Programming the Bafang Middrive BBS01+BBS02

[Tom L]

The loopback test failed but interestingly the Tx and Rx LEDS flashed when connected to the USB port and the device identified itself to the computer. This means a problem on the logic level RS232 side. Some quick multimeter probing identified that the switch that swaps the TX and RX lines was faulty on the RX input side.

Half way through trying to de-solder it I decided to pop the top off the switch and see if I could fix it ( http://i.imgur.com/2fMSWaU.jpg ). Some frustrating tweezer work later and I had it back together and working,

PAS levels sorted!

 

[Aushiker]

Looking at the various settings, there is one on the Pedal Assist page I am unclear, it is "Start Current %" I notice that Kepler has it at 30% but in my default settings (BBS01) it is 20%.

What does this setting do and is worth increasing it? Oh I have set my bike to match Kepler's and Piexo settings as I think our riding is similar, if that matters.

Thanks
Andrew

 

[Tom L]

It's how much power the motor begins with from 0 rpm, i.e. how soft the start is. Be very careful about increasing this. It can create power demands that result in a dead controller.

 

[Aushiker]

It's how much power the motor begins with from 0 rpm, i.e. how soft the start is. Be very careful about increasing this. It can create power demands that result in a dead controller.

Okay thanks. I have left it at the default.

Andrew

 

[lazy_mosquito]

Just to confirm the new BBS02 750W 48V from EM3EV works perfect with the original software.

 

[tomjasz]

Just to confirm the new BBS02 750W 48V from EM3EV works perfect with the original software.

On the BBS01 350W 36V from Em3ev as well, but I'm curious.

 

[lazy_mosquito]

Is there somewhere on this threads a list which explains all the different values of the programming tool and their impact?
At this moment i am driving only with PAS, but every time i reach my topspeed the assist would stop and the speeds drops, when i then have to change gear, brake or something else that interrupts the ride, assist will activate again. I changed "keep current" already to 100% but this has no impact.

 

[lazy_mosquito]

other question:

Is there a way to program the BBS02 in such a way that different levels of PAS can have a different topspeed.

eg:
PAS 1 - 3 max speed = 20 km/h
PAS 4 - 6 max speed = 30km/h
PAS 7 - 9 max speed = 50km/h

 

[shanman3us]

Is there somewhere on this threads a list which explains all the different values of the programming tool and their impact?
At this moment i am driving only with PAS, but every time i reach my topspeed the assist would stop and the speeds drops, when i then have to change gear, brake or something else that interrupts the ride, assist will activate again. I changed "keep current" already to 100% but this has no impact.

These are some of the notes I have kept that describe many of the settings:

http://goo.gl/puHH4L --> pjgold's setting descriptions (slow start, start deg, wrk mode)
http://goo.gl/HF6CWa --> 'Work Mode' setting explanation
http://goo.gl/J6UOOc --> 'Current Decay' setting explanation
http://goo.gl/hNJZyK --> 'Max. Amp' setting info (pjgold)
http://goo.gl/qBYoeR --> 'keep current%' Make PAS same power as throttle (tahustvedt)

Credit goes to the individuals as listed.

Regards, Shanman3us

 

[ac246]

Anyone else any experience with "Keep Current%" ?

I had it set to 100%, I think this is why my controller is broken. I think this may be when you first press the throttle, it is the minimum throttle level that is applied. if setting it to 1% it shuould give a good range of throttle, whereas 100% turns the throttle into an on/off switch.

I havent tested this to make sure it is true but i think it is what it means because my throttle was purely on or off.

 

[Racer_X]

I had it set to 100%, I think this is why my controller is broken. I think this may be when you first press the throttle, it is the minimum throttle level that is applied. if setting it to 1% it shuould give a good range of throttle, whereas 100% turns the throttle into an on/off switch.

Who did you get your BBS02 from? can you give a link? Maybe it was programmed that way. If you buy one of those in Sweden you can bet it will be programmed weak.

 

[Kepler]

Is there somewhere on this threads a list which explains all the different values of the programming tool and their impact?
At this moment i am driving only with PAS, but every time i reach my topspeed the assist would stop and the speeds drops, when i then have to change gear, brake or something else that interrupts the ride, assist will activate again. I changed "keep current" already to 100% but this has no impact.

Have you set all your speed limits to 100%? I found it is best just let the current limit set your speed naturally for each assist level.

Anyone else any experience with "Keep Current%" ?

