Why does my TSDZ2 have such limited power?

[geocycle]

A few months ago I installed a tsdz2, and now I want to understand what is limiting its speed and climbing ability.

The bike has the following components (purchased from Eco Cycles):
tsdz2 motor (750w 48v) and 860c controller with standard firmware
48v 14aH battery with Samsung 35E cells
The motor is rated at max speed of 28mph and 100Nm.
Torque sensor--no throttle.

The problem is that the power seems to fade at about 20-21mph on a slight uphill slope, and only about 1 mph faster going down the same slight slope.

It seems rather that the motor/battery is limited by power. For example, today I did a ride with someone who was on his bike with a 250w Bosch (rated 28 mph and 80 Nm), and he could go up a hill at 18 mph where I couldn't go faster than 12 mph. Our weights are similar (50 lb bikes and 150 lb riders). Also, my speed didn't change detectably when I changed the assist level in the 860c. This makes me suspect that the motor was already using its full rated power even at a low assist level.

My questions are:
How do I tell if my motor is putting out the rated 750w? (The 860c has a setting for choosing to display power or current, but neither actually shows up on the display.)

Am I wrong to expect my bike to climb as well as a bike with a Bosch 250w motor?

Thanks for any help in figuring out what is going on.

 

[ilu]

Your 860C display and controller are apparently pre-installed with the Open Source Firmware. You should check the detailed instructions on the settings here:
https://github.com/OpenSourceEBike/TSDZ2_wiki/wiki/Features-and-configurations-on-display

If you don't have the field weakening feature enabled, then the motor power goes down at a cadence of 90 RPM, meaning that if you are pedalling fast you won't get much assist. The field weakening raises the working cadence up to 130, but with a loss of some efficiency.

If the cadence limit is overcome, I think the power should be close to Bosch' motor (rated at 250W, but peak power much higher), but might still not be equal. The 48V is an advantage, but the maximum draw current of TSDZ2 is 16 amperes, so about 750W is hard limit on the peak power. Perhaps Bosch' motor can work with higher current. I've ridden a bike with that only once and based on my memory I'd say the power is in the same ballpark as my 52V TSDZ2.

 

[Chalo]

If you put a power meter between the battery and controller, you can at least get an idea of how much juice you're using (which is only one factor in how much power you get at the wheel).

 

[LeftCoastNurd]

The Eco-ebike setup I bought in September came with 1.0 firmware, and when I installed 1.1 various aspects worked better.

I have the temp sensor on mine, and it definitely overheats if you ask for too much power for very long then auto-throttles back, and if you let it get TOO hot (not that hard), the power completely shuts off.

 

[casainho]

Your 860C display and controller are apparently pre-installed with the Open Source Firmware. You should check the detailed instructions on the settings here:
https://github.com/OpenSourceEBike/TSDZ2_wiki/wiki/Features-and-configurations-on-display

If you don't have the field weakening feature enabled, then the motor power goes down at a cadence of 90 RPM, meaning that if you are pedalling fast you won't get much assist. The field weakening raises the working cadence up to 130, but with a loss of some efficiency.

Yes, I agree with Ilu.

 

[knutselmaaster]

The Bosch CX motor is only labeled 250w because of legal purposes.
In reality it is about 750w peak power too.
And the torque sensor is a lot more sensitive that the one on (most) tsdz2 motors too.

 

[tomjasz]

Because like YOCH, it is a piece of shit.

 

[Chalo]

Because like YOCH, it is a piece of shit.

Yup.

Endless troubleshooting only demonstrates that it's endless trouble.