The Cycle Analyst

One of Mechanarchy's main Guiding Principles, is to understand Energy use on a Day to Day basis, and how that Energy use impacts on the Environment.

If we cannot effectively measure our Energy use, then we can very easily be led down a path of inefficient Energy use. And one of the biggest culprits in helping to ensure that people have remained largely ignorant over their Day to Day Energy consumption, has been the Car Fuel Guage.

It is a 'simplistic' device that teaches the driver little more than 'Fear and Greed'.

So, when an opportunity comes along for me to learn more about my own Day to Day Energy use, I grab it, and, if it is worthwhile, I tell other people about it.

The Cycle Analyst from Grin Technologies formerly e-bikes) is one such product. But there is much more to their story than just the 'Cycle Analyst', which, after an introduction into what the product does, I'll delve a little deeper into.

You can see in the picture to your right, the original analogue dashboard mounted on the Gen1 (made in Germany) Yuba Mundo.

These provided a little more information than the regular Car Fuel Guage, in other words, not only what was left in the battery (fuel) pack (Volts) but also, how much (fuel) I was using (Amps).

In contrast, the Cycle Analyst provides me with a considerable amount of detailed information that helps me to factually understand the Energy Consumption of the Watt-Bot, and through that, just how it is that I can use my Energy more effectively and efficiently.

The guys at Grin produce an excellent booklet that explains the features and functions of the Cycle Analyst in detail, so there is little need for me to waste Energy here in reproducing it. Just click on the Icon to your right and download a copy for yourself. And no, you won't be asked to fill out any invasive 'Marketing Research' in order to get it.

The Cycle Analyst easily wired into the existing (Mechanarchy installed) Motor Speed Controller / Battery Circuit which are mounted on the Yuba, under the front of the rear rack (instructions on how to install are included in the Cycle Analyst Booklet). And, whilst I was in the wiring mood, it was pretty easy for me to hook in one of the 12 Volt / 12 LED Bicycle Lights into the system, a product also made by Grin. It's waterproof, has an on / off switch and gives incredible Energy Efficient illumination.
Grin Technologies is operated by a bunch of amazing people who are passionate about the Environment and what they do. I first came across them after making a purpose built Watt-Bot for Kristin Rule, aka The Unconventional Cellist. Kristin was looking for a Bicycle Assist unit that could not only help power her and her considerable load (including cello) up hills, but also double as a means of powering her Electronic Effects / Loop Station / Microphones and Small PA System in remote locations. You can see more on Kris's exploits on her web-site.

Cycle Analyst - Version 2.2 - Users Manual
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12 Volt / 12 LED Bicycle Light

After building the Watt-Bot for her, she found that she was looking for a number of extra features, including the ability to monitor her Energy use whilst riding and, assess the Energy her Batteries had remaining at the end of a day's cycling, so that she could still power her gear from them.

Through Kris's own research, she discovered the 'Cycle Analyst' and sent an entry off to Grin for their June 2010 'Cycle Analyst Giveaway Competition'. Her story was so unique that the guys at Grin awarded her the prize, a Cycle Analyst for her rig. After discussing the win with Kris, I decided to get an extra unit plus a number of other of their products shipped at the same time as hers.

After discovering just how good these products are, I considered deeply the potential of becoming a Grin Technologies distributor in Australia and even went as far as discussing it with them and filling out a Distributorship Application form. But alas, as with just about everything I do at Mechanarchy, the Environmental issues connected with shipping equipment from overseas, when there were already distributors in Australia getting gear from Grin, niggled away at my conscience. Unless I can come up with a solution to that particular conundrum, you'll need to buy your Cycle Analyst and other gear from either Grin direct or one of their Distributors in Australia. See their web site for more details. You simply won't be disappointed.