LCD Illuminated Consoles

[Dynamic Position]

The 2010 range of Kalkhoff bikes has LCD illuminated consoles. These look quite good but could they be troublesome in winter if exposed to sub zero temperatures similar to what was experienced earlier this year?

 

[flecc]

These are a part of the Panasonic designed unit of course, so I very much doubt there will be any problem. Hokkaido (Northern Japan) can have extremely harsh winters so Panasonic will not be a stranger to such conditions.
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[Bob_about]

Hi Dynamic

Dont know about the Kalkhoff, but my Ezee Sprint has the large back lit LCD display fitted.

I missed the really bad snowy weather as I started using it on 1st March, but experience so far is .....

The first three weeks were dry and bright and most journeys in the first two weeks were in sub zero conditions. The bike is kept outside in a brick built shed/outhouse where the overnight temperature was around plus 3-4 degrees.

(and yes, I kept the batteries on the bike, and charged them in there to no obvious ill effect except slightly longer charge times)

I can report that the backlit LCD display had no problems and worked fine coming from 3 or 4 degrees in the shed out to minus 4 or 5 degrees excluding windchill outside. No condensation and everything displayed fine.

I would, however expect some condensation to form if I had kept the bike indoors at 20 degrees and then taken it out to minus 5 just because of the water vapout in the warm air - I would still expect it to function though. This is from experience with my waterproof digital camera which I keep in the house - on occassions I have had the battery compartment open indoors to change the battery / SD card and then closed everything up and taken it outside into the freezing cold only to have condensation form inside.

The backlit display is very good, easy to read and reasuring in the dark so if the Kalkhoffs are similar I`d think they are a good option. I am certainly happy with mine.

Hope thats of interest.

Cheers

Bob_about

 

[Tex]

bob. off topic, but interested in your signature that your ezee has two batteries running in parrallel? is this a hack or a factory option?

(be nice if such an option was available as a kit!)

 

[Tex]

ps. my bionx (lcd) console is backlit-illuminated and has been through some pretty heavy rain. works fine (when the motor's not blown )

 

[Bob_about]

Two Batteries

bob. off topic, but interested in your signature that your ezee has two batteries running in parrallel? is this a hack or a factory option?

(be nice if such an option was available as a kit!)

Hi Tex

Two Batteries, One Bike, One Love !

Although I had the second connector wired in by OnBike at the point of sale (and as such it is covered by the warranty) I undersatnd from Andrew that all new Ezee bikes come with a twin battery option (ie the wiring is already there) Their website now shows all Ezee bikes with an XR option to add a second battery.

After some deliberation I went for the 8.1Ah LiFePO4 as my second battery and will be interested to see if it lasts any longer than the 14Ah Li+Poly. To date I have been switching both batteries on everytime out and still have plenty left after 40 miles. I am thinking of trying using then singly at some stage to see how many miles I can squeeze out of each on my regular commute, but for now I enjoy the incredible power of two in parralel.

My decision did attract some comment at the time I posted about it that there was no need for two batteries and I would be carrying more than I needed. This has probably proven to be true, I have plenty left after 40 miles and could probably manage 80 easily, but the power and the confidence I have are worth it in my opinion and I can be confident I am not deep discharging on a daily basis.

I am not sure if it is available on the Ezee kits, but I`m sure Andrew at OnBike could advise. I`m also not sure what is necessary wiring wise, but guess its a bit more complicated than a couple of cable blocks which is how my logic would have approached it!

All the best

BoB_about

 

[flecc]

Yes, it's also an after-market fit as well and has a choice of second battery types, the standard li-polymers or the lithium iron phosphate ( LiFePO4 ).
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