"Extended Range Mode" via C/A?

[joelgerlach]

Hey guys,

I've got a rebuilt Ezee Cadence that's running off of a 58V lifepo4 (48V operating range) and a 500W Ezee front mounted motor (its a 250W at 36V which was its original operating range before updating it) and a Lyen controller (A 6FET I think, whatever the lowest is).

While my normal commute to work is about 8 miles, I find that I've used about half of the battery when I get to work. I just charge it there and then ride home. But I'm going to be changing jobs and will need to do longer range bike trips. (14 miles over the mountain range in Los Angeles from Westwood to the valley). Right now, the bike peaks at around 25MPH and at cruise runs around 12-14ish Amps.

The question is: is there a good setting I can put the C/A to that would extend my operating range by reducing speed? I have a 22A limiter on it now. But I wouldn't mind going slower if that meant I can get a longer range. Have any of you limited your bikes so that you could go for an extended commute? And if so, is there a way I could use the C/A to adjust for my range instead of needing to reprogam the controller? So for shorter trips I could have speed and power, but longer trips I could have longevity.

Thanks guys!
~Joel

[Philistine]

If you have a CA DP (as in the direct plug in version, versus the standalone version), you can reduce your amps on the fly with the "Maxamps" setting. If you reduce your amps you will get more range, but to be honest if you are already at 22amps limit, if you go much lower as an amps limit, you will barely get any assistance. I have also found once you go below about 20amps, the bike can start to feel like it surges a bit, because the amp limit is constantly kicking in under acceleration if that makes sense.

Your other option is getting a three speed switch if your controller has the ability. That way you can program in a variety of throttle % options.

[joelgerlach]

I do have the DP version, equipped with the Lyen they work pretty well together. What's this 3 speed switch you're talking about? It just limits the range of the throttle then?

Thanks!

[Philistine]

A three speed swith basically enables you to have three choices at the flick of a switch as to what throttle setting you have. You know in your parameter settings/program you can set your throttle speed between 0-120%? The switch lets you flick between three choices. If you ask Lyen he can sort you with the switch, because I don't use one I am not sure about this, but I think you have to solder the switch onto the board of your controller (but I am not sure on that, I just don't know), but my understanding is it is very easy to do. Send Lyen a PM and ask him.

Cheers

[amberwolf]

You can also makea 3-speed switch that just directly controls the throttle. See the htread by Methods in the for sale section.

[Kingfish]

3-Speed only caps the top-end, not the bottom. I can climb like a banshee until I reach the speed threshold preset in SP-1, -2 and -3.

Conversely, back in early 2010 I tried to have the CA-DP throttle current and I experienced that previously mentioned surging issue - which for me was not optimum. It could have been operator error, although I was too noob to know for sure. The concept is worthy of reinvestigation.

Setting the Phase Current lower helps prevent excessive use of power at the bottom end and directly translates to extended range.

2WD allows me to trim the Batt/Phase way down because I have two wheels sharing the load; better economy on steep hill climbing – however not as efficient overall compared to a single-wheel system where the rider can optimize their contribution by shifting to lower gears, and hyper-miling on the flats.

~KF

[dogman]

Well, it's a bit of a pain, but you can just look at the speedo on the CA and limit speed. Pretty much your only option for extending range is slowing down and or pedaling harder.

I find the best way to do it is to select a gear that is right for the speed you want. Apply throttle till you feel like pedaling is doing nothing for you, then back off the throttle to the level of pedaling effort you desire. When you creep up in speed too much, you'll feel it, and can back off. The advantage of this is that you still have all your power and speed for a section where you need it.

Three speed switches work great though, if you find paying attention to what is going on so much too bothersome. And a flick of the switch restores full power when you need it.

But really what you need is more battery. Maybe have cellman make you a 5 ah booster?