BBS02 - Buying In or Importing To UK

[CmdrBond]

So I'm still waiting on some measurements to make sure it will fit, but assuming it does I am going to go for the 48v BBS02 - Haven't decided on the 500/750W yet though.

I have an Alfine 8 speed IGH and Hydraulic Brakes - so that will affect some of my choices.

I have been looking at the various e-tailers,

Unless anyone here can recommend otherwise I think I will be giving GreenBikeKit and BMSBatteries a wide berth - Price is good, shipping isn't too bad, but I am worried about warranty and returns.

UK wise I have found 3 stcokists so far - please tell me of any I have missed.

• First is PedalEase - https://www.pedalease.co.uk/index.php?rt=product/product&path=67_71&product_id=13172292&session_id=fd2dcf7f732f68a0bd06f820f6d2cc69#review
  
  The kit is £399.99 - only 750W BBS02 available.
  
  Contains LCD (unspecified but looks like a 961 from the picture), cable brake levers and speed sensor.
  
  I'm a bit concerned though, whenever I put anything in their basket and then go to the basket it always shows as empty. Also their shipping information section is just a template, they show a 48 hour shipping to mainland UK on their front page, but their shipping section just says:
  

  SHIPPING
  
  some description
  
  some text about shipping

  
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• Next up is Dillinger UK - http://dillengerelectricbikes.co.uk/electric-bike-kits/8fun-mid-drive-kit-bbs02-by-bafang.html, free delivery in the UK on orders over £400, but customer service is USA or Australia !!!
  
  They say the kit comes in both 500W and 750W, but the page only seems to list the 750W - for £399.00
  
  Very little info on kit contents, the picture looks like a rebranded 965 and the description mentions "a" throttle.
  
  It does however offer a Gear Sensor for £50.73.
  
  A pair of brake sensors are £11.99 and the speed sensor is £29.00 (if not included) - http://dillengerelectricbikes.co.uk/spares/bafang-8fun.html
  
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• Lastly in the UK (that I'e found with the 48v system anyway) is Eclipse Bikes - http://eclipsebikes.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=bafang&x=0&y=0
  
  The kit is £369.95 in either wattage, the 500W is just a de-rated 750W so has the 25A controller. Delivery is £11.95
  
  Kit contains brake levers, speed sensor, C965 and throttle.
  
  The hydraulic sensors are £16.95
  
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• The first of my international options is the well respected EM3ev - http://em3ev.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=36&product_id=166
  
  Like Eclipse, they offer both wattages by de-rating the 750W - cheapest delivery option is £48.56
  
  The kit is £310.54 and includes a choice of throttles, a choice of LCD's, a choice of a pair of brake lever or ONE hydraulic sensor, and a push button ebrake. It doesn't mention it, but I presume it also has a speed sensor. t also has guaranteed upgraded MOSFETs.
  
  And additional hydraulic sensor is £8.10 - http://em3ev.com/store/index.php?route=product/category&path=46
  
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• And my other option was Lectric Cycles and their e-Rad rebrand - http://www.lectriccycles.com/e-rad-mid-drive-standard-68-73mm-conversion-kit/
  
  The 500W is $895.00 US (~£579.42 GBP) and the 750W is $995.00 US (~£644.16 GBP), Cheapest shipping is $92.57 USD (~£59.93 GBP).
  
  The kit does include a choice of throttles, choice of brakes and comes with Gear Sensor at no extra cost (or no reduction if removed!) and a re-branded LCD.
  
  Like EM3ev the MOSFETS are upgraded, and their Gear Sensor cabling/programming I am led to believe is different to the standard add on which would replace a brake sensor.

I don't know if Eclipse use the upgraded MOSFET's, if they do they might be my best option as they are UK based, but they don't offer the gear sensor or a push button brake.

EM3ev's pricing works out very close to Eclipse's, but I don't know how much duty and tax I will get hit for. I am assuming that the push button ebrake would be in place of the Gear Sensor and act as a manual clutch. - Does this suffer the lag issues I have seen mentioned with the GS (have these been ironed out now anyway?)

Dillinger's pricing isn't highly competitive, but they do offer the gear sensor - but don't say how it connects. they do have a re-branded LCD so could theirs be similar to Lectric's?

Then there is Lectric Cycles, with their upgraded MOSFET's and custom gear sensor - but an extra £200...


HELP

 

[tommie]

Certainly you`ve given yourself a lot of options there! I`m in the UK and i bought the BBS02 750 complete kit from BTN in China plus a 13ah 48v Battery. Approx price inc. delivery via FedEx was £530.
This was at least £150+ cheaper than anywhere else in the UK for a similar set-up. FedEx charged me £27 for import charges.

You have to make the choice whether you think the extra is worth dealing in the UK.

Yes you can buy that Green button thing but a quick flick of the brake lever does the same job when changing gear. though if you have a IGH i`m not sure thats necessary.