I had it set to 100%, I think this is why my controller is broken. I think this may be when you first press the throttle, it is the minimum throttle level that is applied. if setting it to 1% it shuould give a good range of throttle, whereas 100% turns the throttle into an on/off switch.

I havent tested this to make sure it is true but i think it is what it means because my throttle was purely on or off.

Unless something has change in the later drives, Keep Current% has nothing to do with throttle. All BBS throttles have felt a bit switch like. Its been documented since the first threads.

These are the settings that have served me well over the last 2000km of commuting. Use them at your own risk. I have not tested them on the latest drives so I can't comment on how effective they are. However I do have a few new drives to program tonight so I can report back my findings then.



View attachment 2

 

[ac246]

Hi Guys,
Sorry i made a massive mistake in my last post, i meant "Initial Current %", Not "Keep Current %"
Ive ordered some new FETs which should arrive in the morning and will try soldering them in and see if that fixes my controller.

 

[Kepler]

I presume you mean "Start Current %" (in the throttle setting page) This indeed would give the throttle switch like behaviour if set to 100%.

So how are are you going to change out FETs on a potted controller?

 

[Kepler]

A quick amendment also.

On the basic page I stated setting Limit Current% and Limit Spd% to 1% and 0% respectively for a throttle only assist setting. This should have been 100% and 1% respectively.

My apologies. I have amended the image to the correct text.

On another note, programmed up 4 of the new 750W 9FET drives last night. No problems at all programming the drives with the my original programing cable and software however some of the factory settings were on the questionable side.

More on this to follow,

 

[Kepler]

Below were the reads from the new BBS02 750W 9FET drive. When riding the bikes with these drives fitted, the owners were complaining about how the bike would take off way too quickly even on assist 1. Looking at these settings it is no wonder this was the case.







It was interesting to feel the difference between the old BBS02 750W (that I am using) and the latest model. The new model definitely is a more powerful unit but the controller settings were certainly less then ideal.

After a couple of hours of tuning we had the drive dialled in really sweetly with the pedal assist feeling nice and controllable and the hand throttle smooth and linear in its operation.

One thing that i did notice is the new drives seem to be more prone to cogging if you take off in to harder gear. Easy to ride around but worth keeping in mind.

These are the settings that we ended up with.

Note the Assist 0 settings for throttle only control and Throttle mode set to current.

 

[tomjasz]

Would you please define "cogging"? And why I should mind?

Thanks,

T

 

[Tom L]

Would you please define "cogging"? And why I should mind?

It is a felling of uneven, jerky power application. Similar to the feeling of a cog slipping/jumping in the drive train.

You should mind because when set up correctly and taking off in the correct gear the start should be a smooth application of power that causes less stress on the system.

 

[Lenk42602]

Below were the reads from the new BBS02 750W 9FET drive.

Kepler,

I have a kill switch on my bike that I plan to use as an "electronic clutch" for gear shifts, PAS only

reading through all of the posts, it seems as though the most immediate PAS kill, and shortest delay time with PAS to pick back up after the shift is to utilize the throttle line rather than brake cut offs.

Correct? If so, what would my throttle settings look like if I was going to use it as a PAS kill switch?

Thanks,

Len

 

[Tom L]

You can leave them as default settings if you use Kepler's circuit as it will supply the correct low voltage to cut the motor. I linked the circuits here as I couldn't be bothered looking for them again and I had them saved: http://imgur.com/a/lx7lo

 

[dbIsMe]

Kepler

Was there any particular reason/workaround why you limited the current to 18A from the 25A it was originally?

Cheers

 

[Kepler]

The 18A current limit is an optional setting. In this case the bike was being built for a client's wife and wanted the current limit set a little more conservatively.

At a 25A current limit, the drive pulls hard which is a good thing. The 18A current limit still give good performance but takes much of the stress out of the drive components and drive train.

 

[nioko]

Can anyone tell me the confirmed lowest LVC Setting for the BBS02 48v, newer 25A model? I can't find it.

Cheers, Nioko

 

[darth_elevator]

I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who has contributed to this thread. I just finished reading through this entire thread and am excited to try tweaking my settings. I'm not an electronics guy, so there's NO WAY I would have dived in to try programming this thing on my own. So grateful for some excellent info on this thread. So now I'm off to email Paul to order an $8 cable.

 

[Tom L]

Paul is on his way to the USA at the moment so expect a day or two delay for him to reply.