The Tongxin Motor thread

[Johnbear]

Well I bought a tongxin from ebikes.ca, they are clearing them out. After lacing up my new double walled rim and bench testing the tongxin - it worked ok,I was ready to install the motor on the bike today. I had the tire on, all of the cable ties on, the andersons hooked up and I tested it again while holding the bike in the air. It worked. So I finished up everything and tried it one last time. It acted like the throttle was stuck on. So I checked the throttle, it seemed ok. I unhooked the throttle. The same thing happened, It was running full blast. I then hooked the throttle back up plugged the motor in and tried again. Poof, out came the black smoke from the controller. Man what a bummer. I have sent the guys at ebikes.ca an e-mail to see what they have to say. What a bummer! I am really getting into the lightweight bike idea.

But from what I just read here, the controllers are scary

[Johnbear]

I guess that is why one needs 3 backup e-bikes

[Mathurin]

Well Velectris now have sensorless controllers, but the motor brake on them is not regen yet tho.

[Malcolm]

Sorry to hear about the controller John. I was seriously thinking of buying one of Justin's last few Tongxins myself to put on my wife's bike, but you've made my mind up for me. I've heard too many tales of problems with the controllers recently. Perhaps a different controller would be more reliable. The motors themselves seem to be very good as long as you don't demand too much torque from them, in which case I've heard the planetary rollers can slip a little.

[Johnbear]

Well, If I get this resolved, I will post further details, it seems like such a great little motor in theory! Lightweight, geared, sensor less, all good things. - but reliability is a big issue for me. I have two controllers for all of the other e-bikes I own. I double fuse some of them, one fuse on the battery and one on the controller. Just to be extra careful. It would suck to be 40 miles away from home and have to pedal an overweight bike home.

[fechter]

Depending on how much voltage you want to run, you might be able to use a RC sensorless controller with a servo tester for the throttle.

[Johnbear]

36v is what I am running, any controller suggestions? I would like a reliable controller for sure!

[fechter]

One of these:
http://www.castlecreations.com/products/phoenix_hv_series.html

You would also need a servo tester to interface the throttle to the controller.
I don't know if these controllers will actually work with your motor, but there are thousands of them used by RC flyers.

[Drunkskunk]

One of these:
http://www.castlecreations.com/products/phoenix_hv_series.html

You would also need a servo tester to interface the throttle to the controller.
I don't know if these controllers will actually work with your motor, but there are thousands of them used by RC flyers.

The only trick is keep them cool.

[Johnbear]

I have e-mailed tongxin to see what they would say out of curiosity. I don't expect a response, but we'll see!

[Miles]

36v is what I am running, any controller suggestions? I would like a reliable controller for sure!

Maybe this: http://www.unitedhobbies.com/UNITEDHOBB ... oduct=4691

Servo tester: http://www.brchobbies.co.uk/?page=shop&item=425 or http://www.micronradiocontrol.co.uk/easybuild.html

You'll also need a high voltage BEC to power the servo tester: http://www.dimensionengineering.com/VHVBEC.htm

[Johnbear]

I wonder if a pedal first controller would work on this motor?

[Johnbear]

Does anyone here have a tongxin that they have been running for a while with good luck?

[Johnbear]

Zev at ebikes.ca is awesome! Tomorrow I will be getting a new controller from renaissance bicycle company, cross your fingers on try #2. I'll let you know how it turns out.

[Timbo]

I have this motor & I like it a great deal. It's discreet, quiet, light and efficient. 4o+km range on a 36V Lithium manganese pack. Since October last year I've put 900km 'on the clock' - without any problems from the motor, all on a bike that's been sitting prety much idle in my garage for 12 years. For me it's been a revelation. Motor gives variable assist depending on speed - most assist is at about 25km/hr and cuts out just before 40km/hr.

Here's an earlier thread during my setup with comments from Electric Vehicles, the local supplier:

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2641&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&sid=37e56435cf8342c0fdd24c9ac63e1112

and another detailing a problem I encountered:

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2603&p=36635&sid=37e56435cf8342c0fdd24c9ac63e1112&sid=37e56435cf8342c0fdd24c9ac63e1112#p35916

and a link to EV Australia, where I bought the kit:

http://www.currietech.com.au/

My experience with this motor has been good and I would recommend it.

