RC controller on an E-bike

[Mathurin]

Ok, anyone found an affordable RC controller that can run an e-bike? The
ones I've seen were absurdly expensive, the others too low voltage. They do
look mighty light, though.

And what about timing ajustment? I've seen controllers with two selectable
timing ranges, and controllers that claim to be automatic. Whatever that
means.

A nice thing is they pretty much all seem to have a 5v output, meaning it
could feed a hall throttle. Dunno how the throttle input is made, though.

 

[fechter]

I've looked around and there's a few that could run on up to a 36v system, but most of them are lower voltage.

The 5v BEC output could run a hall throttle. The hall throttle signal would need to be converted to a standard servo input with something called a "servo tester", which could also run on the 5v. I built a servo tester from a 555 chip and a few resistors and capacitors. I have a schematic for one. You could also buy one already built.

Somebody on the old Voltage Forum was using a RC controller with a brushed motor. I think it was Dom, but I can't remember. Anyway, he reported good results.

The higher current ones are quite expensive. Most of them have programmable timing, but it does not change dynamically. Ideally I would want the timing to advance as a function of rpm. I'm not sure if the "automatic timing" ones actually do this, but it's certainly possible to do.

Here's one:
http://www.castlecreations.com/products/phoenix_hv-45.html

I was thinking of using a small one and connecting it to the power stage of a Crystallyte controller to boost the output. I would be sort of cool to not need those pesky hall sensor wires to the motor.

 

[D-Man]

Mine only is good for 20 cells.

 

[patrick_mahoney]

Castle Creations have a few "high voltage" controllers. There's this one:
http://www.castlecreations.com/products/phoenix_hv-45.html
50V, 45A for $160.

It looks like it may be a bit hard to find. They have a lot of programming options - and they sell a USB gizmo that lets you program from Windows. I've never used their HV series, but for model airplanes, I've played around with the Phoenix 25's for years and they have been reliable and work to the advertised specs.

 

[salsa]

I've looked around and there's a few that could run on up to a 36v system, but most of them are lower voltage.

Somebody on the old Voltage Forum was using a RC controller with a brushed motor. I think it was Dom, but I can't remember. Anyway, he reported good results.

You are close. The name is Don or Salsa.

I still have the bike and it still uses the Model airplane controller.

http://sports.webshots.com/photo/1128678144035901804XhctXB

The controller is above the motor and to the left of the shock. It is the white spot with the red outline.

It is a BRUSH controller.

Don

 

[NickF23]

***watches thread with interests**

The torque on my kollmorgen brushless is pretty wild with the timing advanced (by connecting hall sensors and phase wires the wrong way). Thing is I wouldn't want it on all the time as its not efficient. I imagine ideally you could have a turbo button or slide switch or something on the throttle.

 

[plwc]

How about a group purchase of controllers ?

I sent an email to TNC scotters, regarding a group purchase of brushless controllers. These come from yin yun, I may have a link somewhere, I
have to look. seems to me, the cost was around 80.00 for a 48V 25A brushless controller.

I've been trying to find affordable parts to support my pair of crystalyte
406/408 dual voltage table weights



http://www.yi-yun.com/product_detail.asp?cid=187&id=688

 

[Jay]

Hey Don (Salsa),

That's a great looking bike; I remember seeing it on electric-bicycle-experiments.com, and wondering what kind of speed and range it got. Sorry this is off-topic, but can you give any numbers?

Bet it's a pleasure to ride with full suspension and a very low CG!

Jay

 

[salsa]

Jay
Here are some old posts that give some details.

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/power-assist/message/24972

Old batteries suck. I doubt it will go over 30 now. I tested it to 15 miles before the batteries got a little wimpy.

I have moved on to Mopeds now for more speed and range.

http://community.webshots.com/user/donkes

Don :lol: