tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19093336938279821732024-08-30T02:00:21.668-04:00Andrew Murphy's blog about making things.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693124242466815975noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909333693827982173.post-38655081160987046112014-09-07T15:44:00.001-04:002014-09-07T15:46:59.053-04:00

Here's the new E3D hotend which I've built a bracket for, so that it will attach to my old Cupcake's print head stand.  Next I need to work out how to attach a stepper motor in place of the old DC one.  This will involve creating a geared torque converter so time to figure out feed rates, torque conversions and gear ratios.  Then sourcing the parts. Woo! Fun times! :)

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693124242466815975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909333693827982173.post-91180837104521750362014-08-08T21:15:00.002-04:002014-09-07T15:44:52.282-04:00

Just a note for myself: https://groups.google.com/d/msg/makerbot/PTX49WKtrSc/tB8xUmIzFI0J

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693124242466815975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909333693827982173.post-19883046911841981322014-01-15T22:44:00.001-05:002014-01-15T22:46:31.825-05:00

Started working on my e-bike's frame, chopping off a few pieces that I didn't like the looks of. Before going at it with a hacksaw and Ryobi, I marked where I was considering taking pieces off. Here is it, just after the initial chopping. And after the rough cleanup.  I also chopped some pieces off of the swing arm.  I might remove a few more pieces, but I have other fish

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693124242466815975noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909333693827982173.post-2094535495585255322013-12-29T21:48:00.001-05:002013-12-29T21:48:20.691-05:00

My computer has been giving me BSOD issues lately, and after some initial investigation my partner determined that it was either: the memory the CPU the motherboard the BIOS Swapping the primary BIOS chip (my mobo has a backup as well) is the least expensive solution at roughly $20 to buy one on eBay, so I've given that a try.  Unfortunately it was not a simple matter of unplugging the old

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693124242466815975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909333693827982173.post-43619839929079579882013-10-21T10:16:00.000-04:002013-10-21T10:21:43.102-04:00

Finally stuck the Toyota 'pretzel' and 'iQ' badges that I modified to my iQ. \o/ Also check out my awesome Halloween themed dashboard mascot: "dead bunni."  (It's actually a squeaky toy for dogs.)

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693124242466815975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909333693827982173.post-84254975441377582032013-07-25T21:00:00.001-04:002013-07-25T21:00:30.239-04:00

Went shopping this evening, nothing amazing about that, standing in checkout I decided to look something up on my Nexus 7 only to discover that the screen has mysteriously cracked. I write "mysteriously" because I can not remember anything happening that could have caused it to break.  It was in the case that I purchased with it from Google and I don't remember bumping into anything.  

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693124242466815975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909333693827982173.post-56446721078248860642013-05-23T12:59:00.002-04:002013-05-23T13:00:15.626-04:00

That's what I've heard them called on the V-Strom forums.. add on parts to make your motorcycle your own.  Which is what I've been doing for the past week or so.  I ordered some electrical cables and fuse boxes from Eastern Beaver, which arrived last week so I spent the long weekend getting them installed. I've got the H4 Dual Headlight Relay Kit and the 3 Circuit Solution

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693124242466815975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909333693827982173.post-39769342367076470982013-04-13T23:33:00.001-04:002013-04-13T23:33:08.204-04:00

Sorry things have been rather quiet on this blog lately.  I recently purchased a Scion iQ - trading in my smart ForTwo - and have been focused on getting that set up as I'd like it.  It's also motorcycle season again and I've been adding gear to my Suzuki V-Strom 650 to get it ready for my summer vacation; a two week long ride to the west coast and back again. My e-bike project has

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693124242466815975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909333693827982173.post-65506989718343178712012-11-05T23:11:00.001-05:002012-11-10T22:37:42.854-05:00

Feeling that it's time to get back to work on my e-bike project, I've started work on rebuilding the electrics.  This will involve two sub-projects; re-building the battery pack and stripping and re-building the wiring harness. I've disassembled the battery and will be ordering a few bits and pieces to put it all back together again as sort of a cylinder. I'm considering putting in a fan

