Makita 18V Powered e-Bike Conversion Kit

[eKitsTW]

During the six years I’ve spent developing an all-in-one smart electric assist wheel( e-rim.com ), focusing on the three essential elements for electric-assist bicycles: the motor, controller, and battery, I have not only obtained several invention, utility model, and design patents but have also continued to pursue breakthroughs in new technologies and application methods.

Of course, it’s not about endlessly chasing innovation. While technological innovation is mainstream in the IT industry, what’s more needed in the traditional bicycle industry are products that are durable, simple, and reasonably priced.

After a period of experimentation, we have launched the eKits electric-assist kit( e-rim.com/ekitsen )

1. BLDC Motor: Designed and manufactured by a Taiwanese factory with over 40 years of history, offering durability and reliability far exceeding those made in mainland China. The front-wheel motor works in tandem with human pedaling on the rear wheel, aligning with the Dual Drive concept of Bridgestone electric-assist bicycles.

2. Controller: Our innovative algorithm supports 18V or 40V batteries, combining motor Hall sensor signals with an external pedal sensor to achieve a pedelec effect similar to Yamaha's PAS system.

3. Battery: Throughout years of development, battery weight, size, durability, and cost have always been our challenges, not to mention the strict regulations on battery transportation today. Fortunately, Makita rechargeable lithium batteries, used for tools, are available in over 40 countries worldwide. With our improved motor and controller system, we've made it possible to use Makita batteries.

Although lowering the voltage reduces the motor's torque, this performance is still sufficient to meet people's daily commuting, school travel, and other urban transportation needs.

Considering the price of Makita 18V battery, you will surely welcome this option.

 

[Atak_Snajpera]

Good job. After 6 years you managed to invent a wheel again but worse. Hub motor and no torque sensor. What year is this? 2014? Guys! We already have superior products like TSDZ8/Toseven DM02/CYC Photon.

18V is pathetic. How many Wh does that battery have? 100Wh?

 

[eKitsTW]

Good job. After 6 years you managed to invent a wheel again but worse. Hub motor and no torque sensor. What year is this? 2014? Guys! We already have superior products like TSDZ8/Toseven DM02/CYC Photon.

Yes,algorythm and MCU can do that.

 

[glennb]

For a universal retro-fit system, fromt hub motor is the most sensible option. And how do you propose torque be sensed? Wireless pedal pressure sensors? Sure, add a thousand dollars to the price.

I like the concept. Hope it goes well for you.

I could use a few decent 18V controllers if you’re selling them independently. VESC seems to be the only the only real option for 5S batteries.

Someone’s sure to point out that it’d make a ton more sense to have the battery and controller at the front of the bike, close to the motor.

I’d guess the Makita’s BMS has strict 30A overcurrent cutout, regardless of Ah rating. It’s just enough power, if your controller can tightly regulate current to 29A.

You’re dead set on Makita? At half their RRP they’d still be poor value compared to some of their opposition. Although the warrantee’s excellent, so I suppose you could get your money’s worth by giving them a hammering on the bike and keep handing them back for replacements.

P.s. BMX with a band brake, never thought I’d see that.

 

[eKitsTW]

 

[eKitsTW]

For a universal retro-fit system, fromt hub motor is the most sensible option. And how do you propose torque be sensed? Wireless pedal pressure sensors? Sure, add a thousand dollars to the price.

I like the concept. Hope it goes well for you.

I could use a few decent 18V controllers if you’re selling them independently. VESC seems to be the only the only real option for 5S batteries.

Someone’s sure to point out that it’d make a ton more sense to have the battery and controller at the front of the bike, close to the motor.

I’d guess the Makita’s BMS has strict 30A overcurrent cutout, regardless of Ah rating. It’s just enough power, if your controller can tightly regulate current to 29A.

You’re dead set on Makita? At half their RRP they’d still be poor value compared to some of their opposition. Although the warrantee’s excellent, so I suppose you could get your money’s worth by giving them a hammering on the bike and keep handing them back for replacements.

P.s. BMX with a band brake, never thought I’d see that.

"combining motor Hall signals with an external pedal sensor to achieve a pedelec effect ...."

 

[Atak_Snajpera]

Bad design. Very unsafe. Motor should not engage if there is no input power from your legs! That's why YOU need torque sensor + cadence sensor. No idea how are you going to compete with TSDZ8 or Toseven DM02?

 

[eKitsTW]

Bad design. Very unsafe. Motor should not engage if there is no input power from your legs! That's why YOU need torque sensor + cadence sensor.

EN15194,passed that standard aleady.
Wondering that whether you are in the bicycle supply chain? How do you define it unsafe?
Sram,Trek China,Specialied. Friends from them tested already.

