Brilliant!  Well-written and illustrated so that even us dumb mechanical engineers can understand.

Thanks and Happy New Year!

Thanks for that latest update, Ray, to help save the rest of us from running into the same headache.  So there are doublers behind the box to give the screws more to bite into?  That's a good design detail if so.

I looked at just popping off the ends and sealing them, but as I recall I noticed a gasket already there, so didn't bother.  As I mentioned, I don't ride in the wet and the MiniST controller mount is high up and toward the rear so I figure it'll be ok since the mfgr. would have been aware these things are used outside and would design accordingly.

Happy New Year!

Quote from: RayStDenis on December 31, 2021, 07:18:54 PMI'm in the process of waterproofing the controller as I can see several places where water could easily come in.

I've considered doing that as well, with some silicone sealant, but I don't ride in the rain, the MiniST's controller is mounted high enough to avoid puddle problems and my engineer brain keeps thinking that some moisture will accumulate inside from condensation over time and if it's well-sealed, how will that moisture ever get out, to avoid corrosion problems?

Would appreciate some input from others using this controller upgrade - does it get warm enough with ordinary use or sitting in the sun to drive any accumulated moisture out if sealant isn't applied?

Back in college, I learned how to pick a few types of locks just for fun and got pretty good at it (that, plus learning how to tap a beer keg, were almost as useful as my engineering degree), so every now and then I take a look at the recent videos from The Lock-Picking Lawyer https://www.youtube.com/c/lockpickinglawyer/videos.

He's done a ton of padlocks, chain locks, bar locks and U-locks for bikes, so might be worth checking on models of interest before buying.  For instance, he busted right through the heaviest ABUS folding-bar lock that's touted in many places and costs a lot of money.  I can only imagine the cheaper knockoffs wouldn't be any more difficult.  I have an ABUS Granit U-lock; they make great lock mechanisms and the U-locks are very tough to cut through compared to the folding bars.

These days, with battery-powered angle grinders and hydraulic cutters, it's worth putting a bit of thought into using a locking position that provides no or little leverage assistance or supporting surface to work against - like don't leave it where the lock is on the ground against concrete or other solid surface to work a bolt-cutter against.  Locking up high if possible, where nothing can be placed behind the lock, makes it more time-consuming to cut through.  And "security ratings" from companies you've never heard of can be skeevy.

Also, be very skeptical of "bike-replacement guarantees" offered by Kryptonite and other companies - it's very easy to find numerous complaints about the methods they use to weasel out of these and tell the applicant to suck eggs.

Think like a criminal; make it take too long, be too noisy or too likely to be noticed and they'll hopefully move along to an easier target unless they really want your specific bike.

Quote from: ClarkB on December 30, 2021, 02:56:44 PMI'm a new Rad ST owner and I just bought one of these "Victgoal" brand helmets which has great features and quality for the price.

I looked up my noggin in Kelley Blue Book and even battle-damaged from life and now fully depreciated, it said my head was still worth more than 40 bucks.

Quote from: JillGat on December 30, 2021, 05:22:44 PMDo people steal the bike batteries and what is the best way to secure them?

Pic below of the small U-lock I bought to help keep my MiniST battery onboard (added the reinforced plastic tubing to make it tighter and protect the paint); you didn't say which model you have - I think the MiniST is the only one that can be locked in place with this method, but not sure.

But it gets even worse - every prior-generation (up through the new semi-integrated design) battery can be easily stolen with a blank Honda motorcycle key available for about 7 bucks on eBay.  Turns out, the lock mechanism that Rad uses opens with a blank.  I carry a blank key with me to prove this to other Rad owners I encounter who don't believe it, by turning their battery off with it.   How's that for a dumb design?

Quote from: Ryan on December 30, 2021, 04:16:54 PMThe Sena helmets are awesome if you ride frequently with others.

I love my Sena, even though I almost never ride with others and none of them own a Sena.  I love listening to podcasts while riding, keeping my ears open to the world around me, and it's handy for taking the occasional incoming phone call.  I also recommend Sena - well-built, good fit and ventilation, very good safety rating and nice features.  Get the sun visor that's optional on some models.

Quote from: JillGat on December 30, 2021, 03:02:27 PM
At some point, someone is going to develop a solar charger for ebikes that is smaller, lighter weight and works better.  That is going to be huge, because then you could actually do some distance touring without depending on charging stops!

Don't hold your breath.  Might be worth spending a few minutes with an electrical engineer, or at least somebody who understands the basics of electric-vehicle power requirements, and the power-generation capabilities of solar panels, to understand that your scenario is quite far in the future, if at all.  I wouldn't be surprised in the least if micro-sized backpack nuclear-power generators arrive before that.

