking of Venezuelan maket reagarding your product and I´m sure it is going to be a very nice news introducin the ¡quad.
Please let me know HOw much it is the cost of it.
Best regards,
Massimo Marmai
fammi sapere
michele
michele.virgillo@libero.it
awesome build!
mail me eclips_vs@hotmail.com
greetz rik
joshua@wowconsultants.sg
email me even if its a "No way man" stupifly@gmail.com
I look forward to either hearing from you or seeing more on youtube
Thanks and props
Thank you very much for all the kind words! The feedback is great motivation for pushing ahead the new design :) The prototype has been sold to help fund the new version and I'm hoping to have a concept design nailed down soon.
To answer some questions:
The iQuad is not in production, it needs more development before it could be sold as a product. As it was, it's not safe and dynamically and ergonomically it needs some work.
The best batteries we tried were Maxamps 10,000 MaH LiPo packs, they seemed to have no problem at all delivering tons of current along with good range in a compact size. We had 6 @ 11.1v packs connected as three strings in parallel for 22.2v nominal and 30 aH capacity.
The motor controller was a Roboteq AX2550HE. I'm not sure that high current version is still available, and we did have to replace it after it got water in it, so be sure to protect it well. Roboteq score AAA+ for customer service, btw.
Motors were Ampflow A28-400's. Ampflow were also good to deal with, and the motors were rock solid.
The belt drives were custom made, contact me if you need some and we will see if we can put together a good deal. They are quite expensive as angle and pair sets, higher volume would get them cheaper.
It was approx. 900 mm wide x 950 mm long. Wheels and tires are race kart rears all round.
Kind regards,
Jason
Glenn
Just a thought, great job and a super-clean machine. Totally want one!
Cheers - Mike B
mikeyblair at that "hot mail" site. :)
Ryan - here's a youtube link in case you didn't find one :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2F4RQF6oco
Cheers,
Jason