How interchangeable are controllers?

[Peter Brigg]

I have been stuck on the idea of getting a KU93 controller from BMS Battery however perhaps any controller for a brushless 350 W motor 36V would do.(Bafang)
The KU93 seems very complicated.Perhaps a simpler controller with less add on features would be better(more repairable)

Are the wiring colours for the Hall sensors standard? ie red +5v,Black GND, Yellow Hall phase A ,Green phase B ,Blue phase C?

Crystalite has been around for a long time-is that a good brand?
Thks
Peter

 

[Philistine]

All controllers are interchangeable, but be aware you need a sensoreless controller if you have a sensorless motor (ie, if the motor has no hall wires/sensors). Otherwise, all controllers are interchangeable. Having more features doesn't really effect the durability or repairability of a controller, the durability of a controller will have more to do with how many fets the controller has (this will determine how much power it can take), and the overrall quality of the controller. If you are genuinely running your motor at 350w, then any cheapo controller will probably do.

Crystallite are a good brand, but to be honest, a Crystallite controller would be overkill for a 350w application, at that power level I would go with any cheapo controller you could find. The benefits of a better controller come when you start moving into the higher power ranges. If you decide to go over say 1000W, I would go with a Lyen 12 Fet.

The wire colours are not standard across the industry, that is the annoying thing. You can get an "ebike tester" from Lyen (or from Ebay), for $29, and they are very handy at allowing you to cross match different controllers with different motors. But there are threads on what motors match what wires to which controllers.

 

[MadRhino]

A controller with more features is not more likely to fail, for most controller failures are the same anyway and are mostly caused by overheating or shorting phase.

Sensored controllers are interchangeable, for sensored motors of course, and sensorless controllers can make virtually any motor turn.

Chrystalyte have good controllers, those that I have are infineon with 18 4110 mosfets, and are upgraded to feed 150A. The best though, is to have a programmable controller, because it will let you upgrade or change your Ebike configuration. Lyen sells them for a good price and will set it for your need.

 

[d8veh]

The KU93 controller is pretty standard and not really complicated. It has all the standard features: Throttle, Pedal sensor and brake cut-offs. For all the other features and any of these, if you don't want to use them, just leave them disconnected. It can work with and without hall sensors automatically, which is very useful. If you want to use the sensors, connect them, otherwise don't. It has speed control: If you want to use it, connect the two wires together, otherwise don't. The same for the cruise control and the three speed switch.

You're correct about the colours for the halls. Most of the other colours are pretty standard.

Be careful with alternative controllers if you use the pedal sensor. Not all controllers have that function.