Looking for advice on e-bike kit

[Meat Hunter]

Bad News - Good News...

The bad news is that the company (Savannah E-Bikes) that I identified last fall to purchase an electric kit for my Schwinn Meridian tricycle, for my first trip to the Playa in 2014, has closed its doors.

The good news is that I waited and did not make my purchase just before they ceased being in business.

Does anyone have any personal experience with another company that makes a quality electric kit for a Schwinn Meridian?

[Canoe]

If you haven't got the trike yet, and maybe even if you have, check out the thread and links at
viewtopic.php?f=286&t=67811#p983087

If you've got the bucks, a LiFePo4 battery pack powering a controller for a front wheel hub is likely the easiest solution. Europe seems to prefer front hub solutions, North American favors rear hub solutions, with a few odd mid-drive. If you're a DIY type, you can look into adapting rear/mid drive solutions for a bike to your trike.

Note that for playa use, with its 5 mph speed limit, but not usually efficient/practical for home use:

But as your speed is limited on the playa, the voltage your controller will apply to the motor for it to draw current that keeps the e-bike to 5 mph or less will be a lot less than 36 VDC. If your controller will handle it, a 12 VDC at 105 AH or 120 AH deep cycle battery from costco is heavy, but it will take you far at 5 mph....
For playa use at 5 mph, perhaps a different controller (nominal 12 VDC) along with such a battery is better bang for your buck?
You'd go a lot further before you need a recharge.

[Elorrum]

You have lots of options if you want to get a front wheel with hub motor. I haven't purchased one of these, but you might find some referrals on the V is for voltage forum. I purchased a bottom bracket mount motor from cyclone usa out of San Diego and received excellent service and great email correspondence before and after purchase. This was over 8 yrs. ago, and they are still in business.
This sort of motor would work well on a trike I think, you might need to buy more chain, or specify it's for a trike. As to how it works on playa... I haven't brought my e-bike yet, but many have done with hub motors, and friction motors, and had return trips without problem. The bottom mount motor can be "weatherproofed" and they can send you information about where you may apply some silicone sealant if you inquire.

[Meat Hunter]

Thank you for the replies and thoughtful information.

If I had not already had trike for sometime and for occasional chores around the flat areas of the farm.

And, If I did not already have my ride, I would look very hard at another brand of trike with the electronics pre-installed.

If push comes to shove, I may have to dispose of the Meridian and seek out another fully wired brand.

Thank You.

[Canoe]

Highly likely a much better bang for you buck, if you buy the trike and e-bike stuff separately. The pre-integrated trike/e-bike component packages tend to have a large to huge premium.
You have the option of choosing the motor power, controller and type of throttle that best suits your needs.
Some prefer the pre-integrated setups that have pressure sensors on the pedal input, so the assist is automatic and proportional to your pedaling power; but you do pay for that convenience.
But do google to find e-bike forums for a more suitable source of information.
One place where you might find a solution that suits you could be http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=21.

[Canoe]

An example.

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewto ... =6&t=55036

[Meat Hunter]

Thank you guys for the electric tricycle kit information.

After a bit in depth searching, I have found what appears to be the US distributor for the same plug-and-play electric kit for my Schwinn Meridian tricycle that was being sold by the retailer that went out of business

E-BikeKit (Electric Bike Technologies, Newportville, PA).

We exchanged e-mails Wednesday. Due to the weather, they will be closed Thursday. We are scheduled to make verbal contact Friday.