My sincere apologies to all who wrote asking after the plans or wanting to buy the iQuad. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances we did not ever get them ready to publish. I'm not sure how we will proceed from here, but I don't want the project to die and would really like to see it go somewhere. Hopefully in the near future I'll be able to find the time to attack it again.

20 July 2008 - Sorry about the slow updates! Many thanks to those who took the time to fill in the survey, there were some good suggestions too. Thank you to all those who offered help with getting to production also, your kindness is much appreciated. We increased the battery pack to 30 Ah, and tested it with a GPS tracking phone - you can view the test here if you're interested: http://sportstracker.nokia.com/nts/workoutdetail/index.do?id=154668 Lots of fun, good range too. The test route was quite hilly, so the test should reflect good real-world performance. There's a lot more speed available but not with the short wheelbase, at least not for me, thanks. It needs a better seat now, gets a bit uncomfortable after an hour! We're still not sure about producing iQuads to sell in volume - it looks as though they would need to sell for $3000.00. So, contact me if you're interested - we would like to do a limited run to see how they go. If there's a few people interested we'll go for it! Production model will have a slightly longer wheelbase, and options for 2, 6 or 9 Hp, batteries in SLA (Sealed lead acid) or Lithium Polymer flavours. Frame will be anodised, and seat will be comfier :) 27 April 2007: Lots more has happened in the development of the quad. The first NiMH battery packs turned out to be incapable of maintaning sufficient current, and a few cells gave up in a fiery fit of rage when the second motor was added and a serious shakedown run was administered. New packs (now 4 in parallel) and lowering the current limits on the controller should prevent this happening again. We are also ready to test high current lithium polymer packs - at one quarter the weight and higher voltage and current capacity they should provide some startling performance, and should also give the ability to increase the range substantially with little weight penalty.




UPDATE - 11 July 2007: Video on posted on Youtube features version 1.3 - This was part of the run that cooked the batteries. Thanks to Ben for assuming the test pilot, cameraman, director, editor and battery cooker duties :) Since then we have discovered that the controller was set up with a bias to one side, causing one motor to work harder, and that the current limit was set to 60 amps (per channel), meaning that the batteries really wouldn't have stood a chance if the controller was programmed to allow the default 160 amps max. per channel, as I thought it was.

Another limiting factor at the moment is the throttle, which is now controlled by a 10k potentiometer. This is not ideal, since to get full speed the potentiometer has to turn through 135 degrees, while my thumb throttle mechanism will only allow ~80 degrees, and even then only if you have a long thumb. The very helpful controller supplier was kind enough to let me have a copy of Beta firmware which should have allowed me to calibrate the potentiometer to give full speed with less travel, but I was unable to get it to work (probably my fault), although it was after trying to install that firmware that we found the unusual settings mentioned above. Previously the throttle used a circuit that emulated RC control commands, which although it did offer full throttle travel, it had some issue which caused jerky slow speed running, and alarming moments of unexpected vigorous acceleration.

The Lithium Polymer battery packs are now ready to go. 22.2 volts and 20 AH, with a max current rating of 600(!) amps, 300 amps continuous. Test ride as soon as weather and time permits...

UPDATE - 16 July 2007: Finally had a chance to take it out for a decent run. Five people have now ridden the iQuad (no fatalities!). We adjusted the throttle so that a part throttle setting is off. Releasing the throttle completely gives reverse. While this takes some getting used to, the learning curve is very short... It still doesn't give full throttle, but I hope to get a chance to tackle that soon. Full throttle with the LiPo battery pack will be interesting, as it is now it does about 35 kmh - not that much, but considering it's shorter than it is wide, it does need some attention. It takes only a few metres to get to top speed. It'll climb grades steep enough to tip over backwards on a grippy surface, so I think wheelie wheels are going to be a necessity before the throttle upgrade. We did one unofficial test at about 33v by rewiring the batteries. That was alarming, the wheelbase is definitely too short for 50km/h plus.