Philippines Pedicab (Trisikad) Conversion

[rbscebu]

IT WORKS!

Over the past few months, I converted my 26" mountain bike (MTB) into a rear drive ebike using the kit describer earlier in this thread. After getting everything working on the MTB, I measured the motor's static torque and found it to be 104Nm. This was determined by measuring the maximum static force the MTB could exert using motor only. It was found to be 32kg (314N) with a wheel radius of 0.33m.

With the trisikad conversion still on my mind, I measured the maximum static torque that Erwin (the trisikad owner) could exert using his pedal power only on his trisikad. The result was 74Nm. This was measured similarly to the MTB and the maximum staic force was found to be 30kg (294N) with a wheel radius of 0.25m. It now became apparent that the same conversion kit could be used to convert his trisikad to electric power.

A second conversion kit (the same as the first) was ordered (USD276) and 48V charger (USD10), all from China. Four 12V 16Ahr SLA batteries were ordered (USD100) from Manila. All prices included delivery to Cebu.

Originally we were going to fit the motor to the right-hand (rear) wheel. After observing the operation of the trisikad, I found that when it turns, it does so using the right-hand wheel as its pivot. A right-hand drive wheel was not going to work. We then decided to fit the motor to the left-hand rear wheel.

The first job was to move the band brake on the existing left-hand rear wheel to the front wheel. While doing this, we had our bicycle wheelwright dismantle the left-hand rear wheel and fit the 48V x 1000W brushless non-geared motor. In doing this, he used 10G stainless steel spokes and fitted a new 20" x 2.125" tyre and tube. Total cost USD13.

The now powered left-hand rear wheel was a tight fit into the bicycle's frame but we eventually got it fitted.

Yesterday we completed this project by installing the batteries, controls and wiring. By 6pm all was finished and Erwin took his e-trisikad for its first run. He returned 30 minutes later with that "ebike-grin".

I will get some photos and post them within a day or so.

This is the first e-trisikad that we know of in Cebu province and possibly the first in the Philippines. There are more than 5,000 trisikads in our City of Lapu-Lapu.

 

[rbscebu]

Now for some photos of the converted trisikad:

Left Rear Wheel with Hub Motor


Batteries and Control Box
(seat removed for clarity)


Right Rear Wheel with Disc Bake
(Yes, a new tyre will be fitted soon)


Handlebar with Thumb Throttle,
Brake Levers and Headlight


Overall View
​

The hub motor came laced to a 26" wheel. We removed the hub motor and had it re-laced to a 20" wheel.

The trisikad's existing band brake was transferred from the left rear wheel to the front wheel. The bicycle frame just did not have sufficient clearance to mount the disc brake on the left rear wheel with hub motor so the disc brake was mounted on the right rear wheel. When we have the funds, the front band brake will be replaced with a disc brake. Until then, the trisikad is operated at reduced speed.

The PAS has yet to be fitted. There are problems in that the bicycle is fitted with a one-piece crank that has a rather large diameter crank hub. We are looking a various options.

The horn and headlight are both 48V and still need to be wired into the system.

We loaded the trisikad up with driver and 250kg (550 lb) of cargo and took it for a run. The motor had no problems moving this load on all roads that the trisikad operates on.

The trisikad gets over 60km (37 miles) range normal operations on one charge with the 4 x 12V 16Ahr batteries and has a maximum speed of 38kph (24mph) on the flat without cargo (passengers).

There is still some tidying up to do, but the main thing is that we found out that it works.

Total cost of conversion was a little under USD400. That is a lot of money for a triskad owner/operator who does well to make USD10 per 12-hour working day.

 

[JRA]

Great work! I bet it won’t be the last eTrisikad in the Philippines.

 

[Trail Cruiser]

Now for some photos of the converted trisikad:

View attachment 28310View attachment 28311
Left Rear Wheel with Hub Motor

View attachment 28312
Batteries and Control Box
(seat removed for clarity)

View attachment 28313
Right Rear Wheel with Disc Bake
(Yes, a new tyre will be fitted soon)

View attachment 28314
Handlebar with Thumb Throttle,
Brake Levers and Headlight

View attachment 28315
Overall View
​

The hub motor came laced to a 26" wheel. We removed the hub motor and had it re-laced to a 20" wheel.

The trisikad's existing band brake was transferred from the left rear wheel to the front wheel. The bicycle frame just did not have sufficient clearance to mount the disc brake on the left rear wheel with hub motor so the disc brake was mounted on the right rear wheel. When we have the funds, the front band brake will be replaced with a disc brake. Until then, the trisikad is operated at reduced speed.

The PAS has yet to be fitted. There are problems in that the bicycle is fitted with a one-piece crank that has a rather large diameter crank hub. We are looking a various options.

The horn and headlight are both 48V and still need to be wired into the system.

