Topic: 24 volt version of sinclair C5

[frankev]

Today it happened. Wubbert and Quasimodo came over to my place and we (mostly Quasimodo) did a few little adjustments to a Sinclair. Like a hand throttle, a extra cooling fan for the engine and last but not least, 24 volts to the engine. Don't know how , but I still have 12 volts for the horn, indicators and lights as well. Even the pod seems to work. I mean seems to, it lights up as normal, but it doesn't indicate power consumption anymore. It starts beeping if the engine is getting warm. I hope, by powering the throttle up very slowly, when driving away, to keep the strain of the gearbox and enjoy it for a while.
http://youtu.be/aRvNWLEotJo

greetz

Frank

[C5 ENTHUSIAST + RESTORER]

Welcome to the 24 volt club  .....

bye Chas

[frankev]

Tnx Chas,

Do we have meetings or so? Places where we show off?
Already feel kinda special.
Frank

[Retro Andy]

Top stuff mate, also watch the video clip of the monster C5 

Retro Andy.

[frankev]

Tnx again,

Anyone has tips about making a 24 volt monster last a little longer? (especially the gearbox) I do accelerate very gentle while peddling along.
I would hate it if this would happen
this is not my gearbox

greetz

Frank

[Karl]

Hi frank,

You are travelling down a well trodden path mate 
http://c5alive.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=181.0

http://c5alive.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=967.0

http://c5alive.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1043.0

http://www.c5alive.co.uk/c5-24vfinal2.avi

The gearbox is the weak link hence all the experiments that electricDave and I have been playing with. We eventually changed the entire gearbox because reinforcing the standard one just created more problems. We found fitting small metal cogs would simply wear out the grooves in the gearbox casing or the pins would break away. Once you cure that you'll probably find that even with extra cooling the resin will soften in the motor and the magnets will drop onto the armature. Changing the motor entirely may then lead to chassis damage...meaning reinforcement welding or a change of chassis design  So you find yourself moving further away from the original design and essentially ending up with something more akin to a three-wheel go-kart instead of a c5 

This doesn't mean that you shouldn't try ,and it is huge fun experimenting , but sometimes you need to take a step back and ask yourself what the actual goal is ? I wanted to create a simple "plug and play" replacement 24v that needed nothing more than a screwdrive and spanned to fit - with no permanent alterations to the c5 required. We came close but the reliability problems with the remaining standard Sinclair components means it isn't really viable without compromising originality.

[frankev]

To my great surprise, I made a big mistake. 

Not Quasimodo but Wuppert did al the hard work in this 24 volt project.
Quasimodo and I just had coffee while Wuppert really did his perfect "thing"
Sorry, I switched their C5Alive names. (we don't use those names on a daily base)

Wuppert, your the best, Sorry for this mistake,

Frank  (frankev)

[Lancealot]

The gearbox is what is concerning me on my 24v conversion......

roll on the dragon gearbox................

Lance

[frankev]

I know the feeling Lancealot,

I feel lucky not to have any hill or steeps in my neighborhood, yet I do start pedaling before using the engine, so no pull away on enginepower, close the throttle often, this all the time, afraid as I am for the gearbox as well as for the magnets in the engine. Just get my kicks out of the 24V speed at short pieces.

Hope my C5 stay's alive. Keep you posted! Until now I drove about 100 miles in total with it. (so very gentle)

Greetz

Frank

[Lancealot]

Frank what 24v conversion kit did you use.

Lance

[frankev]

Hi Lance,

I have a Lantian Elektron LK-03 (24V-350W) conversion kit.


And I must say, it is doing very well. Certainly considering the price (about half of the UNI

greetz

Frank

[Lancealot]

I have also gone with Uni8 aswell.

Lance

[Karl]

...having seen the "hit and miss" quality of the Chinese stuff I think I'll stick with the 4qd gear as well 

Voodoo has performed well since 2007 using their controller and throttle so no complaints from me on the build quality of their stuff.

[radiomarty]

Have to agree with Karl and sing the praises of the uni 8 for performance and reliability 

[thedesigntailor]

Looks so much fun! I really, really want a 24V upgrade but two issues play on my mind...

Mine is pretty much original and though I'm not worried if the one I own isn't original, I don't want to ruin one that is. Does that make any sense? I have wondered about swapping with someone who has one that isn't pedigree and want's one so I don't feel like I'm committing sacrilege.

Secondly is the reliability you talk about. I'm not very good at this. It took me ages to work out how to pump the flipping tyres up the other day (pump wouldn't go on the valve - thought it needed special adapter - went a bought a few to try out and then realised I just needed to release the clasp on the pump head  doh!).