Cyclecharge

[indalo]

With reference to the recent project, as I don't seem to have read anything of it lately, (although I may have missed it,) is there anything new?

While I'm on the subject, how long would a battery need to spend on charge to make any significant difference? I realise that's a "piece of string" question but I can't imagine my battery, if considerably depleted, gaining a great deal from a charge lasting as long as it takes me to down a coffee and a Danish. I'm aware that different types of battery have different recharging durations but most require a lot longer than a brief stop at a tearoom to make any real impact.

The little Cytronex Ni-Mh battery charges from very low to full in little over an hour I believe but most Li-ion batteries need a lot longer. Have any members made use of the facility and reported back to the forum? Again, if there has been feedback, I must have missed it.

Indalo

 

[flecc]

Earlier stages of a battery charge are at a much higher rate than when the charge is nearing the end when the battery is fairly full, so even a short recharge of a partially depleted battery can be worthwhile. And there's always the option of an extra coffee to wash down that Danish.

I'm sure someone from Cyclecharge will respond shortly, but it is early days yet, indeed only 36 days since I made a contribution to the initial costs in answer to their appeal. Setting up a useful network will take considerable time and effort from the volunteers who are running it.

 

[kitchenman]

I'm sure someone from Cyclecharge will respond shortly ...

One of the ideas discussed at one of the meetings that were held was to post regular updates to the forum even if there was no update. I was thinking that this should be at least weekly although I suspect that for now we should make that at least monthly! .. I'll start the thread now!

 

[Deleted member 4366]

I realise that's a "piece of string" question but I can't imagine my battery, if considerably depleted, gaining a great deal from a charge lasting as long as it takes me to down a coffee and a Danish. I'

Indalo

Quite right. Time for a pint or two.........................or three.

 

[wurly]

I'm sure Lynda will back soon to get the idea back on track.

I think it's because of the winter, it has that effect. I havn't been for a bike ride anywhere other than just getting to and from work in the last couple of months. I have a couple of long rides down to the coast planned for this year, so i would need a couple charging points on route.

 

[kitchenman]

One of the ideas is to have a quick join option. The idea here is that anyone who is remotely interested can simply send an email to something like quick@cyclecharge.org.uk. No need to provide any details in the email body text. Just a empty email if you like. This will cause an default account to be created with the minimum of fuss. What good is this? ... Well, we could established how many people have registered an interest. When someone is planning a journey that requires a CycleCharge point they could email plan@cyclecharge.ork.uk which would result in their email being broadcast to the community who would then have the opportunity to offer the service if they are in the right area and available etc ... This will mean that the community will know what activity there is even if they are not able to offer the service .. Once the project gets going and members can be found on a map etc.. then the need for this quick service will diminish.

 

[funkylyn]

Hi folks,
Have just seen this thread.....only just arrived back in Ilminster at midnight after a 3 day journey from hell (dont go there !) culminating in me slipping on the decking letting the dogs out, knocking myself semi unconscious on a handy plant pot and spraining my wrist....been awake so many hours now I think I have gone past it !!
Cyclecharge....well...almost there, its a wonder Paul and I arent totally grey after all the printing probs we have had...BUT...proofs are here, membership cards are on their way and we will SOON have lots of news to tell...then it will be all systems go !!
More to follow when I feel more human......god knows when that will be ....lol

Lynda

 

[eddieo]

Hope you recover quickly Lynda and had an enjoyable trip.....

Bosch system bikes have a 4.2 amp charger. full charge 2.5 hrs. Cant quite remember but either 80 or 90% charge in 1.5 hrs You even get a likle bag to strap it to bike.

 

[flecc]

Yes, take it easy Lynda and rest first, the jobs will still be there later.

 

[kitchenman]

Dont worry Lynda. You rest up. I'm holding the fort (literally!)

 

[funkylyn]

Fantastic Alan...well done !!
I can just see you cycling into work in that.....watch the pole though !

Head is healing ...even if daughter did think I needed a couple of stitches.....I just couldnt face A&E.....and it didnt bleed that much.....just hurt a lot....few glasses of Rose' helped that though
Bruises are starting to look decorative though...and I can still drive one handed, but maybe better not take the Tonaro out until I can trust my left hand again.
Meanwhile, Cyclecharge.......hopefully a few more days should sort all the problems out.......it is going to be SO worth all the challenges we have faced.

Lynda

 

[morphix]

With reference to the recent project, as I don't seem to have read anything of it lately, (although I may have missed it,) is there anything new?

