Being 71 years old and having leg and balance issues, my doctor strongly suggested I should get off the road bike. Wanting to stay active, I decided a recumbent tadpole trike would be just the thing. A few weeks on it showed me the leg geometry is a lot different than a bike, so I thought the logical solution was to add a rear hub motor with throttle. So far, so good.
Having several pieces of EGO equipment, I thought this might be a good way to economize. I communicated with Golden Motor, told them my plan, and they recommended the Magic Pie 5 with internal controller - and guaranteed me it would work fine with EGO/14s batteries.
Based on that information, I proceeded to bring the trike up to my desired specs. It's a Terratrike Rover with SA internal 8sp, 20" wheels all around but will accept a 26" rear with no frame mods, and I found this is often done.
Since the Magic Pie 5 rear comes only in a freewheel version, I ordered a new 6sp freewheel, derailleur, shifter, and chain. I also obtained all the electrical bits I deemed necessary (disconnect switch, circuit breaker, ammeter) and misc hardware and wiring to suit. Not planning any high speeds, I also ordered new TT 32H front hubs from Utah Trike and Sunringle 24" rims, along with spokes, nipples, liners, tires and tubes. This makes for a slightly more tippy but much more comfortable machine.
I equipped the Magic Pie 5 with a Continental Contact Urban in 26", installed it, and spent the next week sorting out the derailleur/shifter system and getting the feel of the bike before adding the battery/throttle/controls and wiring. No brake switches yet since I need parking locks, but Golden assures me they are not necessary to run the motor. With everything sorted, I put her on the rollers, pop in a battery, and... Nothing. Magic Pie 5 does absolutely nothing. Three lights on the throttle, but no movement at the wheel.
I contact Golden, Zar runs me through the troubleshooting steps (disconnect all but throttle, etc) but still nothing. Having hooked up the USB connector and finding 48v as the top available setting, I ask again about EGO/14s. Zar assures me 57.7v is no problem, should work fine. I also try a partially discharged battery at 47.5v, still nothing.
With no success, his next step is "Remove the rear wheel, remove the cover and controller, hook up the battery, and watch for a red LED to come on, or not, or flash. Oh, and it also might be potted in gray epoxy and hard to see, so look close".
In retrospect this was a ridiculous request. I mean, if I buy a new TV and it doesn't turn on, is it reasonable for the factory to request I troubleshoot it at circuit board level? Regardless, I remove the rear wheel, remove the cover (which is securely glued on), and attempt to remove the controller. I say "attempt" because the mounting surface was apparently slathered with Loctite before assembly, and it does NOT want to come off.
I give Zar this information, here is his advice: "You just need a bit of force to separate it from the actual frame, you can use any tool to press it force out a bit." I take his seemingly unwise advice and enlist the same combination that was necessary to remove the outer cover, a sharp putty knife and judicious use of a small hammer. This results in a small piece of the case breaking off, so I quit.
Side note: I am 71 years old, a lifetime mechanic/technician/machinist, and I am no stranger to tools, motors, engines, or electronics. I'm not some hack with a hammer (though Zar doesn't seem to care), and I know what I'm doing. I've literally never paid anyone to repair anything.
I send Zar news and pictures of my unsuccessful attempts at doing their troubleshooting, and suggest they send a replacement asap. He offers that they must do a warranty determination before that can happen. I escalate the issue to Daryl, who identifies himself as the owner of Golden Motor. He too refuses to ship anything without a warranty examination, heated words ensue, and he finally agrees to ship a replacement as soon as I send him tracking info on the defective one.
Fast forward one hour, I receive a call from Daryl. He states that the motor will NOT work on my battery of choice, and their guarantee that it would was in error. He's "sorry" I spent so much time and money on a project that I never would have started without his guarantee, but that's it.
So here I am, five weeks into a project with no hope of completion, and a MAJOR investment in dollars and time in a trike I cannot use. Without Golden's guarantee that this motor would work with my batteries, I never would have started this project.
Yes, I could spend another $1500+ on a Grin motor, but that would also mean scrapping the drivetrain since they only offer cassette rears.