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693124242466815975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909333693827982173.post-30485899802694380422012-09-15T22:54:00.005-04:002012-09-15T22:54:49.258-04:00

I've been curious about the horn on my Switch 100 since I first set eyes on it.  A simple horn does not need these many wires. I think it's probably part of the security system, a hypothesis that's supported by the way that the power on/off key switch consists of just two wires. Lets see what's inside.  A bit of prying with a wood chisel and... The back of this board

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693124242466815975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909333693827982173.post-91915248004953835522012-08-22T10:52:00.001-04:002012-08-22T10:59:45.427-04:00

Not much to look at, but parked out on the street there - almost completely hidden behind the lamp post and my coworker's big Harley - is my wee Honda CBR125R, who I call "Arthur". I bought him third hand, about two and a half years ago, and since then he's been my work-horse of a bike.  Getting me to-and-fro on my daily commute, weather permitting.  Much like this photo he's done

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693124242466815975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909333693827982173.post-41492120908423720492012-08-06T20:52:00.003-04:002012-08-06T21:06:03.375-04:00

I attended the first anniversary meet of the Toronto Electric Riders Assoc., at Cafe Uno in the Distillery District.  This morning I decided, 'Heck with it.. my e-bike is more-or-less ride-able - I'll take that.'  I've already worked out a route to take if/when I ride my e-bike to work, and the Distillery District is right on the route, so it seemed like a great test to see if it - and

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693124242466815975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909333693827982173.post-12959368564848712202012-08-03T00:25:00.001-04:002012-08-03T00:26:14.316-04:00

Currently my e-bike project is on "pause" while I wait for packages to arrive and figure out how I'm going to reduce the frame weight. Package #1 is coming from Taiwan, and is four "LM2596HV DC-DC 4.5-55V Adjustable Power Supply Converter Step-down Modules" from ProDCtoDC.com  I plan to use these, perhaps in conjunction with other electronic components, to convert my battery pack's mighty

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693124242466815975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909333693827982173.post-31510036449140321812012-07-29T10:21:00.000-04:002012-07-29T10:23:07.943-04:00

After looking through the bike ranges of every company that sells motorcycles in Canada, there are three bikes on my short-list: Honda NC700, Suzuki V-Strom 650 and Triumph Tiger 800.Yesterday I drove four hours to North Bay Cycle & Sports to take part in an official "Ride With Us" event put on by Honda. I spent 45 minutes riding the NC700X in a group of about a dozen other test riders, all

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693124242466815975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909333693827982173.post-17333519750162467922012-07-24T23:28:00.001-04:002012-08-03T00:08:30.284-04:00

Finally took my bike out for a quick spin around the neighbourhood.  Just kind of threw it together, bits of wire hanging out here and there, no lights or signals, bungee cords making sure the battery pack doesn't tumble out. *heh* It was FUN! The motor certainly has a lot of zip to it and quite a pleasingly electric sound.  Vzzzzzzzzzzzziiimmmmmmmmmmmm........... :D

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693124242466815975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909333693827982173.post-14289584543399418192012-07-15T22:21:00.002-04:002012-08-03T00:08:21.020-04:00

Here are updated battery and wiring diagrams, based on things I've figured out since I posted the first set.  Please delete or ignore any previous versions, thanks. :) Battery Wiring Diagram v3 Download a large copy here: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B2ihJ04Ijch5NGkzZ2pMVllMNVk Switch 100 Wiring Diagram v1 Download a PDF here: https://docs.google.com/open?id=

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693124242466815975noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909333693827982173.post-31884779420324620552012-07-15T21:56:00.001-04:002012-08-03T00:08:11.625-04:00

I have determined why my Switch 100's motor running in reverse. Messing around with the wiring, battery and pouring over various diagrams and photos was getting me nowhere, until I spotted something in this photo: I took this when I was disassembling the wheel hub motor - not because it needed fixing, I just wanted to poke around inside and see what was in there.  The photo is of the

