Leaf Bike Help

[Workhorse]

Hello everyone.

Here is my Worksman Mover turned into a Workhorse Mover.

Now here is my problem. The controller has the sticker that says 40 amps. The hub is rated from Leaf Bike at 2500 watts. I set controller at 40 amps. All the controller wants is to pull 30 amps. For the battery I have a 52 volt lithium golf cart battery in the steel box. The battery is 100Ah and is capable of putting out 200 amps continuous. Is the controller just misrepresented?

The other thing is I would like to install disk brakes. However, Leaf Bike told me this hub is not disk brake capable. It appears to me to have disk mount screws. Look at picture, are they wrong? I don't want to order parts just to not have them not fit.

Thank everyone so much for the help. I hope you like my Workhorse Mover!

 

[Apartunis]

What winding did you get for your trike motor? I know Leaf will do special windings by request, but it would have to be very unusual to consume 2kW without propelling your trike much faster than it can safely go. If the motor is slow enough rpm at 52V for an upright trike, it will only take 40A for a moment before back emf increases and current decreases.

I don't see a disc caliper mount on your fork. How do you propose to install a disc brake on it? Add-on caliper brackets are notoriously weak even for regular weight pedal bikes. You would have to weld one on.

 

[gromike]

How much power do you think your motor-wheel would be able to put on the road?

 

[Workhorse]

The 2KW would only be used for torque going uphill. I keep her at 15mph or lower when hauling weight, to stay safe. I know a sudden turn can tip a tricycle and the bike is heavy so stopping better at slow speeds. Just the Battery weighs 90 pounds, me 150, bike heavy steel, and cargo. The industrial Tricycle is rated for over 500 pounds.

I would have disk bracket welded. The fork is heavy duty steel, so I don't see a problem with it handling. But I'm right? Those are disk brake screws? Sorry if I'm stupid, but if it wasn't disk brake capable it would be just smooth? I'm wondering why they told me it is not disk brake capable, only rim.

 

[Workhorse]

How much power do you think your motor-wheel would be able to put on the road?

52x40=2080

 

[gromike]

I think you will run into physical constraints before you get to 2kw due to the weighting on your drive wheel.

 

[Workhorse]

Most I ever see the wattage get to is 1548. Going steep uphill, slow like 5 mph, with full throttle. Tells me I'm pulling 30 amps exactly. Sticker on controller says 40 amps. I could really use those extra amps going up steeper inclines, which I want to do.

 

[E-HP]

Most I ever see the wattage get to is 1548. Going steep uphill, slow like 5 mph, with full throttle. Tells me I'm pulling 30 amps exactly. Sticker on controller says 40 amps. I could really use those extra amps going up steeper inclines, which I want to do.

You can apply the rear brakes while climbing the hill to see if it exceeds 30A.

 

[Workhorse]

You can apply the rear brakes while climbing the hill to see if it exceeds 30A.

Nope.

Has anyone had this problem with Leaf Bike Controller?
Everything else seems fine. Pushing 1548 watts uphill on long incline, motor and controller doesn't get hot. Hub has plenty of power except up steep incline.

Thanks

 

[E-HP]

Nope.

Has anyone had this problem with Leaf Bike Controller?
Everything else seems fine. Pushing 1548 watts uphill on long incline, motor and controller doesn't get hot. Hub has plenty of power except up steep incline.

Thanks

There’s no such thing as a Leaf Bike Controller. They’ve sourced a few different controller brands in their kits over the years, and their kits are generally not highly recommended. I notice a year our so ago they started using KT controllers, but have know idea what they use now. Just ask Leaf for a replacement, or provide more details on what you have. When I was using a KT controller, the display would max out at 2kw, even when pulling more, so they have some limitations that I haven’t seen in documentation.

Good luck.

 

[99t4]

It appears to me to have disk mount screws. Look at picture, are they wrong?

From your photo it sure looks to me like a common brake rotor flange and the usual 6 screws. Have you asked Leaf Bike for clarification?

 

[Workhorse]

There’s no such thing as a Leaf Bike Controller. They’ve sourced a few different controller brands in their kits over the years, and their kits are generally not highly recommended. I notice a year our so ago they started using KT controllers, but have know idea what they use now. Just ask Leaf for a replacement, or provide more details on what you have. When I was using a KT controller, the display would max out at 2kw, even when pulling more, so they have some limitations that I haven’t seen in documentatio

From your photo it sure looks to me like a common brake rotor flange and the usual 6 screws. Have you asked Leaf Bike for clarification?

They said 100mm no disk 110mm yes disk. So I'm thinking about doing the bolt spreader tec I found in past posts.
The response to the controller was. Don't doubt controller. Each one is tested to 40 amps before packaging.
So I don't know. Perhaps the display is just not giving me what the controller is putting out. I figure I'm just going to live with it, have fun and save money. I went with Leaf Bike because it was like $500 total, air shipped in a week from China. That's a lot of cash to me. I would have went with Grin, but I can't spend 1k+ when I'm poor. The kit is running smooth, quiet, and it has lots of torque.

Thanks everyone, good riding!

 

[99t4]

They said 100mm no disk 110mm yes disk. So I'm thinking about doing the bolt spreader tec I found in past posts.

That's probably to avoid the rotor scraping on the fork? You may also have to use a large 203mm rotor to avoid the caliper body from scraping on the motor shell itself. That is easy enough to check by installing the rotor on the motor, and placing the caliper on the rotor, see if it clears the motor side cover.

I figure I'm just going to live with it, have fun and save money... The kit is running smooth, quiet, and it has lots of torque.

Good outlook, and Great report!