While I'm on the subject, how long would a battery need to spend on charge to make any significant difference? I realise that's a "piece of string" question but I can't imagine my battery, if considerably depleted, gaining a great deal from a charge lasting as long as it takes me to down a coffee and a Danish. I'm aware that different types of battery have different recharging durations but most require a lot longer than a brief stop at a tearoom to make any real impact.

The little Cytronex Ni-Mh battery charges from very low to full in little over an hour I believe but most Li-ion batteries need a lot longer. Have any members made use of the facility and reported back to the forum? Again, if there has been feedback, I must have missed it.

Indalo

Hi Indalo,

I think Lyn has already replied but thought I'd add to her comments for those wanting a further update... sorry its taken me a while, I'm very busy lately juggling my business studies OU course with my work and hobbies, so have been away from the forum for a few weeks.

Basically we ran into some delays and setbacks with CycleCharge concerning the charge point sticker printing which turned out to be a much more complicated affair than initially expected! We are making progress though, and have the membership cards printed already and expect to have the stickers within about 2 weeks or so. We had planned to officially launch last month so it looks like a February launch is on the cards now instead.

To coincide with the official launch I will be unveiling a makeover for the website which will incorporate the mapping and directory feature for locating charge points, which is something I have been working on.

Regarding your question about the battery charging... obviously as you say there's no standard battery size and people will have different charging needs depending on how large and how depleted their battery is. We don't plan to have any hard and fast rules on how long someone can charge for, but charge points may have their own rules of course, i.e. you may have to be a paying customer in some places. I think where you see charge points which are cafe-type businesses it would be better for urban members to view these more as "top-up" charging places and stop more frequently for shorter charging intervals (perhaps 30-50% charge cycle)..unless its safe to leave equipment there. Obviously other more rural places may be more suitable for longer charging over several hours, for instance a B&B/hotel or "day out" venues.

I guess this is something we will work out as the scheme matures and charge points start joining... the directory will be able to provide info on each charging point so members know in advance before visiting, and we can look at making the directory compatible with mobile-internet devices.

My own battery is a 10Ah Lithium-Ion and takes under 3 hours for a full charge.

Paul

 

[morphix]

Earlier stages of a battery charge are at a much higher rate than when the charge is nearing the end when the battery is fairly full, so even a short recharge of a partially depleted battery can be worthwhile. And there's always the option of an extra coffee to wash down that Danish.

I'm sure someone from Cyclecharge will respond shortly, but it is early days yet, indeed only 36 days since I made a contribution to the initial costs in answer to their appeal. Setting up a useful network will take considerable time and effort from the volunteers who are running it.

So true flecc. Although we have a "core" of volunteers and generous forum members who have supported the scheme financially..the brunt of the work in getting the scheme up and running falls onto myself and Lynda. Not that we're complaining. It's just I have limited amount of time and the early part of getting this scheme going is where it requires the most work and time, we also have to rely more on outside firms. The biggest challenge has been the stickers... we had no idea what we were getting into with commercial printing! Well part of the problem was the design we had chosen wasn't really suitable for CMYK colour printing and then the artwork on the backup design wasn't high resolution enough to get decent results. On top of that, the two printers we had been discussing it with were slow to respond and eventually couldn't do what we needed anyway so we lost several weeks, but did manage to learn a lot more about printing

I've now found a new company that is specialised in Window stickers and although the cost is a bit higher, it looks like they can produce what we need. Wisper Bikes has very kindly offered to cover some of the cost of our labels with a sponsorship deal so that will soften the cost.

Once the stickers are delivered we can really get things moving quite quickly. It's the main challenge at this point. We already have the membership cards printed and ready to go out to members who want one, and the website will shortly be ready to sign-up charge points. Then it's over to volunteers to get out there and start spreading the word to businesses with leafleting or writing to your local newspapers or whatever creative ideas they can come up with. There is a flyer available to download for potential charge points explaining how the scheme works... and Lynda and I have discussed and planned making a video introducing the scheme..so that is in the pipeline later on and we may need some help with that from any members handy with video editing or speaking in front of a camera

 

[neptune]

I have just become a member , and seem to have missed this Cyclecharge thing . Am I right in thinking that it is a scheme wherby members offer charging facilities to other members ? If so it is an excellent idea . All one would need to provide at a minimum would be a mains socket and a cup of tea or coffee , bring your own charger .

 

[flecc]

It's meant for commercial premises like pubs, restaurants and cafes etc to offer charging while paused, hence the window stickers, but I suppose personal locations might be possible. That's one for Paul or Lynda I think.