The moral to this story should be obvious, so I won't state it here - but beware.
Kind Regards,
Garry
Having several pieces of EGO equipment, I thought this might be a good way to economize. I communicated with Golden Motor, told them my plan, and they recommended the Magic Pie 5 with internal controller - and guaranteed me it would work fine with EGO/14s batteries.
Based on that information, I proceeded to bring the trike up to my desired specs. It's a Terratrike Rover with SA internal 8sp, 20" wheels all around but will accept a 26" rear with no frame mods, and I found this is often done.
Since the Magic Pie 5 rear comes only in a freewheel version, I ordered a new 6sp freewheel, derailleur, shifter, and chain. I also obtained all the electrical bits I deemed necessary (disconnect switch, circuit breaker, ammeter) and misc hardware and wiring to suit. Not planning any high speeds, I also ordered new TT 32H front hubs from Utah Trike and Sunringle 24" rims, along with spokes, nipples, liners, tires and tubes. This makes for a slightly more tippy but much more comfortable machine.
I equipped the Magic Pie 5 with a Continental Contact Urban in 26", installed it, and spent the next week sorting out the derailleur/shifter system and getting the feel of the bike before adding the battery/throttle/controls and wiring. No brake switches yet since I need parking locks, but Golden assures me they are not necessary to run the motor. With everything sorted, I put her on the rollers, pop in a battery, and... Nothing. Magic Pie 5 does absolutely nothing. Three lights on the throttle, but no movement at the wheel.
I contact Golden, Zar runs me through the troubleshooting steps (disconnect all but throttle, etc) but still nothing. Having hooked up the USB connector and finding 48v as the top available setting, I ask again about EGO/14s. Zar assures me 57.7v is no problem, should work fine. I also try a partially discharged battery at 47.5v, still nothing.
With no success, his next step is "Remove the rear wheel, remove the cover and controller, hook up the battery, and watch for a red LED to come on, or not, or flash. Oh, and it also might be potted in gray epoxy and hard to see, so look close".
In retrospect this was a ridiculous request. I mean, if I buy a new TV and it doesn't turn on, is it reasonable for the factory to request I troubleshoot it at circuit board level? Regardless, I remove the rear wheel, remove the cover (which is securely glued on), and attempt to remove the controller. I say "attempt" because the mounting surface was apparently slathered with Loctite before assembly, and it does NOT want to come off.
I give Zar this information, here is his advice: "You just need a bit of force to separate it from the actual frame, you can use any tool to press it force out a bit." I take his seemingly unwise advice and enlist the same combination that was necessary to remove the outer cover, a sharp putty knife and judicious use of a small hammer. This results in a small piece of the case breaking off, so I quit.
Side note: I am 71 years old, a lifetime mechanic/technician/machinist, and I am no stranger to tools, motors, engines, or electronics. I'm not some hack with a hammer (though Zar doesn't seem to care), and I know what I'm doing. I've literally never paid anyone to repair anything.
I send Zar news and pictures of my unsuccessful attempts at doing their troubleshooting, and suggest they send a replacement asap. He offers that they must do a warranty determination before that can happen. I escalate the issue to Daryl, who identifies himself as the owner of Golden Motor. He too refuses to ship anything without a warranty examination, heated words ensue, and he finally agrees to ship a replacement as soon as I send him tracking info on the defective one.
Fast forward one hour, I receive a call from Daryl. He states that the motor will NOT work on my battery of choice, and their guarantee that it would was in error. He's "sorry" I spent so much time and money on a project that I never would have started without his guarantee, but that's it.
So here I am, five weeks into a project with no hope of completion, and a MAJOR investment in dollars and time in a trike I cannot use. Without Golden's guarantee that this motor would work with my batteries, I never would have started this project.
Yes, I could spend another $1500+ on a Grin motor, but that would also mean scrapping the drivetrain since they only offer cassette rears.
The moral to this story should be obvious, so I won't state it here - but beware.
Kind Regards,
Garry
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some people have put 8000w into that motor and lived to tell the tale.
