GreenMile~ India's First Electric Quad Bike

Chassis Design

2009-06-05T21:16:00.002+05:30

We have been getting mails and messages requiring blue prints for chassis. There is a lacj of enough info about that on the net.

When we initailly began, we couldn't find any resource on that. We had a hard time deciding on that. We had a few options in mind. We definitely wanted to go for the Fly Type chassis but strictly sticking to it was out of question due to many reasons:

1.) this is an EV and the usual layout would suffice due to the extra requirements like allocation of space for battery.

2.) we hadn't finalised the battery type and all and it could keep changing due to the cost and requiremnts.

3.) we had no previous experience with any pf this designing.

We finally approached Sujith-ettan at Bike World in Kalmandapam, Palakkad. He has some good experience with bike alterations. We put oru problem before him and he said he would help. We drew a rough sketch for him from a few pictures we had and plus the one quad bike we saw at Ernakulam.

We started with the back part. You can see the pictures of the same in earlier posts. Then, we welded together the chassis of a 4S bike and made the necesaary chnages to it.

More details of the chassis design will be put after ur feedbacks.

Thank You.

Chassis

2009-06-02T17:14:00.002+05:30

Pics

2009-05-30T21:25:00.003+05:30

The Final Countdown

2009-05-24T15:13:00.001+05:30

The final countdown for the project presentation is here. The date is June 5th. that gives us 10 days to complete. Now, we have to compete against time.

Wish us all the best.

Update!!!

2009-05-06T11:59:00.003+05:30

It been over a month that we have updated the blog.

We were going thru a time of difficulties. Firstly, we had a problem with the financing. We had cut down ou budget drastically due to various reasons. This isn't fair playground for us. While motor controllers cost aroun 6K in the international market, it costs nearly 20K in our domestic market. It isnt something we could afford. So we have to do without the controller!!! And we didn't have an alternative plan of actions.

The internet is a wondeful invention. We contacted some people over the net. And they were real quick in their response. They are mostly hobbyists and engineers. Worth mentioning are Gav Master from Surat, Prasad from the UK, Jon from the US etc. Now we are on track of bulidin our own simple controller using either PWM or ADC. The finer details haven't been made yet. We'll keep u posted on the developments regularly. U can also help us with ur suggestions in this area.

We got a new shaft on our motor. Had taken it to a local lathe. the guys at Chemmanur lathe in Palakkad did a really good job. We initially had a really small shaft or rather no shaft at all. Now we have a 5 inch shaft!!! Its a good job to say the least.

The works in the chassis area is moving at a snail's pace. We hope to speed it up this week.

Also, we are working on the charger circuit. We have decided to keep it simple. Just a step down transformer and a rectifier.

We have to procure some items. don't know about the price of all that. A potbox would cost somewhere near 5K. Again, its ahuge amount. But in the Indian marlet, we don't have an alternative!!!

Hope that Indian electronics market would flourish and the prices would come down in a few years.

Regards,

Team GreenMile

Update

2009-02-21T16:44:00.002+05:30

This is the latest update on the progress from the Team GreenMile.

We procured the following articles for our project:

1.) 24V, 2 HP, series DC motor

It is a second hand motor but in good condition. We got it from the second hand market in Coimbatore. As DC series motors don't come in this rating (usually comes in 230VDC), you have to custom make a new one. There are a lot of motor manufacturing industries around Coimbatore. Upon enquiry we found that a custom made DC series motor of this rating will cost anywhere from 15K to 20K. We got ours at 8.5K. The motor is in fabulous condition and at this price, its a steal.

2.) two 16 x 4 solid rubber tyres

Forms the back tyres of the quad. Solid tyres, though heavier, are desired as they will be able to withstand all the weight of the vehicle plus make it easily thru all the rough roads. You can find many tyre manufacturers in Coimbatore. There are a lot of wholesale outlets in Upplipalayam, Coimbatore.

3.) two 12 x 2 solid rubber tyres.

These are enough for the front as they are a little less heavier and will be easier to control with the handle bar.

Plus, we have already designed the chassis and the same is being fabricated. More details in a new post exclusively for the chassis.

We are looking for quotations for motor contrillers that we are going to use, prefarbly, Curtis make.

Sponsorship

2009-02-21T16:28:00.008+05:30

Team GreenMile is happy to announce that this project is being partly sponsored by AERO-SPORTS.US. We thank Mr. M.R.K Menon for his dedication, faith and support.

AERO-SPORTS.US

Aero-Sports.US has been founded by M.R.K Menon an NRE based in New York where he is engaged in Computer Training, Accounting Consulting, Film Making etc. Their goal is to introduce Control Line & R/C Model Airplanes in India in a big way. Their factory located in Trivandrum, Kerala has commenced production and our ready to Fly Control Line & R/C model airplanes are available together with an ambitious plan to provide self employment opportunities to 1000 youngsters who are interested in a career in Model Aviation. One of their goals is to sponsor a deserving Aero modeler in India to participate in world class Control Line Flying Championships held in the USA from time to time. M.R.K Menon as CEO of Aero-Sports.Us is an Associate Member of the prestegious AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) the governing body of all types of Aeromodeling activities in the USA.

Back In Action!!!

2009-02-21T16:08:00.003+05:30

Hi friends,

We know that things have been different for quite a few months. Its not that we lacked the enthusiasm that made us take up the project i the first place. Building India's first indigenous electric ATV is no small thing for us. But we were stuck up with the usual college works like exams and assignments. But now, as the last semester has dawned upon us, we are back in action. Things weren't silent while this blog was. Lots were happening at our side. You can catch up on all of that here.

Regards,

Team GreenMile

Design

2008-09-23T11:29:00.003+05:30

Here is the design of our quad-bike, GreenMile. Please not that this is not the final design. Even though some particulars are bound to change, the design essentially would remain the same.

Thank You,

Team GreenMile.

Quad Bikes

2008-09-23T11:10:00.002+05:30

Here are a few pictures of normal, IC engine quad bikes. Our design would be derived from the existing models but with electrically driven. The technical specifications and our intial design would be published in a few days.

Regards,

Team GreenMile.

Welcome!!!

2008-09-23T10:41:00.001+05:30

Hi all,

This is the Team GreenMile!

We are a group of five final year Electrical & Electronics Engineering students from NSS College of Engineering, Palakkad, Kerala, India.
As the final year of our engineering has dawned upon, we had to decide on our main project for the final year. So it was a time to realise an old dream, an EV (plz read electric vehicle). So we've decided to build a quad bike which is an all-terrain vehicle(ATV). Well, u may be thinking what a bunch of electrical engineers are doin with a mechanical bike. Well, our quad-bike is different for it is completely electric, i e, runs on motor powered by battery packs. We've just started with the designs and we need help from all quarters, (finacially and otherwise too). The reason for this blog is that we weren't able to find adequate details on any type of quad bikes on the net and we feel that this will help other people.
As already mentioned, this blog is for sharing information, getting help from people who are into similar projects around the world and for helping our sponsors with the details of the project. We will be giving regular updates here. So please make sure that u visit this blog regularly.
Thank you & Good Day!