 

[Atak_Snajpera]

EN15194,passed that standard aleady.

Wondering that whether you are in the bicycle supply chain? How do you define it unsafe?
Sram,Trek China,Specialied. Friends from them tested already.

Just look at the competition. Your solution is just another HUB motor using simple cadence sensor + some gyro.
There is nothing new here and nothing special. Plus that tiny 18V 6Ah (~100Wh) battery is pathetic!
With good assist range will be lower than 15km. Not to mention about HUGE voltage sag due to 5S2P configuration (assuming you are using 18650 cells 3Ah). That battery will be degrading like crazy under that load.

 

[lnanek]

Marketing material says it can take both 18V and 40V Makita batteries. So maybe they have a DC-DC boost converter in there? That might help compensate for voltage sag as well, at the cost of the max amperage between battery and controller getting cut down.

Taipei is a lot like Manhattan - super dense and crowded with a lot of short, low speed trips and a good subway system. Saw thousands of scooters when I visited. So low power, low capacity bikes to get between subway stations can make sense.

I tried to use a boost converter with my Baserunner controller once but the controller got over voltage faults every time I went downhill even with regen set to minimum. I think that controller expects to feedback into the battery in certain situations or something, which can't be done through a DC-DC voltage converter.

Too bad they didn't use DeWalt packs. For power tools and my kid's Powerwheels I've been using Milwaukee M12. 12V tools are too weak to cut thick plywood, though, and the batteries impossible to balance because of resistors behind the balance contacts. I've been thinking DeWalt flex volt packs might be the best upgrade. They have contacts that can go to the various parts of the battery directly and can provide up to 60V using the right set, or lower voltage if you use different sets that tap more of the cells in parallel. No need for a boost converter and a 60V saw will cut plywood better.

 

[raylo32]

If you want to use off the shelf tool batteries you should have used Ego 56V (really 52V) batteries. I have Makita tools and a bunch of those 18v batteries. No way they will power an e-bilke very fast or far. Or at all. I made a cradle to power my TSDZ2... now Photon... with the Ego batteries. I use the 5Ah versions and they work perfectly. They also have larger capacities up to 10 Ah IIRC.

EGO 56V Battery Mount for E-Bike or Other Project by raylo32

This is a battery mount that will accept EGO 56V (they really are 52V but that's a whole other story) tool batteries and enable you to tap their power for an e-bike or other project. This can come in handy if you don't have access to a dead EGO tool to harvest the battery mount. Those broken...

www.thingiverse.com

 

[eKitsTW]

Marketing material says it can take both 18V and 40V Makita batteries. So maybe they have a DC-DC boost converter in there? That might help compensate for voltage sag as well, at the cost of the max amperage between battery and controller getting cut down.

Taipei is a lot like Manhattan - super dense and crowded with a lot of short, low speed trips and a good subway system. Saw thousands of scooters when I visited. So low power, low capacity bikes to get between subway stations can make sense.

I tried to use a boost converter with my Baserunner controller once but the controller got over voltage faults every time I went downhill even with regen set to minimum. I think that controller expects to feedback into the battery in certain situations or something, which can't be done through a DC-DC voltage converter.

Too bad they didn't use DeWalt packs. For power tools and my kid's Powerwheels I've been using Milwaukee M12. 12V tools are too weak to cut thick plywood, though, and the batteries impossible to balance because of resistors behind the balance contacts. I've been thinking DeWalt flex volt packs might be the best upgrade. They have contacts that can go to the various parts of the battery directly and can provide up to 60V using the right set, or lower voltage if you use different sets that tap more of the cells in parallel. No need for a boost converter and a 60V saw will cut plywood better.

01 Makita 40V type. Currently not available in our product line. Considering 40v battery cost/performance. We are gonna launch it later.
02 Not only controller. Also there are some modifications in the hub motor.
03 Dewalt battery. No problem. Maybe on Taobao you can find the adapter. F.Y.I. But sorry it is in Chinese https://tw.shp.ee/TrCeK6E

 

[eKitsTW]

If you want to use off the shelf tool batteries you should have used Ego 56V (really 52V) batteries. I have Makita tools and a bunch of those 18v batteries. No way they will power an e-bilke very fast or far. Or at all. I made a cradle to power my TSDZ2... now Photon... with the Ego batteries. I use the 5Ah versions and they work perfectly. They also have larger capacities up to 10 Ah IIRC.

