More Speed from Ebikeling 36v Setup

[smorse1]

Just took my maiden voyage on a bike I set up for commuting 7.5 miles to work. Ran great, but only getting around 15 mph out of it. The motor reaches top speed and cuts out, which I am assuming is supposed to happen.

I have the SW900 (http://www.boatstogo.com/images/Saturn-Electric-Folding-Bicycle/LCD-Instructions-SW900.pdf)
A 26" 500w hub, 36v controller setup.
I changed the settings to limit to 20amps, which definitely gives a bit more kick than the initial 12 amps it was restricted to.

The manual states 50km/h is unlimited speed, and I am running with throttle only, not PAS. It cuts out when it hits that speed--not accurate, btw, as I verified by another device I am only going about half that. Maybe I am missing a setting? Maybe this is the maximum I can get out of it, but I'd like to think it would move along a little quicker.

does anyone have any experience with this setup that could point me in the right direction to get a little more speed out of it?

 

[eCue]

I would move the pas speed settings to max speed , test then move P10 = 1 (try P2 if nothing happens in testing )
Still nothing try all the P9 zero start settings out at speed and see what happens.

 

[fechter]

If that doesn't work, you might try changing the wheel size setting to a smaller wheel. This would make your speedometer read low but also fool the processor.

Another test is to lift the wheel and see how fast it goes with no load.

 

[smorse1]

@Fechter, lol...I thought of that, since the speedo is useless now as is anyway.

Also, note for anyone who's thinking of purchasing this setup, it's actually very nice. I did the front wheel since I wanted it to be quick and easy. The speedometer on the 900 does not work when you are coasting and doesn't really show the speed correctly, you'll want some other setup for that.

 

[docw009]

I have both the same kit with SW900 and an older one with a 36V 22A controller and LED display. The latter will get close to 20 mph, measured on a bike computer. It's looks like the same motor on the new kit, so it should run the same. I would expect 20 mph too.

I haven't installed the newer one, but its no load speed was around 22-24 mph on 36V when I tested it. I mistakenly changed (and forgot) my P7 setting on the SW900 which affects the displayed speed. I emailed the vendor and confirmed the default setting is 46.

I also noticed that is that the LCD doesn't keep the speed when coasting. Disappointing. The manual says external speedometer is an extended function. Maybe there is an extra input on the LCD board or one in the controller. Well, an $8 bike computer is needed then.

 

[smorse1]

Update: I found that you can adjust the setting for the speed limiting in km from 50 to on up even though the manual says 50 = unlimited. I set it to 80 and am getting the speed I expected out of it (at the expense of draining the battery faster!). The speedometer is still off by a long ways, and does not show speed when you are coasting, but otherwise I have no complaints about this setup. It's lighter than the direct drive hub I rode in the past, and is really pretty quiet. It makes for a nice commute to work, along a mostly level bike path for 3 miles, then 3.5 miles of neighborhood streets that are more hilly. According to the computer, I am pulling at peak, around 900 watts and can keep it around 300 on the level if I pedal some.

I will continue to tweak the settings with the hopes of getting my speedometer at least showing a ballpark speed - it's about 30-40% high as it is currently set.