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Controller works once after self-learning; doesn't work after off/on

harrisonpatm

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Hey, I'm bench testing a cheapo Chinese controller for a potential scrap build. Using a hoverboard hub motor, 48v variable bench supply that lets me see current draw.

IMG_20251004_175422.jpg

It's one of those learning wire type controllers. I've used the same/similar model on a separate build, no issues. For the bench test, I've connected the battery + and -, phase cables, hall sensors, and a throttle, plus connecting the red wire to battery positive to turn the controller on.

First turn on, no response from the throttle. No problem. Turn off, connect self-learning wires. Turn on, motor spins slowly (for my bench test, forward direction doesn't matter, but just to check, disconnecting and reconnecting the learning wires does indeed reverse direction). While controller is still on, I disconnect learning wires. Motor stops. Now, throttle works without issue. Motor spins up nice and fast, good throttle response. The three-speed switch works as advertised.

I turn off the controller by disconnecting the red "door lock" wire from battery positive. Controller turns off. I reconnect the red wire to battery positive, controller turns on. Now, the throttle doesn't do anything. I switch throttles, still nothing. Turn off and on, still nothing.

I turn controller off, reconnect learning wires, turn back on. Motor spins slowly. I disconnect learning wires, and use the throttle, and the motor works normally again, spins fast with throttle response. I turn off controller again, and turn back on, and motor again doesn't respond to throttle.

So the behavior is that the controller works once, then doesn't work after being turned off and on, unless the learning function is repeated.

Any hints for troubleshooting? Perhaps I just got a dud controller. No big deal if that's the case, it was just a $40 controller, but perhaps someone here has seen this behavior before.

Thanks!
 
Not sure if it makes a difference, but have you tried disconnecting the learning wire after shutting off the controller (after you get it to spin the correct direction)?
 
I have 2 orange ones that work fine, bought a black one like you have was a little cheaper did the same thing your is doing. Wasted an hour on it and used an old square wave controller instead . Hope you figure it out, l really like the 2 that work.
 
I have 2 orange ones that work fine, bought a black one like you have was a little cheaper did the same thing your is doing. Wasted an hour on it and used an old square wave controller instead . Hope you figure it out, l really like the 2 that work.
Thanks for sharing, I guess I'm same as you. I have the orange one, works great. I submitted return request for the black one.
 
Took a look at mine and there was 2 green wires labeled study wires I didn't hook those up might be worth a try. They probably lock it in square wave mode which maybe would make it useful I can't return it.
 
I don't think they show on the wiring diagram included with the controller.
Hey, thanks for the tip. I didn't have green, I had pink, with the same connector setup as your picture. I had left them unconnected, because on several other controllers I've tried, that was the speed restriction wire. But as you said, leaving them connected did the trick. I wonder what they are "supposed to be for?
 
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Unrelated issue with this controller, that @hillslayer@ and others reading might want to be aware of. I was testing the three-speed switch and its settings. When the high speed wire is grounded, and I gave it full throttle, the motor I was testing went into uncontrolled high speed spin, and it didn't stop spinning when I released the throttle! Only stopped when I cut power.

I reproduced this twice more. Happened when using the high-speed setting, and only when throttle went all the way to full speed. Didn't happen on the other two speed settings. Used two different throttles, same behavior.

Luckily this was a bench test with a regulated power supply, and the motor I was using for testing was locked in a vise. Not sure what might happen if this occurred on the scooter I plan on installing this on... Presumeably, not much, because current draw would be higher, and the 2-3 protections I have in place would kill power .
 
On my bikes this controller is setup with a Regen on the low brake, hopefully that would kill the motor if running away . Also the high speed on these is some kind of field weaking goes faster on flat but not much help up hill so I stay in the middle or low setting.
 
Unrelated issue with this controller, that @hillslayer@ and others reading might want to be aware of. I was testing the three-speed switch and its settings. When the high speed wire is grounded, and I gave it full throttle, the motor I was testing went into uncontrolled high speed spin, and it didn't stop spinning when I released the throttle! Only stopped when I cut power.

I reproduced this twice more. Happened when using the high-speed setting, and only when throttle went all the way to full speed. Didn't happen on the other two speed settings. Used two different throttles, same behavior.

Luckily this was a bench test with a regulated power supply, and the motor I was using for testing was locked in a vise. Not sure what might happen if this occurred on the scooter I plan on installing this on... Presumeably, not much, because current draw would be higher, and the 2-3 protections I have in place would kill power .
Question on setting up Regen I don't see a low brake cutoff wire like the orange ones, did you get Regen working on this controller ?
 
I ordered another one from Walmart this time, going to play with it on my test motor longer this time. Make sure everything works as it should then test under load.
 
I ordered another one from Walmart this time, going to play with it on my test motor longer this time. Make sure everything works as it should then test under load.
It's official don't buy the dirt cheap black controller. I bench tested this seemed fine mounted on bike went up one steep hill came down Regen worked , thought about taking a longer ride controller died right then. Buy the $ 50 .00 orange one on Amazon I have a thousand miles on one of those no problems.
 
That's typical of what controllers do, the way you are turning off your system is causing the controller to unlearn, this can also happen by accident with a loose wire that causes issues. I'm no pro, but it's happened to me a few times over the years
 
I have discovered a large number of problems with the really cheap variety of these controllers is the wiring harness connectors, it's super easy to have a pin push up the connector and barely be making contact. I think they probably get a bunch of returns for this.
 
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