 

[cwah]

Warranty is present in the uk....

If difference is less than £100 then buy in uk for peace of mind

 

[tommie]

Warranty is present in the uk....

only provided you don`t hammer the crank the wrong way ;o)

lol!

anyhow, the op hasn`t mentioned a Battery in his calculations. Probably factor in another £300+ or so? If i were doing the conversion again i`d spend the extra and go for at least a 15aH or 20aH option. Thats dependent on where you live, your weight, fitness etc..

 

[CmdrBond]

I didn't mention the battery for a couple of reasons.

I'm undecided on what size, and what format.

Due to the way my frame is, downtube batteries are out I think.

Also I left batteries out because I am happy to purchase them separately, especially if I order the kit from overseas as battery shipping options are limited and double the carriage cost.

Can anyone give me an idea of the range per AH for mostly flat commuting with slight inclines and the odd drawn out hill.

I commute approx 7 miles a day, so ideally I would like to be able to squeeze 35-50 miles out of 1 charge (if that's even possible) to avoid charging daily.

I may even look at building one with Samsung 18650's

 

[CmdrBond]

Well, I've just got of the phone with Dillenger US tech support.

The guy seemed a little confused, but I think I managed to get my point across. If I have asked the right question, and if he has answered me correctly (I am waiting on an email now) it looks like Dillenger may have gone the same route as Lectric. The guy was telling me that the gear sensor connects directly into the drive.

We shall wait for the email, but that could be good news!

 

[CmdrBond]

OK. Just got an email back from Dillenger.

So these gear sensors take up a brake sensor port (as I thought).

But they were kind enough to send me the GS instructions...

https://s3.amazonaws.com/elevio-article-assets/55ce631f2c80a/55f74381ba000_gearsensorcom-manual-v10.pdf

Taken from that....

General description

This unique patent pending system developed and made in Czech Republic is based on intelligent GearSensor fixed on the shifting cable, which cuts off the motor drive when the rider activates gear shifting. This brand new technical solution eliminates user-unfriendly and noisy rear derailleur shifting which is caused by chain over straining. GearSensor in combination with the front derailleur allows smooth shifting even if the e-bike is equipped by double/triple chain wheel mid-motor. In addition GearSensor in combination with the internal gear hubs allows perfect shifting performance.

Programmable processors enable individual time setting for shifting gears up and down and adjust micro movement sensitivity of the inner cable to avoid the motor cutting out caused by cable vibration during riding the e-bike.


GearSensor models

The GearSensor is divided into these different models:

1) Model GS-D is a universal model for both derailleurs (front and rear). On this model restarting of the motor depends on the FINISH of the shifting cable movement. This is because system has to wait until the movement of the chain is finished to choose a sprocket or a chainring. MODEL GS-D IS MARKED ON THE CABLE WITH A WHITE STICKER (samples marking).

2) Model GS-I is the model for INTERNAL GEAR HUBS. On this model restarting of the motor depends on the START of the shifting cable movement, plus defined time period. This is because system does not need to wait until the end of the movement of the chain to choose a sprocket or a chainring. MODEL GS-I IS MARKED ON THE CABLE WITH A RED STICKER (samples marking).

And

Bafang BBS01 and BBS02 systems:

Every Bafang BBS motor is equipped with two connectors for brake sensors (HIGO, yellow 3-pin). GearSensors which are compatible with BBS motors are also supplied with the same HIGO connectors. First option is to connect the GearSensor directly to one of these connectors for brakes. Please note that if you do connect GearSensor into this connector, then the restart of the motor could possibly be longer than it should be, because this connector was programmed for brake sensors. The other option is to order directly from Bafang BBS motors with a connector especially programmed for GearSensor, so the restart of the motor will be very fast. For further details please contact us by e-mail and we will help you with the specification of this order.

The end of that paragraph was very interesting.

 

[tommie]

why oh why are you getting hung up on this Gearsensor?! It`s not a deal breaker.

You haven`t got a rear derallieur.

 

[CmdrBond]

I'm not hung up on it, I'm just looking at all the options and trying to make sense of it.

Also, if my digging helps someone else, that's all good.

 

[Dillenger_Australia]

Every BBS02 unit manufactured in 2015 has 3077 fets. It's only a selling point now if some resellers have very old units.

Our gear sensors plug into the e-brake inputs. The separate plug under the motor is a hazard for customers not using gearsensor.

Our BBS02 price will be changing to 385GBP (including VAT and duty), which you would otherwise have to pay on import) soon as we bring in the BBS-HD:

http://dillengerelectricbikes.co.uk/electric-bike-kits/bbs-hd1000-bafang-mid-drive-pre-order-by-bafang.html

Hope that clears it up!

 

[DaDo.Bzz]

Guys, 500W motor is the same as 750W? Is it just powered by 36V and tjere is in firmware encoded 36V. Can I change firmware to 48?

Thanks