[eP]

and a link to EV Australia, where I bought the kit:

http://www.currietech.com.au/

My experience with this motor has been good and I would recommend it.

They have crazy prices:

Code: Select all

Brushless Geared EVO Motor 200 Watt Motor Only
$650 motor only

Do you know more sites with such crazy prices ?

[Miles]

I think you can by the kit direct from Tongxin for about $150

[eP]

I think you can by the kit direct from Tongxin for about $150

I would like be able to buy gearbox only for $50-100.
Why i have to buy all kit ?

It would be better if we could buy all important parts individually - i'm sure.

Robust gearbox is one of most important parts if you want assembly upgradeable e-bike. At right chosen reduction ratio you don't need huge battery pack at the start end still have pleanty of room for future upgrade.

Geared motor (in one) don't allow us for substantial upgrade.

[Miles]

I'm sure you could get the motors for less than $100 for quantity.

I don't think they have gears, exactly, they're epicyclic friction drives and I'm not sure how much more torque they could handle....

[eP]

I'm sure you could get the motors for less than $100 for quantity.

I don't think they have gears, exactly, they're epicyclic friction drives and I'm not sure how much more torque they could handle....

Tell me who need such motors in quantity - if they aren't upgreadable?

Upradable motor should work fine at low voltages - for work at relatively low load.
After ugrade at higer voltage should work robust at heavy loads too.
This is what i call flexibility.
Flexible motor would work fine at extremly different conditions, so it should be more wanted and as a result should be easy to buy and resell.
Buying them for quantity would be related with low risk as soon or later all surplus would be reselled without loss.

My point is: lets start to looking for the best candidate for flexible motor - instead looking for specialized one for narrow loads range.

[Miles]

Piotrek,

Commercial stuff is built to a price..... upgrading isn't even on their horizon

[eP]

Piotrek,

Commercial stuff is built to a price..... upgrading isn't even on their horizon

Didn't i said you Miles i'm not looking for commercial project ?

My project is dedicated to poor children/ average guys which are reluctant to throw theirs last money on fancy commercial stuff.

But if my project atract enough people so gain will be for both: average guys and e-bike enthusiasts - this is the most important goal of my idea - Miles.

Now is see enthusiasts begin to organize themself for buying cheap batteries:
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=3276
so i think we are at the good way

If you like build bikes and adress practical problems, so try to adress how to assemble at home nice e-bike at moderate cost - isn't it a fine task idea ?
Enthusiasts this way also could gain. If they save theirs money on mosts important parts, so they will be able to spend more on rest of fancy stuff.

[Miles]

Piotrek,

My point was relating to buying chinese hub motors for the gears and expecting them to handle greater loads. It's more than likely that I missed your point...

I do realise that your project is not commercial.

Anyway, I'm doing my bit testing different transmission systems. I can just about handle the basics of electric motor theory but electronics is a closed book to me....

If you think there's a market for specialised transmission parts, I'll give it some thought.

[eP]

If you think there's a market for specialised transmission parts, I'll give it some thought.

If think there's a market for cheap and robust transmission parts which would be called mainstreem anyway specialised.
It is a consequence of becoming to the market ultra strong high temp. rated magnets at affordable prices for RC market.
So in my opinion it is right time for wide discussion about that option and deep analyse of all befefits related to costs and performance.


For example such mainstreem transmission would fine work at strong gass bike conversions as well as at low power assistance e-bikes (creating for that last one great room for simple and relatively cheap upgrade).

I think we need unbiased fair deep analyse of all important aspects.
Threads like: "my xxx motor is fine for me and i,m very happy" are usefull for average lazy members which looking for shortest path to be happy too.

My idea is: lets create threads which could give befefits for all community and beyond.

I know it is little OT but in my opinion it is very important (we have lack of deep disscussions) and also related to cheap motors.

[Miles]

If think there's a market for cheap and robust transmission parts which would be called mainstreem anyway specialised.
It is a consequence of becoming to the market ultra strong high temp. rated magnets at affordable prices for RC market.
So in my opinion it is right time for wide discussion about that option and deep analyse of all befefits related to costs and performance.

Agreed.

Looks like the Scorpion 55mm and 65mm series motors will be available later this year...

And in kit form....

I've already worked out my transmission