Two modes on one controler selected by a switch

[Skippic]

Hi,

I'm pretty new here, so I hope I'm not asking something that has been solved before. I live in Europe and the law here states that the maximum continuous power rating for a ebike motor is 250W. Plus the maximum assisted speed is 25km/h and it must be pedal assist. Now I understand the reasoning behind the law, but since I consider myself to be mature and responsible enough to set my own limits, especially on my long lonely commutes I would like to have the option to switch between the legal setting and my own (something like 40km/h).

The controller I was looking at is the:
Crystalyte analog 35A 24-72v 12 FETs BLDC motor controller limited to 35A

The two modes would be:
1.) Europe legal
250W
<25km/h
activated by pedaling

2.) My custom setting
600W
no speed limit
activated by pedaling and power selected either with thumb throttle or cruise control (thumb throttle and cruise control would work only if I pedal)

I also have other requirements, but I tried to keep it simple and to the point.

Changing modes should be quick (in case I get stopped). I understand one can program the cycle analyst to either of the two modes, but I would like to switch in a couple of seconds.

Thank you!

 

[BLUESTREAK]

Try and get a newer model of the CRYASTLYTE controller that has a connector plug for the three speed switch that CRYASTLYTE SELLS.

 

[Jeremy Harris]

Hi,

I'm pretty new here, so I hope I'm not asking something that has been solved before. I live in Europe and the law here states that the maximum continuous power rating for a ebike motor is 250W. Plus the maximum assisted speed is 25km/h and it must be pedal assist. Now I understand the reasoning behind the law, but since I consider myself to be mature and responsible enough to set my own limits, especially on my long lonely commutes I would like to have the option to switch between the legal setting and my own (something like 40km/h).

The controller I was looking at is the:
Crystalyte analog 35A 24-72v 12 FETs BLDC motor controller limited to 35A

The two modes would be:
1.) Europe legal
250W
<25km/h
activated by pedaling

2.) My custom setting
600W
no speed limit
activated by pedaling and power selected either with thumb throttle or cruise control (thumb throttle and cruise control would work only if I pedal)

I also have other requirements, but I tried to keep it simple and to the point.

Changing modes should be quick (in case I get stopped). I understand one can program the cycle analyst to either of the two modes, but I would like to switch in a couple of seconds.

Thank you!

Any of the XieChang/Infineon controllers made in the last few years will do this. I'm pretty sure the Crystalyte controller is really a XieChang. These controllers all have three selectable maximum speed connections internally, that just needs to be hooked up to a suitable switch. You can use just two of the three settings if you want and just have a single switch, maybe hidden from view so it's not obvious that you can switch the bike to an illegal mode. With the controller suitably programmed you can have any speed settings you want, up to the maximum the controller and motor is capable of.

There are threads here on programming these controllers and on hooking up the speed selector wires, it's all pretty easy to do. I'd suggest setting 100% as one setting and whatever percentage speed you need to remain legal on the other setting. The switch could easily be fitted to the controller case or run up to the handle bars with a bit of thin three core cable.

Switching off pedelec in high speed mode is a bit harder. You can programme the controller so that the throttle overrides the pedelec, but that would make it illegal in some parts of Europe where pedelec is required. One way might be to just programme the controller like this and make the switch disconnect the throttle in legal mode. This would make the bike pedelec only in legal, low speed mode, and pedelec with throttle override in high speed mode. Using a double pole switch for the legal/illegal mode switch would allow this.

Jeremy

 

[Skippic]

Thank you for all the info!

I'm thinking of keeping the pedelec even for the high speed setting (I want to be as discreet as possible).

 

[Racer_X]

Hello Skippic,
I don't know what part of Europe you live in but i live in Stockholm Sweden, the way I have gotten around this 250w max is:
when I ride my bike in the streets and I see a police I start pedaling!
I have an off the shelf e-bikekit 9c running at an off the shelf 48v Ping battery. I average 40+ kilometers an hour.
The stock e-bikekit controller comes with a speed supressor loop (single wires that plug into each other) that i connected once and realized it was way too slow. I have since left it disconnected.
I don't have the pedelec option installed, you have to remember that the cops are not interested in chasing you around becuase you have a modified electric bike that goes faster than 25 kmh. It is not their priority, I have never had someone check if it is pedelec or not.
I have had this system for over a year, have ran across many police officers in vans, patrol cars and on bikes and never got harassed, and they have even seen me going up hills +25kmh without pedaling (And I saw them smiling, and maybe even wishing they had one). But this is Stockholm, I don't know what it's like in your town.
If one day they where to harass me, I can simply plug the suppressor loop wires together and walaaaa it's 250w.

 

[dogman dan]

Good way to have a legal street mode, and an off road mode. All you need is a switch on the suppressor loop.

 

[nicobie]

Get a cycle analyst and do the amp limiting mod. All it is is adding a pot. I even added a switch on my throttle so I can bypass the pot. when I want to go fast.

 

[Skippic]

So basically I can add 2 switches one for suppressor loop to limit max speed and another for max power? How do I connect the pedelec to all this?

Could someone suggest me a good controller for 48V 15Ah battery and BMC V2s motor (I intend to run at max 600W-700W) with all the necessary functions.

Thanks again for all the info.

 

[Skippic]

I'm thinking maybe I could get a simple analog controller and the Arduino to manage all the options. That way I can set any advanced options and have all the flexibility I desire with just a little added price.

I probably should have placed this in the technical section. Can someone move it please?

Thanks!

 

[Jeremy Harris]

It's pretty easy to do as you say and use a simple external ucontroller to handle interfaces to these ebike controllers. Most of the signals are direct to the ucontroller inside the motor controller anyway, so are pretty much logic level.

One other tip for avoiding suspicion from the police is to make the bike look as innocuous as possible. Most people who look at my electric folding bike wouldn't know that it's a 1kW electric bike, as there's nothing that makes it look out of place (here's a post with a photo of it: http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=21945#p330008)

I haven't bothered with a legal/illegal mode switch as I'm near certain that I'll never attract the attention of the police when out riding it, although I do tend to pedal whenever there are people around.

Jeremy