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693124242466815975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909333693827982173.post-52252926897220357062012-07-08T00:02:00.001-04:002012-07-08T00:02:46.113-04:00

During the last week I've been re-assembling my Switch 100, getting it ready for a test run to ensure that everything still runs and to determine the battery pack capacity.  I'd like to know roughly how far it will get me on a charge before I try to go anywhere. It's less-than-more together - I'm leaving a lot of cosmetic bits off - and I was test fitting the battery pack when disaster

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693124242466815975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909333693827982173.post-88566427664739348922012-06-23T01:17:00.001-04:002012-07-15T22:02:51.359-04:00

Since my last post about the battery pack, I've been plodding away working on making a wiring diagram for my Switch 100.  Since I plan to make some changes I needed to first work out what I'm starting with. Here's a 'beta' version of the diagram: [ Image Removed ] You can also download a PDF version here:  [ Link Removed ]  I recommend viewing it at 200% size.

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693124242466815975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909333693827982173.post-48345916788566425732012-06-12T00:00:00.003-04:002012-06-12T00:01:21.375-04:00

Just a quick note:  I've tested the battery pack out on my e-bike.. or rather the eviscerated electronics from my e-bike.. and it works!  Powers the lights, the motor and the LOUDEST gods bedamned theft alarm I've ever had go off right next to me. That bloody thing is getting modded ASAP. >.<; Woo!  Next steps will not involve the battery pack, so "part 3 of 3" will be a

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693124242466815975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909333693827982173.post-48740809586915845942012-06-10T12:34:00.004-04:002012-07-08T00:08:47.688-04:00

Moving on to the BMS (Battery Management System), here's the top-side of the BMS that came with my kit. And the wiring diagram that EV Assemble ( http://myworld.ebay.ca/evassemble ) emailed me when the kit shipped from China. (Diagram is copyright EV Assemble and is shown here purely for instructional purposes.) And these are the connectors that came with the kit, and that were

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693124242466815975noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909333693827982173.post-49009252158087670002012-06-05T01:28:00.002-04:002012-06-10T10:53:28.815-04:00

Started assembling the battery pack.. I might do an Instructables about the process, since I've not been able to find any clear "how to" info online about putting together one of these Headway battery kits. CAUTION The batteries come already charged, so keep in mind that you're working with large live sources of electrons.  Be careful! Tools Required Phillips Screwdriver Work Gloves (

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693124242466815975noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909333693827982173.post-70076376266723527502012-05-29T21:49:00.001-04:002012-05-29T21:49:53.305-04:00

My shipment of LiFePO4 batteries has arrived from China. 16 batteries, metal bars for connecting them up, plastic framework for supporting them, Battery Management System, wires and a charging unit.  The charger came with a European style plug, but I have a bunch of spare monitor power cables that will do the job. They are BIG batteries! But all together they should weight less

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693124242466815975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909333693827982173.post-78277217250893044612012-05-21T23:11:00.003-04:002012-05-21T23:12:43.675-04:00

First mod on my e-bike has been to change the colour of the control switches on the handlebars.  Look at those original colours... Eugh!  Like the controls off of some kiddie's toy electric truck or something.  Far too jolly and candy-like for my tastes.  If it had just been red or just blue I could've lived with it, but not both. After disassembly (quite the mess of bits

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693124242466815975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909333693827982173.post-27479850503886104052012-05-21T11:21:00.000-04:002012-05-21T11:27:05.861-04:00

I've added a new project to the pile of things I'm mucking around with:  Building a hybrid e-bike. A while back I saw a "Zhejiang Nicom Electric Vehicle" or e-bike parked on the street out front of the Princess of Whales Theatre in Toronto.  I liked the look of it and though I don't need an e-bike, I thought it would cool to have one. These bikes are sold under a wide variety

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693124242466815975noreply@blogger.com13