EGO 56V Battery Mount for E-Bike or Other Project by raylo32

This is a battery mount that will accept EGO 56V (they really are 52V but that's a whole other story) tool batteries and enable you to tap their power for an e-bike or other project. This can come in handy if you don't have access to a dead EGO tool to harvest the battery mount. Those broken...

www.thingiverse.com

Thanks for the advice.
City bicycle,road bike,mountaion bike,and foldable....Each has its own corresponding parts specifications and applications.
i think it is the answer.
If the P.O. is 500 sets.
We will receive that in any specs you want.

 

[E-HP]

Bad design. Very unsafe. Motor should not engage if there is no input power from your legs!

Trying to make an ebike feel like something invented over 200 years ago seems retro, but there’s a market for it. Both technology and humans can evolve and not be tied to how things “should” work under a 200 year old paradigm, unless that’s what you like, which is fine too. The truth is, any behavior you can get from an ebike can be replicated through your brain and careful manipulation of the throttle.

 

[eKitsTW]

Trying to make an ebike feel like something invented over 200 years ago seems retro, but there’s a market for it. Both technology and humans can evolve and not be tied to how things “should” work under a 200 year old paradigm, unless that’s what you like, which is fine too. The truth is, any behavior you can get from an ebike can be replicated through your brain and careful manipulation of the throttle.

Copied that.
Thanks.

 

[rafalg]

Makita battery is actually a good idea for all DIY hobbyists - you can get a standard Makita battery, but you can also buy a januine Makita box at Aliexpress, in extra size - 5S3P or 5S4P. Pretty cheap, you supply any cells that you want, and use it until dead. Then replace. You can also get more boxes for extending the range.

 

[docw009]

Well, it certainly is a safe system as far as battery fires, using Makita and other UL recognized tool batteries. I like the little 20" mini used in your video. Built one like it. Under 35 pounds.

I've run my bikes on Ryobi 40V. and its 85Wh is about 12 miles.

Well good luck Tough to compete on price with cheap 36V and 48V packs using chinese cells even though they can burn your homes up..

 

[Az.]

Did you test your system on hills?

 

[eKitsTW]

Did you test your system on hills?

The small silver single-speed bicycle in the video was a toy that my daughter had when she was in elementary school. She is now a sophomore in college and is already 5 feet 7 inches tall.
Around 36 seconds, it’s uphill. Without power assist, she couldn't step on it. And she couldn't get up even if she stand up,with that kind of gear ratio.
F.Y.I.

 

[Az.]

You have a very nice daughter, but this bike is totally to small for her and single speed. No wonder she couldn't pedal.

 

[eKitsTW]

Thanks.
The bike was new and barely used. So, recycle waste and modify it for demo use.
She's probably going to Seattle soon and I'm going to miss her....unnnn.

 

[marty]

That battery will be degrading like crazy under that load.

So? Stop, replace battery. Go some more. Same as you do when your cordless power tool stops working.

 

[marty]

Well good luck Tough to compete on price with cheap 36V and 48V packs using chinese cells even though they can burn your homes up..

I have been buying and using Makita 18V tools since the beginning of cordless power tools. Marty the contractor here. Got so many Makita 18V batteries and tools I should make a list. Just bought:
36V (18V X2) LXT® Brushless 1.3 Gallon HEPA Filter 12” Upright Vacuum XCV19Z

Makita Power Tools

Clean more without a cord! The 36V (18V X2) LXT® Brushless 1.3 Gallon HEPA Filter 12” Upright Vacuum provides maximum productivity by covering more space in less time. It is CRI-certified for high performance in commercial cleaning applications. Move without restriction and clean hard-to-reach...

www.makitatools.com

Nice vacuum. It sucks.

Recently fired up the internet to shop for 2 new Makita 18V batteries. Was horrified to see counterfeit copies for less money. Fire is one reason I don't build my own batteries or buy unknown bargains from who knows where. Bought 2, 4.0Ah batteries on eBay. They look to be genuine, best as I can tell.

 

[marty]

Questions?
I weigh 140 pounds. If I put your motor and battery on a thin tire bike like the one shown in this video.

How fast will I go with no pedaling?
How far will I go on one battery with moderate pedaling?
See manual here:

eKits前輪キットマニュアル.pdf

drive.google.com

I don't do well with [ルに不必要なストレスがかかり] Please translate.

If something should go wrong with your equipment? Have you written a service manual? I have great difficulty repairing computers, cars, trucks, airplanes, and electric bicycles with out written documentation from the manufacturer.

 

[marty]

Sorry that I am not knowledgeable on go by magic bicycle technology. Watch this video:

If rider squeezes brake to stop. Will motor stop powering wheel?

My only personal experience is Bionx brake disconnect switch. Magnet switch I think.