If you install it such that it's reversible, you might continue to get warranty service by setting it back to stock first, but I'm 99.9% sure they won't touch it for your tuneup with that 35A controller/display in place.  (Lawyers make all the business decisions now, you know.)  They might even "put a note into your file" for future contact reference.

I'm debating whether or not to install my 35A Bolton upgrade kit before my MiniST warranty expires in March.  A freezing-cold garage will make that decision for me for another few weeks.

Depends on where you live.  In my state, I inquired with my agent about to cost of adding my MiniST to my policy and she said no need - it's automatically covered under my personal-property coverage.

Quote from: peanutbutterpope on December 21, 2021, 06:07:22 AMI most definitely did something nice for myself this holiday..been acquiring parts for my new PC build which I am just about ready to mod/assemble and I have been spending some time with my mates playing some games etc.

That's cool.  I'm sorta geeky that way too, as an old engineer with engineer OCD.  Used to build CP/M boxes in the '80s and a few early PC clones in the late-80s and '90s but then got hand-me-down Dells every couple of years from my Dad for about 20 years since he liked to buy near the top of the line every couple of years.  Sweet deal for me!

Two years ago, I built my first PC in about 25 years and had to learn all the specs and jargon all over again.  i7-8700K-based with 64Gb DDR4 3600, built to drive a big 4k display for stock trading, not gaming.  Since then the OCD said I had to poke and prod and hot-rod stuff, so I upgraded the power supply, case fans, CPU cooler (Noctua D15 rocks!), CPU to i9-9900K so I could keep the mobo and after waiting 13 months, trying and getting mad I finally found a brand-new 3080 for "only" a little over $1,400 in October.  Just in time; they're about $700 more now.  Just got tired of waiting; getting older and had VR and pretty-decent flight-sim gear gathering dust since they caused my original 1660 (great for 2-D charts, not so much for 3-D games) to barf.  The 3080 was definitely a "hold my beer and watch this" upgrade. 

Now I'm OCD'ing the Rad MiniST2 with accessories, tweaks and a new 35A Bolton upgrade waiting for the garage to stop freezing so much.  Your charger mod should really pay off with extended battery life.

Anyway, have fun with your new rig, too!  Winter's the time for indoor recreation.

Quote from: JoeSoMD on December 19, 2021, 07:35:02 AM
This answer not applicable to the RadCity 5+.  There is no owner-accessible fuse afaik.  I have same problem.  Battery will not charge.  Have two 5+ at home, each with own charger.  Neither charger will "charge" the problematic battery.

It's a monumentally-dumb design to bury a fuse, especially when Rad had it right the previous generation, but DickB has posted a thread about how to access/change the fuse if you're up to it.  If Rad sends a replacement battery and you get to keep the original "bad" one, I'd have a go at it.

https://www.radowners.com/index.php?topic=1655.msg8334

Quote from: peanutbutterpope on December 19, 2021, 07:22:09 AM
I will be working on the enclosure 3d model design later today and will post some screenshots from that here later as well.

Thanks for the update, PB, but I hope you'll take time to enjoy the Christmas/New Year's holidays and relax a bit.  I think I speak for most in saying your efforts, as always,  are appreciated and it's not a rush for me.  If you change your mind about accepting prepayments to help carry the costs, please be sure to let me know.

Cheers,
Jim

Quote from: Ryan on December 18, 2021, 08:49:04 AM
Here is my analysis: https://ebikeescape.com/rad-power-bikes-radrunner-2-review/

I also compare the RadRunner 1 and RadRunner 2 as well as the RadRunner 2 and RadRunner Plus. The image comparison in the post is helpful to spot the differences.

Thanks, Ryan; that was useful.  I wouldn't have been nearly as diplomatic as you, though.  $300 more and still no fenders, no more than one gear, no suspension or a real display?  Why not just get all of that, and a lower price, with a Mini?

Quote from: Eric7 on December 16, 2021, 03:38:36 PM
I am glad they seem to have kept the current not in frame battery in this latest model.  This means they would probably stock the current not in frame battery, hardware, connectors, for a few more years in stock.

I agree, and was thinking the same thing for future spares for my MiniST2.  But maybe it's an interim "new" model to use up inventory or contracted parts; the biggest "improvement" seems to be the price increase, and I still can't see any reason to buy one of those over a Mini unless you really want that clunky bucket thing between your legs, at extra cost of course.