We loaded the trisikad up with driver and 250kg (550 lb) of cargo and took it for a run. The motor had no problems moving this load on all roads that the trisikad operates on.

The trisikad gets over 60km (37 miles) range normal operations on one charge with the 4 x 12V 16Ahr batteries and has a maximum speed of 38kph (24mph) on the flat without cargo (passengers).

There is still some tidying up to do, but the main thing is that we found out that it works.

Total cost of conversion was a little under USD400. That is a lot of money for a triskad owner/operator who does well to make USD10 per 12-hour working day.

Great job! Which locality in Cebu do you operate! In a short time, your area will be filled with copycats and that will gain interests for other tsikad on the rest of the country. Three thumbs up for you!

 

[rbscebu]

Great job! Which locality in Cebu do you operate! In a short time, your area will be filled with copycats and that will gain interests for other tsikad on the rest of the country. Three thumbs up for you!

I am based in Lapu-Lapu City on Mactan Island. There are over 5,000 trisikad on the island and many more throughout the Philippines.

Unfortunately not may trisikad owners can afford the conversion to an E-kad. They do well to earn USD9 per day and with that have to support their family.

What Erwin and I are now looking at is if having an E-kad makes more money. Triskads charge per person (3 passengers maximum) per trip. This can be either PHP5 (USD0.09), PHP10 (USD0.19) or PHP15 (USD0.28) depending on distance traveled.

To make more money, the E-kad has to charge more and/or carry more passengers during a 12- hour work day.

So far passengers like the E-kad more because it's faster. I have mentioned to Erwin that passengers will generally pay more for a faster trip. He has to balance out passenger numbers verses fare.

If daily earnings can be increased by about PHP100 (USD1.85) per day, an E-kad conversion becomes viable.

 

[rbscebu]

Erwin's E-kad has now been operational for a month without any problems. It is used daily for about 8 to 10 hours.

Erwin reports that using the E-kad has increased his income by between PHP100 and PHP150 (about USD2.30) per day. That is about a 25% increase over his pre-E-kad day.

His increased income is due to him doing more trips per day because he is faster and that he doesn't need to rest during his workday. He also finds that customers prefer to ride in his E-kad rather than the normal trisikad.

All we need to learn now is the overall life of the SLA batteries.

If the conversion kit equipment lasts a year, an E-kad conversion could be economically viable!

The only down-side is that Erwin is starting to put on a little weight with less exercise.

 

[JRA]

Erwin needs to back off the Balut and Beer

Glad to hear the eKad is going well

 

[rbscebu]

Erwin says his eKad is now perfect. He:

1. Replaced the 6 chain sprockets on the rear hub with a single chain sproket (reducing the hub width),
2. fitted a 160mm disk brake to the front wheel,
3. fitted a band brake to the rear wheel,
4. fitted a 48V LED headlight, and
5. fitted a 48V horn.

With his increased income he purchased a new sidecar (P3,700 or about USD72) and is saving to replace the batteries when they wear out. After 3 months of daily use and charging, Ewrin says that the batteries are still performing like new. It will be interesting to see how long they last.

Erwin also reports that the braking system is now perfect for his needs.

 

[rbscebu]

Some photos if the eKad now:

​

 

[rbscebu]

Erwin's next modification is to fit a USB charger for his passengers to use. We have ordered a 48V USB charger from China (P320 including delivery).

 

[harryS]

The whole sidecar was replaced? Oh, I thought that was a nice repaint. Looks good though!

 

[rbscebu]

Yes, the whole sidecar was replaced. The old sidecar was about 10yo, badly rusted through in places and starting to break up.

 

[rbscebu]

About a month ago, Erwin started charging P2 (USD0.04) extra per person. He says that his passenger numbers have stayed about the same and that they accept paying more for an e-kad.

Financially this project is looking good. A new set of SLA batteries will cost about P6k (USD115).

 

[Reserved11]

You have enough space for lead acid batteries under the seat. You will just need a charger that max out at 54 volts, A 2-3 amp charger is gentle to the batteries and help prolong battery life!

 

[rbscebu]

An update on the E-kad:

After 8 months of operation, the E-kad has been trouble free. A single battery charge has been lasting all day with the 48V 16Ahr battery bank being recharged overnight.

After over 200 recharges, the SLA batteries are only now starting to slightly loose their capacity. During the 8 months, Erwin has been able to save $300 from his extra income so can easily afford a new battery bank at $107 (including delivery from Manila).

Of course the conversation will not last forever. Erwin understands and will continue saving to cover the cost of replacement.

This has been a very successful project and had helped a good but poor family.

 

[harryS]

Appreciate the update, rbsceu.

In the western world where most ebikes are expensive toys, most people look at the simplest chinese ebike technology with disdain, yet a huge amount of people rely on it for their transportation, and it's still barely affordable for the masses.