Hi Mark,

Thanks for the input.  So it isn't 700 lbs, or even 200 lbs.  When I said "700 lbs" I was facetiously referring to the "total battery" weight if I run both electric motors, the 600w and the 400w. Equipped with only the 600 watt 9 lb electric motor and 2 SLA batterys that weigh a total of 20 lbs, it's still enough weight to make me certain I won't be blown away by the next gale that hits eastern Washington. 

I've looked at NiCads and NiMh battery packs also.   What about Lithium batteries?   They are all expensive... and I still have a suspicion that on my short 4 mile uphill commute, with panniers on both sides stuffed with business clothes, tools and lunch, they will give up and go into "protective mode"  just when I really need them.  By the way, I peddle almost continuously on my ride, and usually after 8 months the batteries have lost storage capacity.   

In order to deliver the Currie's power assist directly to the derailleur we would need to incorporate a  jackshaft to transfer the rotation to the right side of the bicycle, then to a freewheel, and then down to the chain driving the  cluster.  How tough can that be?  I've seen some mid drive power units on motorized recumbents.      
--- In ebikebuilders@yahoogroups.com, "Mark Garvey" <lazybee45@...> wrote:
>
> Cheese Jerry, where did you come up with 700 lbs?. even the SLAs on my
> Currie USPD comes in at 19 lbs, heavy enough but far from 700! If I go to
> relatively low cost, low tech NiCads it will go down to about 12-14 lbs
> battery pack and increased range...NiMh is LOWER weight but higher cost. I
> too would LOVE to hook my Currie to the drive system rather than through the
> wheel, it would make it much more versatile. Right now with even the SLA
> pack it gives e a range of about 20 miles at least using power as I NEED it,
> (not constant) and I am certainly not a HUGE rider. I have to admit that
> the battery pack and motor are nearly as heavy as the trike however!
>
> mark
>
> On 12/21/06, winnieddog1 winnieddog1@... wrote:
> >
> > Hi, My name is Jerry. I commute to my dealership on a Currie USPD 21
> > speed bicycle with a 600w Lashout electric motor. That replaced the
> > original 400w. I've given some thought to re-installing the 400w motor
> > in a position to drive the small chainring so as to take advantage of
> > the 7 gears and combine the wattage of the two motors. The biggest
> > problem would be the required "700 lb" battery package.
> >
> > I've thought about replacing the electric drive system with a new gas
> > engine, either a belt drive or a chain drive (driving the original
> > Currie rear sprocket). I might install the two electric motors on an
> > old SchwinnTwinn I'm rebuilding. I'd appreciate some input on the
> > subject of gas vs. electric. etc.
> >
> > Thanks, Jerry
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
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