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Definitions:Bike Lane Legal: Bike Lane Legal is pretty much what it implies: you follow the same rules as a standard human powered bike or scooter. You use the bike lane when it is present, and you stay as close to the curb when it is not. You use the same hand signals for indicating your intentions in traffic. And you are free from a lot of misery created by the need to regulate high powered combustion devices (cars). No insurance, no registration, no drivers license (although a minor cravat says that you must be licensable). You have an electric motor at your service for replacing or reducing the amount of human muscle provided, and isn't that just super!?
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| Brushed Motor: is a DC motor (two
pronged connection to the motor) that has to transfer the current through
to the spinning center via 'brushes', that continually rub against the side
of the inner turning part, like a pencil against paper. A spring continuously
feeds the 'brush' outwards as it wears down. Eventually the brush
wears down to a nubbin and must be replaced. Also requires periodic
adjustments. Relatively easy to make and is less expensive.
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| Brushless Motor: is an DC motor,
or AC with inverter, (three pronged connection to the motor) that has the
'coils' on the outside and the permanent magnets on the inside, so the power
does not need to be transferred via any moving parts. With no brushes
to wear out, they last much longer and operate more efficiently. The
down side is cost. There's more of it. For more on electric motors, please refer to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_motor
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Controller: The "brains" of the system. It translates the signal from the throttle and directs the motor and provides for the other functions of the system, such as indicators, lights, etc.
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Hub Motor: A hub motor is an electric motor that is built around the axle and turns it directly. Typically these are also brushless motors, however there are some brushed versions of the motors available. Hub motors come in a variety of sizes and power ratings. While they're very efficient and discreet (since there is no motor hanging off to one side to disclose the fact that the bike is electrified) of Mahler's do not typically have the same torque the day chain driven system would have. Because of this, if the terrain one is riding on includes very steep hills they should consider getting a chain driven Electric bike.
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LEV: Light Electric Vehicles. As opposed to full size street legal electric motorcycles or automobiles, or smaller toy scooters for children. Light Electrics are a defined class of electric vehicles in most states and the rules for them can usually be found on your states legal code. Generally you do NOT need a license, registration, or insurance to operate and LEV in a bike lane of on the street and following the same rules of the road as a bicycle or push scooter. Try doing a search for your state and the words "legislature" or "attorney general" to track down your states specific regulations. LEVs are normally treated as Bike Lane Legal.
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Li-Ion: Lithium Ion battery technology. This is the latest and lightest of battery technologies. There are many variations on this technology, and our current advise is to stick with the SLAs for now, and when your initial pack is ready to be replaced, the dust will have settled on the Lithium technology. The newer technologies are safer (early packs where prone to "venting", a polite term for exploding) while retaining the incredible lightness of the Lithium batteries. The weight savings with these batteries are enormous. With these packs, many packs can be stacked for into the hundred(s) of miles per charge without having to lug around massive amounts of mass.
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Low Voltage Cut-Off: This is an attribute of your controller. It is a bit of circuitry that will shut the system down if the output from the battery pack(s) drop below a certain point. This is usually just below the nominal rating for a battery, for example, if your pack is 24V, when it is fully charged it will have a voltage potential measurable with a multi-meter of 28 volts or better. Like most batteries (if you happen to be a nerd who notices these things), by the time the battery gets down to it's rated level, it's practically done for. When a 12V battery gets drained down to 12V, it'd done baby. Toast. The system could continue to drain power from the battery, but it would cause harm to the battery, and cause possible damage to the electronics by working under conditions that will strain components in a way they were not designed for. Thus, the Low Voltage Cut-Off is a practical device and is your friend. NEVER WASTE YOUR MONEY ON EXPENSIVE DEEP DISCHARGE BATTERIES, the low voltage cut-off would never allow for them to be utilized anyway. Those are not for our application.
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NEV: Neighborhood Electric Vehicles. As opposed to Light Electric Vehicles, full size electric automobiles, or private property use only children's scooters. NEVs are usually suited for non-highway, city street use, and is street legal.
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| Ni-MH: Nickel Metal Hydride. The "in
between" battery technology. Lighter (not quite half) than SLA, but
still nowhere near Li-Ion (or Lithium variations). Roughly two thousand
recharges to the pack, making their longer useful lifetime and lighter weight
a real option when time comes to replace those batteries. More expensive,
but far more cost effective than SLAs.
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PAS or Peddle Assist Sensor is a definition of controller
function. It means the controller will only produce output when the
Peddle Assist Sensor tells it that you have begun peddling continuously.
This forces you to get the bike going on YOUR power saving more of its power.
It takes the most energy to get you from a stand-still into motion than
to simply maintain motion, so PAS makes sure you pull your share of the
load by getting things started. Some bikes have both a PAS mode and
an instant start mode (also known as "Throttle And Go" or TAG.). SEE
ALSO: TAG
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| Regenerative Braking: Or simply "regen",
has been long awaited in every level of Electric Vehicle, and the
LEV is no exception. It is only available on a system with a
brushless hub motor and the delay in wide use was the electronics,
getting the rear hub motor to switch to generator when the brakes
are engaged. Sounds simple, but it's not. All Braking Regen units that this writer has seen to date are accomplished in
three stages of increasing generation; squeeze the brakes a little
bit and the motor switches to generator at a low level with a little
stopping power converting to energy, squeeze the brakes further and
stage two kicks in with more braking/regen effect, then finally a
third level of greatest braking and energy recapture is achieved.
If you continue to pull the brakes beyond that (the motor braking
itself is not adequate to stop you in the distance you need to stop)
then traditional braking action comes into play, be it drum brakes
or rubber "V" brakes. If you live in a hilly area or do a lot
of stopping or starting, then Regenerative Braking can be a very
valuable means of attaining the best range for your LEV.
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| SLA(s): Sealed Lead Acid Batteries. Essentially
the same as your car battery, but with gelatin inside instead of water so
they can seal them up and avoid any spilling or leaking of gases.
These are the least expensive of the battery technologies, but has a shorter
life and is very heavy. Sealed Lead Acid Battery (SLA Battery) commonly
refers to a Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) Battery. The term VRLA was
specifically intended to refer to a battery that does not require water
addition but does periodically vent gasses.
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| Street Legal: The meaning of street
legal is a bit misunderstood. Some think it means you can take it
on the street (like a bike, as opposed to an off-road - usually gas powered
- vehicle). Actually, Street Legal means that you are legal to drive
in the street with the flow of other vehicles - in other words, in traffic.
And to do that, you need registration, insurance, and a valid license.
Light electric vehicles, like the bikes and scooters, are referred to as
"Bike Lane Legal" because they follow the same rules, and have the same
level of freedom from regulation, and other expenses, that street legal
vehicles are associated with.
TAG: or Twist And Go (or Instant Start) is a definition of the controller function. It means that the controller will produce output without you doing anything but twist the trottle. Power is instant and is like a motor-scooter or motor-cycle (in action of the wrist only, of course). You turn the throttle and you go. The more you turn it, the faster you go. SEE ALSO: PAS
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