What kind of motor do I have?

[sbturtle]

Hello,

I purchased a folding e-bike online and I'm enjoying it a lot. I have noticed only one possible issue is that the spinning doesn't continue in the rear-drive so much after pedaling and freewheeling. I was asked if it the rear hub is geared or direct drive. I was under the impression it's geared.

Here is the listing:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07R81XP31/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Is there any way to verify what kind of brand /model/ type motor it is without opening it up?

Here's a picture of the motor serial #:



Here is a couple of videos of it spinning. Is this normal behavior or should it continue spinning better when not pedaling?

Motor Spinning 1:

https://youtu.be/7r04x4FIIAA

Motor Spinning 2:

https://youtu.be/RvgewvIjXCk

Thank you!

 

[E-HP]

Here is a couple of videos of it spinning. Is this normal behavior or should it continue spinning better when not pedaling?

Using pedal assist, the controller should stop providing power to the motor as soon as you stop pedaling/turning the crank. But there's usually a lag of a second or two. Using the throttle, the wheel should keep spinning.

 

[motomech]

Sometimes the numbers on the motor can tell us something about the motor rating, but those numbers seems rather random.
I'm not sure what your question is, but here is my take on the motor.
Usually, sm. mini motors are "geared" and have an internal Sprag clutch along with the reduction gears, but I think that motor is so sm. that there is nothing other than the windings and stator in there and the "free-wheeling" is the free-wheel in the gear hub.

 

[sbturtle]

Usually, sm. mini motors are "geared" and have an internal Sprag clutch along with the reduction gears, but I think that motor is so sm. that there is nothing other than the windings and stator in there and the "free-wheeling" is the free-wheel in the gear hub.

So do you think this is probably a direct drive hub?

Based on the video, does the sound and performance seem normal?

Thanks!

 

[amberwolf]

It says in the listing it is "Bafang Max Motor 36V 250W" (says Wh but that's wrong, they mean W). But the Bafang Max is a middrive, AFAIK.


I haven't seen any DD hubs from Bafang, just geared, though they probably do have some I would bet they're larger in diameter than that.

I would bet that it is a small geared hub like the G310:
https://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=92124

or the YTW:
https://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=93087

or even one of the Q-series, or TongXin, etc.

 

[sbturtle]

Interesting. When I spin it or throttle, it does sound like something kind of clicking freewheel is happening inside the hub. Hope that's a good thing. Just wondering if a direct drive would do that.

 

[amberwolf]

There is a freewheel on the side of the motor that your chain wraps on. that is likely making the noise.

To eliminate it, pull the chain up off the freewheel and let it hang where the wheel and freewheel can't touch it. YOu may also have ot pull it off the pedal chainring to be able to do this.


Once that's done, then if you have the bike upside down so wheel is offground, then you can hand spin it forward by the tire and it should spin easily.

Then hand spin it backward and you should feel resistance, if it's a geared hub.

If it's a DD hub there will be teh same low or no resistance backward as forward.

 

[sbturtle]

Yep, based on your test. It's definitely geared. Thank you!