Variation on a Nano conversion

[shingwell]

I've just done a Nano-based conversion of my 2006 Brompton, but I did not want to use the Nano electrified luggage block/converted bag system, but instead to have the battery mounted somewhere on the frame.

I found a 36v bottle battery on eBay that is smaller than the usual ones, at 5.6Ah, so a bit more Brompton-size. I bought a spare so if I want to further I can take it in a bag (fits v.nicely in a C or T bag bottle pocket.) Just need to remove the battery to use "shopping mode".

I'm quite pleased with the result. No fold problems (but heavier than before, obviously) and no bigger, gets me up a long steep hill in 5th that my dodgy knee had previously not managed, retained bag flexibility including none at all, and gets me where I want to go with the flexibility to go further.

 

[kais01]

good place for a battery. congrats

 

[shingwell]

good place for a battery. congrats

Thanks! The battery is locked to a carrier which is currently just cable-tied to the cross bar. I would quite like a more secure fixing - has anyone successfully drilled and tapped a B crossbar (eg for bottle carrier?) Is it thick enough to take a thread?

 

[CaptainWheezy]

has anyone successfully drilled and tapped a B crossbar (eg for bottle carrier?) Is it thick enough to take a thread?

Halfords do a thing that looks like a metal zip tie with bottle boss nuts on it, much better than drilling the frame.

 

[shingwell]

Halfords do a thing that looks like a metal zip tie with bottle boss nuts on it, much better than drilling the frame.

Thanks, I'll check those out, still weighing up my options af the mo. Yes would prefer not to have to drill the bike, but also aiming to be able to leave the bike without the battery going missing (yeah I know you're supposed to be able to take the B with you everywhere but there are times when I'd like to be able to leave it locked up.)

 

[Brocky49]

Thanks! The battery is locked to a carrier which is currently just cable-tied to the cross bar. I would quite like a more secure fixing - has anyone successfully drilled and tapped a B crossbar (eg for bottle carrier?) Is it thick enough to take a thread?

Yes, I have drilled the frame to add a couple of M5 Rivnuts for a bottle holder. The kit contained rivnut sizes upto M8 but I would have thought M6 would be adequate for your application. See attached

 

[shingwell]

@Brocky49 thank you very much, looks very tidy and just the job I need!

 

[FolderBeholder]

Looks like a nice conversion. Well executed. Bravo!

 

[shingwell]

Thank you! Rivnuts were just the job to finish it all off properly, in the end I used two M5s at the standard bottle holder spacing, which is fine for a small battery like this one, it doesn't weigh any more than a full bottle. I used stainless steel rivuts and bolts for rust reasons, and before fitting them painted the insides of the holes with two coats of Hammerite.

So job now finished if I can resist tinkering!

 

[FolderBeholder]

and before fitting them painted the insides of the holes with two coats of Hammerite

Ha! Proof positive I’m not the ONLY one obsessive enough to go to this level of precautionary detail (despite the fact that I live in a very arid climate of mostly single-digit humidity)

Must show your post above to the Missus....