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Post by FrankenMech on Nov 18, 2013 22:39:05 GMT -6
Thanks Luke, the errands are what I do. Longer trips will have to wait for the truck to be repaired or even the Lincoln to get a new motor. Things just take me -forever- to do. I do what I can though.
I have had my scoot down for maintenance, about two weeks, for an oil change, front suspension lubrication, and some modifications. I lost the guts out of my muffler so I fabricated a multi-layer spark arrester from two sizes of screen wire. I think it was too much and plugged the exhaust. I could not get the scoot to start. I ran the battery down, recharged, and tried again with the 'plug' removed. It sputtered a couple times but would not start again. That automatic enrichment circuit seems to be a PITA. I may have to wire a de-choke button to heat the unit for a few seconds to essentially turn it OFF. I have to crack the throttle to get it to start when warm. When running 'errands' I typically have a lot of warm or hot starts. Flooding the engine with fuel seems to take hours to clear. It may take some studying about the 'problem'. Someone must have experienced it before with these automatic chokes.
I really need to start a modifications thread. I will have to borrow a camera then take lots of pills to get steady enough to use it. My 'modification' list is three pages long.
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Post by FrankenMech on Nov 18, 2013 20:00:07 GMT -6
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Post by FrankenMech on Nov 18, 2013 19:09:22 GMT -6
It looks like I must be paranoid or something. Maybe Murphy has chased me around too often.
Are these scooters that reliable? Did I get a bad first impression when mine would not start when it was new?
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Post by FrankenMech on Nov 18, 2013 13:09:08 GMT -6
I also carry a cell phone and that was all in my truck. It had a proven track record of reliability though.
One of my spare CDI units is a 'hot' spare just waiting to be plugged in.
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Post by FrankenMech on Nov 18, 2013 12:09:00 GMT -6
With a new unfamiliar Chinese scooter I carry a lot of tools and spares. I figure with the tools and supplies I have I can fix about anything short of a blown engine, broken frame, or shredded/sliced tire. What all do you 'experienced' scooter addicts carry? I am currently carrying: Tool roll with select wrenches, nut drivers, screw drivers, pliers. Tool notebook case with hex keys, small screwdrivers, 1/4 & 3/8" drive sockets, extensions, ratchet, etc. CO2 tire inflator with extra cartridge. Tire plug kit. A couple blue paper shop towels, hand wipes. A set of home made 12AWG jumper cables with clips on one end and a connector that fits one on my trike on the other. My scoot is new but the battery is old. Electrical tape, VOM, wire, stripper (not a dancer  ), zip ties, a dozen extra fasteners. Spares: 2 CDI, spark plug, coil assy, fuel filter, V-regulator. A few bungee cords. I always carry a flashlight or two. I figure the above is way too much but necessary for my 'comfort level' at the moment. Most of my traveling is within a three mile radius. I do have two places I go once per month that are 10 and 6 miles away. I am considering a weekly trip of about 10 miles also. Some of the trips end after dark so I do drive at night. I already weigh 210# without gear. |
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Post by FrankenMech on Nov 18, 2013 1:59:56 GMT -6
In my odd moments I have considered installing a windshield/canopy on my trike for winter snow and year round rain. There are existing mount points to use so it would be detachable. It would not be snazzy looking but then my ruckus style trike is not snazzy in the first place, -it is 'functional'...
Apparently the open sides do not matter a lot unless there is a strong crosswind to blow rain/snow in.
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Post by FrankenMech on Nov 16, 2013 19:11:48 GMT -6
A normal LED emits light from the surface of the chip in many directions but only forwards so a lens in front of the chip can collect and concentrate some of that energy. Most of the energy is emitted perpendicular to the chip surface. There are diagrams and information here: www.google.com/#newwindow=1&q=led+radiation+patternEach one of my 'white' lamps have nine chips with lenses in front of them but a lot of light still scatters to the side. High power LED's need a heatsink which gets in the way of using them with a parabolic reflector. The designs get better all the time. In a normal headlight there is a reflector mounted in front of the filament which reflects light back into the parabolic mirror. Then they also use lenses built into the front of some applications. |
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Post by FrankenMech on Nov 15, 2013 10:34:38 GMT -6
They are stable on smooooooth surfaces. Unfortunately Physics raises it's head for a reality check.
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Post by FrankenMech on Nov 14, 2013 21:44:00 GMT -6
No, no, no, you have the arrows going the wrong way. Current (electrons) travel from negative to positive. Just a small point clarified by chemists a long time ago. I know, I know, I'm banned.... ;D Actually there are several ways to hook the system up but the one above works. Some scoots have switches on the side or center stand also for safety. |
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Post by FrankenMech on Nov 14, 2013 21:32:20 GMT -6
There seem to be a lot off units that run 50/50 or about half bright when in the tail light mode. The lights I purchased were that way. I think they need more of an intensity change, maybe 40/60 or 30/70 myself.
The new technology where they use surface mount LED units seems to put out more light. The SMD lights are also built so more of the light goes out the side.
Another problem is that some of the bulbs I have seen are rated for 12v only with dire warnings about failure if 12v is exceeded. The normal operating voltage for a 12v nominal automotive system is around 14v so that 12v only bulb isn't going to work.
A good bulb should have internal voltage regulation. My white 'front' lights are specified to work in 12 and 24v systems and are rated for 10-30v.
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Post by FrankenMech on Nov 14, 2013 17:41:28 GMT -6
That is a nice model. The only difficulty I am seeing with Rev-trikes in general is that the two front wheels twist the scoot whenever one of them hits something or has an increase in drag. It takes a great deal of care to steer one. A normal two-wheel scoot keeps all the forces in line and is much easier to ride (for normal people). The narrower front end should help that problem but will not eliminate it.
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Post by FrankenMech on Nov 14, 2013 17:30:32 GMT -6
Nice find! You can have a lot of fun with that.
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Post by FrankenMech on Nov 14, 2013 0:19:45 GMT -6
Hell with the President, we should make Alley EMPEROR!
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Post by FrankenMech on Nov 13, 2013 20:35:19 GMT -6
I considered turning a 90 Isuzu Trooper into an electric hybrid at one point after it cracked the head for the third time. Rust led me to junk it instead. My Ex never forgave me.
The motor and batteries are only a portion of the conversion cost.
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Post by FrankenMech on Nov 13, 2013 17:19:28 GMT -6
The engines for these things are cheap as long as you don't go through a dealer. Check with some of the advertisers. Otherwise check with Amazon. A lot of Chinese suppliers are selling through Amazon. Shipping may be a problem for you.
Change your profile title to Potagee.... LOL
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), zip ties, a dozen extra fasteners.
