Kunteng Controller Regen

[soeno]

Hey
So I've recently swapped out a 500w KT controller from Cyclotricity with a similar KT controller which is 1500w dual 36/48v (KT36/48ZWSRL) so that I could use it with a KT-LCD3 and get cruise control...

The controller is sold as having regen capability (and the setting is there in the C params menu), but it doesn't look like there are connectors for it - So I was wondering does anyone have a similar KT controller with regen wires out there that can tell me which pins I need to solder to on the PCB?

Thanks,
Soen

 

[amberwolf]

Regen is just braking, so you engage the brakes, and it engages regen if the controller is capable of it, and you are using a DD hubmotor in the wheel.

 

[soeno]

Ah, that makes perfect sense! I'd seen conflicting reports on the net whether it was a separate control line or not.

I activated the regen, shorted the brake signal together, and the brake indicator lit on the LCD, but the wheel just coasted to a stop, not a forced stop I would have expected from regen. Looks like this controller wasn't as the supplier described. I'll chase it up with them.

Thanks for the reply,
Soen

 

[amberwolf]

but the wheel just coasted to a stop, not a forced stop I would have expected from regen.

What hubmotor do you have in the wheel?

If it's a geared hub, it won't be able to act as a brake.

It has to be a DD (direct drive) hub.

 

[j bjork]

What setting are you changing to get the regen working? I did some settings a while ago, but I never got any regen.

 

[TommyCat]

Just another data point... My Magic Pie V5 will only have regeneration at speeds above 6 mph. Could yours be similar?

 

[j bjork]

If it is ment for me, I am pretty sure I have tried at full speed. I have not been driving it very much though, it is cold here now. But i have never noticed any braking that is not on the disk brakes.

 

[soeno]

@amberwolf
Yeah, definitely have a hub drive that should be capable of it, but it's a Cyclotricity 500watt motor, although don't know the specific manufacturer/model.

@j bjork
The parameter is C13 on the Kunteng LCD-3. Tried all settings and it just doesn't seem to work when I've had the bike upside down for testing. It's likely that the controller doesn't actually support it.

@TommyCat
Yes, I've tried it above 6mph... But the bike was upside down, whilst I was testing it, so there was no force. I don't know whether the controller is smart enough to realise not to enable regen in that circumstance.

 

[E-HP]

What does the LCD indicate? Even on the highest regen setting, I can barely "feel" the regen working, but the LCD scrolls the battery indicator right to left, for charging, and the brake symbol is showing, and volts increase.

I took a test ride yesterday, descending 700 ft in a mile section of road, 3 times,using the regen braking. The voltage would be about 2 volts higher by the time I got to the bottom, then settle about 1 - 1.5 volts, so it definitely works. I don't have any before and after test to see how much it saves on brake pads though.

 

[soeno]

It lights up the braking icon but I didn't actually notice if it starts scrolling the battery like you say. I didn't notice any perceivable slowing down when the bike was freewheeling upside down, I expecting it to force stop the wheel. Because I didn't actually see anything to prove that regen was working, I didn't wire in the brake cables so I haven't actually tried it out "in real life".

 

[j bjork]

Interesting, I will try when I get everything together again. The bike is stripped down for paint now

 

[E-HP]

It lights up the braking icon but I didn't actually notice if it starts scrolling the battery like you say. I didn't notice any perceivable slowing down when the bike was freewheeling upside down, I expecting it to force stop the wheel. Because I didn't actually see anything to prove that regen was working, I didn't wire in the brake cables so I haven't actually tried it out "in real life".

I got around to testing the other C13 settings yesterday, raising my rear wheel, twist throttle on full, and then tapping the front brake lever to activate regen. On C13=1, the regen braking effect is mild, but definitely slows the wheel as soon on the lever is pulled, and the LCD indicates charging. C13=2 increased the braking effect, and each setting above that further increases the effect. I'm going to try playing with level 2 and 3 next time I ride, but I'm hesitant about levels above 2, since the regen braking comes on abruptly, so I can see why the manual says to be careful. If I had a more robust torque arm, I'd feel a little bit more comfortable with using the higher settings.