greenspark
100 W
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2011
- Messages
- 176
lazy_mosquito said:This is the same for Europe. The 750W Bafangs from lcrewse cost 750$ + shipping (150$?) and then another 21% import duty in Europe over the total price which makes roughly 1080$ for a Bafang. The whole idea of chinese import is that they are a littlebit of lesser quality but cheaper then European engines. 1080$ is not exactly cheaper then our engines.
So i am also thinking of bying a bafang from em3ev but as far as i know he is also not able to deliver bafangs with a modified software, hence thats why i am looking for a way to connect another controller to the bafang. But as far as i can see is this one of the most treasured secrets of this forum. :? i seems most people don't know how to do it, and the people who knows don't answer the question.
Is there somebody on endless-sphere who knows how to connect an external controller to the Bafang or know somebody else who knows how to do it?
I don't know how to connect an external controller, but am not sure that is the best way to achieve your goals. If it is essential, you will need to unscrew the motor and start mucking around because the controller is built in (which in my opinion is one of its best features... less clutter, less exposed to the elements). You would need to find the cables that go to the motor and splice in your controller. In doing so, you will void the warranty and may discover that the BBS01 motor is engineered differently than hub motors and your controller is not compatible. I was told by the factory rep that it is a different design, but cannot determine what that means. However, from your comments, it suggests you would prefer to have a modified internal controller to achieve specific outcomes. The comments from the American importer suggest that he accomplishes his goals by changing the firmware and tailoring the software. You might want to correspond with the American to see if for a fee, he would walk you through the changes after you ordered the motor direct from China rather than adding the double shipment. But...
First, I would suggest you correspond with em3ev (Paul) rather than presume he is not able to custom program. The built-in controller is programmable, Bafang does supply the codes to some people, but it may take a while to get the precise information to set them up as desired. Paul is just getting into these motors, but his reputation is stellar.
Second, Bafang is learning. They listen. The CST motor was an idea submitted by a member of this forum, if I recall correctly. There are some things Bafang does not wish to see, most notably pushing the motors beyond their engineering safe specs. For example, a colleague of mine has a dead CST hanging on the wall that he tried to run on a 50v battery - burned it out. But, they do want to be the best in market, so work out what they need to do to get there.
I would suggest that you start a new thread on this forum called "Features I would like to see on the Bafang BBS01/02 motor" and try to control it so that it does not get cluttered up with off-subject comments. If it is good, I will alert my contact at the factory and ask him to read it. Please keep it simple and realistic. Bafang is not interested in damaging their reputation by pressing the envelope too far. They are interested in market growth and being market responsive. Also, if you are willing to wait, Bafang does send representatives to the major trade shows in Europe. That's the best place to establish a personal relationship that may help you attain your goals. Just remember that they prefer selling wholesale... 30,000 unit orders from major bike makers rather than my 30 unit order. That's why we need someone like Paul who will buy in bulk and sell by unit. (footnote: Bafang supplies them in boxes of four. If you buy four at a time, Paul does not need to unpack and repack to ship out. If you can afford it, buy four, or find three friends to go in with you). But if your ideas are ones that broadly improve the product, they will listen. I know, because some of my ideas showed up on the most recent order. Whether they listened to me, or to the early adopters in Europe is unknown, but the fact is that it is a better motor.
The features that I have proposed to Bafang are as follows:
- Decouple Thumb Throttle from speed settings (note, this seems to have been done with some, but not all of the units they sent to us)
- Design display so it can be removed and replaced with an analogue on/off and 1-2-3 mechanical switch for immediate power change (pressing a button three times is poor ergonomics). The display is most likely the first thing to fail and replacement with a 1-2-3 switch will extend life. For some who want stealth look or who will rent bikes, no display is better
- Design it to work with a Shimano/SA three-speed internal hub (and more speeds). We find that three speeds is really all that is needed, but with an internal hub, the chain cannot be moving when shifting. The motor has a lag.
- Provide shorter cables with extensions for bikes that need it - eliminate cable clutter
- Provide a better-looking chain guard - the plastic looks cheap; nicer plastic or aluminium. Provide an optional hockey stick guard as well
- Sell it with the black C695 display; offers a lot more features than the C691
- Provide the battery connector to the battery supplier so the whole kit uses the waterproof Bafang connectors
Seriously, I never gave the enclosed trike a thought as a pedal only vehicle. Too much into bikes I guess. Never seen one in our area either.
