Cycle Analyst or Watts up meter?

[GM Canada]

I'm thinking of trying one of these two items on my Ebike. Are there others? Just wondering which one has more features or would be best for a GM Magic pie or any GM Motor. Anyone have any experience with these? How easily do they hook up? What would you recomend?

Gary

[Bikemad]

I'm thinking of trying one of these two items on my Ebike. Are there others? Just wondering which one has more features or would be best for a GM Magic pie or any GM Motor. Anyone have any experience with these? How easily do they hook up? What would you recomend?

Gary,

The Cycle Analyst is probably the best, but also the most expensive!
You would need to go for the standalone version for use with the Magic Pie. It's more involved to wire up, but has more functions than the Watts Up meter. It can also be used it to limit maximum current and maximum speed, as well as being able to set it for a specific Low Voltage Cutoff, which is very handy if you're using LiPo batteries without their own BMS.
This unit also retains the information when you disconnect the battery, unlike the Watts Up meter.

This Turnigy unit is a much cheaper alternative to the Watts Up meter ($24.95 instead of $49.99) and can handle up to 60 Volts and 130 Amps.

Further details can be found here

It really depends on how much you are prepared to spend and which particular functions you wish to use.

Alan
 
P.S. Are you really not able to ship Magic Pies to Brazil? See this post
 

[Bikemad]

Dave,

It should work fine with the Magic Pie, but don't expect it to measure any regen current, as this device can only measure current in one direction.
(You could connect it backwards, by swapping the load and the source over, to measure just regen current if you wanted to.)

In case you haven't already seen it, there's a Watts Up Simulator which allows you to see how the meter works, without having to keep an eye on the road ahead at the same time!

I've just discovered a fault with the online simulator, I've been pushing 1000Amps through it for some time now, and it still keeps working!

Alan
 

[GM Canada]

Hi Alan,

Well I bit the bullet and ordered the Cycle Analyst. I ordered the stand alone one as it seems the best way to be compatable with any setup. It came in only a few days and I've read all the details in the user guide. Function wise it seems very impressive, appearance wise it leaves alot to be desired. Now I am just waiting on my pies to arrive and hopefully I can get it all up and running over the holidays. I plan on converting my joy ebike to a Magic Pie with a 48 volt battery. Hopefully the Cycle analyst will keep me out of trouble with the ebike Police! Haha, I just got the call as I'm writing this, my pies are in! I should have them today! Woohoo!!

Gary

[GM Canada]

Last night I hooked up my Cycle Analyst (CA-SA) between the battery and the controller (Bac-28X). It was very simple and pain free. I just clipped the battery cable and added plugs to the cable and the CA then plugged it in. Then I ran the wire up to the handle bar and mounted the CA. Last step was mounting the spoke magnet and the pickup on the fork. Very simple indeed, only took about 15 minutes taking my time and doing it neatly. I must say I am very impressed with the backlit display and the amount of information is delivers. No regrets, great piece of technology.

Now as I read the book it describes additional wiring is required to use all the additional features it offers. But it does look a little more complicated. Does anyone have experience doing the additional hookups? There is a very vague drawing on what to do, but the information to hook it up is very limited.

Any tips?

Gary

[Bikemad]

Now as I read the book it describes additional wiring is required to use all the additional features it offers. But it does look a little more complicated. Does anyone have experience doing the additional hookups? There is a very vague drawing on what to do, but the information to hook it up is very limited.

Any tips?

Gary,

Check out Jerry's post for more information.

Alan
 

[GM Canada]

Thanks Alan,

I don't know how I missed that, whoops   8*)

Gary