I am using the 1200w controller, the 48v / 30A max controller version, not the 500w version. But they are both dual voltage controller. The S830 LCD display lets you change between 36v (10s battery in ebike speak) or 48v (13s battery) depending on which battery you have connected. I set the max AMP draw to 7A on the LCD display / controller.
From what I read about these Bafang motors, they don’t take much more than 700w or so without melting, so I plan on just putting 350w to 500w thru it. Yes, that won’t get me massive power / speed, but I am just doing this for recreation, and going 12-15mph is plenty fast enough for me. I did up the AMP, and got to about 25mph before I felt it’s too fast, plus my legs are just spinning and I can’t keep up well. I am running 48v (13s battery). Per the specs linked earlier from Bafang OEM website, this motor seems to support both 36v and 48v.
I know others here are going to try and push the hub motors to it’s limit, but since they are installing temp monitoring, they can probably stop the motor from overheating / melting by watching the temp and given the motor a rest. I will be interested to see how far the motor can be pushed, and look forward to those reports. But for me, I don’t plan on getting anywhere near the limit. So, really, if you program the controller thru the LCD Display, you can use the 500w or 1200w controller, just limit it to what you feel comfortable the motor can handle, but like Mr.Electronicist said, I am pretty sure you would be fine pushing 500w constantly.
Me, I was just looking for a plug and play solution without putting too much money on the cheap hubs, since this wasn’t part of the plans, to build an ebike. I am just starting to learn about all things electronics, so don’t trust anything I say :), just listen to the more experienced folks on here!
Brilliant, I didn’t realize you could set the amps and voltage on these controllers with the display, I was considering a slightly cheaper controllers on EBay but this has made my mind up, thanks!
looks like they sell these 2 types for the 1200w also, did yours come with the Julet plugs?
on their installation page it only shows the regular plugs, I’m wondering if the Julet ones will plug straight into these motors.
Yes, I got the Julet ones, and it’s just plug and play for me. It worked using about 80cm motor extension cable. The only issue with going with EBikeling, you are limited to the SW900 LCD Display for the regular plugs controller or the S830 LCD Display for the Julet plugs controller. I don’t know if other displays will work with it, but from my many reading, it seems to really matter than you source your controller / LCD display from the same place to ensure compatibility and that they communicate with the same protocol.
Also, with the Julet version, their 1To4 cable is all females, so you are limited to EBike accessories from them unless you cut the heads to splice in wires, defeating the point of plug and play. With the regular plugs controller, it’s easier to make accessories from anywhere work once you figure out the wiring diagram. I digress, but yes, the motor cable just plugs right in and works, either directly or with the motor extension cable.
The plus side with EBikeling is fairly quick delivery when in stock, and they do pick up their phones when you call. You might have to try 3-5 times in the same day, but they do pick up eventually and talk with you.
I will say, I really like clean look of the installation of the waterproof Julet connection. I threw both the controller and battery into a rear rack bag, and only have two lines running into the bag, the EBike accessories 1To4 cable, and the motor extension cable. If you don’t notice the hub motor, you really don’t know it’s even notice it’s an EBike, just somebody peddling a bicycle around with luggage on the back rack.
I had some neighbors ask me how I can peddle so fast, and hear a kid saying to his dad, that guy can go really fast on his bike. I guess not seeing the battery and lots of wires give it a stealthy look. I thought they would have figured out it’s an EBike, and are surprised to find out it is such.
Which controller did you order @Excess that is suppose to be plug and play, and did it work for you? I am just wondering about other options, what else is out there, since I only ordered one to try at first.
Brilliant! that’s really good to know, I’m all all about ease (who isn’t?),
I also really like the idea of looking a lot fitter than I actually am as I whizz past with very few pedal strokes
i appreciate you sharing the time you’ve spent researching and responding!
Hi
Do you think the controller can be used without the display?
I’m looking at the 36v 500w controller and rather not spend $60 on the display.
I realize I need it if I want control PAS but wondering if it’s needed for anything else.
(have called them a few times over the last week but still no answer yet)
From what I read on reddit, the old non-waterproof controller supposedly works without a display, you just have to jumper / connect some pins, but that the waterproof controller does require a display. This is from what I read before about EBikeling. I just got the whole kit, as I don’t know how else you can change/control voltage / set current maximum, etc, without the LCD display.
I did order from AliExpress/China another Kit that is much cheaper, whole kit including controller / display / ebrake sensor / pas / throttle / cables, etc… I just didn’t want to wait so long, wanted to test out the Bafang motors, so that’s why I order from EBikeling at first. Now that I know they work okay, I am willing to wait for parts from China for my other build.
I think I’ll order the waterproof 36v 500w one as the voltage or watts are fixed (AFAIK) so hopefully nothing else need to be configured.
The controller has exactly the same specs as the non waterproof one so let’s see if bridging specific pins will work…
