Australian ebikers?

[emzed]

Hi All, Great site!

I have just purchased a Golden motor kit from a company here in Australia (haven't got it yet, its on its way). Any other aussies here?

The kit i've bought is a 36V 500W brushless gearless motor with a regenerative motor controller. I've got a couple of questions:
1. I don't have any details on exactly what the regenerative controller is suitable for. I'm asssuming on SLA batteries? Do I need something different if I wanted to go with NiMh batteries?
2. The kit is coming with a trist grip throttle. I would rather not have a twist grip and would prefer a thumb style one (though that may change once i've actually ridden it) Is the throttle simply a potentiometer or is there more to it?

I would also be keen to see how people have gone about mounting a heap of SLA batteries on a dual suspension bike.

Thanks!

[erdurbin]

Well, I am not an Aussie, but I own a couple Australian Shepherd's. They are pretty awesome dogs...

I too wondered if I used the regen controller, what batteries would work. I would assume that any li-ion type would not work since they have a special charger, but I really have no idea.

[myelectricbike]

The regenerative controller is a new item and I'm not aware of anyone else who has one so the knowledge base at the moment is a bit sparse.

As for battery type, it will certainly work with SLA, no problem. As for other technologies, that has not yet been clarified, either by Golden engineers or by owner experience. The regen controller comes with a thumb throttle. Getting use to either the thumb or the grip throttle is not difficult - it just takes a little bit of time. I've had to mount my horn and light switch on the left handlebar to use either one.

The throttle uses a sinked linear Hall effect sensor with an approximate 120 degree range (I have not measured the angle directly, however.) with control precise enough to move very slowly from a dead stop up and over a 2 inch step (broken pavement) without the tire spinning.

As your first technical contribution you can let the rest of us know how the regen controller fairs with other battery technologies, most likely excluding the Lithium types. Right now all of that is still under investigation at the Golden factory.  

[Gregory]

Hi emzed,

Where did you purchase your kit from? I've sent three emails to goldenmotor and not yet received a reply  .
A local supplier here in Oz would be great.

Keep us updated with your bike and the kit.

Thanks,
Greg

[myelectricbike]

A dealer/distributor in Australia would help you guys save big time on the cost of shipping. I can order a kit for you to be shipped from China or send you one from my stock in the US when my shipment arrives but single kits sent surface from either China or the US to Australia cost a minimum of $150 for shipping.

[iron_monkey]

Im another fellow australian;

The kit including shipping costs just $265US for US customers. Cant be $150US for just shipping.

It wouldnt save us alot if we had an australian dealer. We have a couple of motor kits on the local ebay, its just ridiculous what they are charging.

Theres also another local supplier, http://www.users.bigpond.com/solarbbq/bikesale/bsale.htm

but almost 300-500AU for just the motor(plus 90+AU shipping) is also incredibly steep. The prices for the motors on golden website are only $100-150 AU at the current exchange rate. 

[Gregory]

emzed bought his from here, I'm sure he won't mind me naming the company.
They've added a pretty healthy markup on the kits.

http://www.ev-power.com.au/-PRODUCTS-.html

I really don't see why it's so much more here in Oz, just a smaller market I guess. It seems to me we're pretty close to China.
Looks like I'll just have to fork over a bit more than I budgeted for, but then I just filled the tank on my car for $75 

but almost 300-500AU for just the motor(plus 90+AU shipping) is also incredibly steep.

@iron_monkey - the solarbbq kits aren't just the motor, it's a full kit minus battery.

[iron_monkey]

@iron_monkey - the solarbbq kits aren't just the motor, it's a full kit minus battery.

Sorry my mistake. Although some of the kits don't include a rim and need wheel assembly(which isnt easy).

and I agree, a very healthy markup indeed.

[emzed]

Yeah, to be honest I didn't do that much shopping around here. I had been lurking here a while, and didn't have any response at all direct with Golden motor. After buying my Golden motor kit I found the site iron_monkey referred to. But ev-power seems to charge less when you compare it to a crystalyte 408 which is probably the closest to the golden motor. Though Bretts support is very good.

The law regarding power assisted bikes in oz is pretty crap (200W max) so there aren't many stockists of the kits as they have to market them as 'off road use only' and can't claim the savings you could make by riding a ebike to work.....

[iron_monkey]

I highly doubt the cops has the time or resources to check what power output your motor produces, nor do I think they actually care (unless you are doing stupid speeds). Electric motors are tame. 

It also doesnt stop the bicycle engine kit retailers here to claim the fuel saving argument, even when their engines obviously produce more than 200w. 

If you didnt get a response form golden motor then how did the others here order from china direct?

[nitecheck]

Gidday Emzed.  I have a EV motor too - the FWD model. Still working at getting it work as well as my other hub a 9C.
I know this a goldenmotor forum & do not like being critical or harping that the 9C is an easier hub to live with - but for a "hi-power" out of the box kit - overall performance of the GM kit is not as good as I would expect. Though with some tinkering I believe that it could be very capable system.
 
The "full throttle" is not to my liking either (I have cut my down throttle about 60% to make a half throttle & have butted my standard grip tight to it - (so I get friction speed control). I might think about a thumb throttle in the future - as a 2nd throttle on my eurobar - have not decided yet.
As for the regen controller - I am still experimenting with it - but not at all overly happy with it - as it does not allow free wheeling or easy pedalling unless you use some throttle - a complexity I could live without in traffic. If you are lucky - your controller may have the option to turn the regen off by shorting the connecter (with 2 blue wires) or adding a switch to open/close the circuit. My controller unfortunately does not have this option - so if I end up deciding it is all too much of a hassle - I'm up for a new non-regen controller (I might look at other controllers though - as EV's prices are more than a little steep). I'm running a SLA 36v 12AH battery pack & find that the motor cuts out if pushed up inclines, either steep short hills or long moderate hills. It's bit of a pain really. But a quick reset to off & some very hard pedalling in a low gear (refer to the regen issue with free wheeling) & then on the throttle again - normally gets the motor up & running again. I believe that the 12Ah battery pack is just not up to to the task & a 20Ah may solve this problem - but due to the weight & bulk of a 20Ah SLA battery pack - one would really need to go Lifepo4. This is just my opinion & others here may have more informed opinions on the subject. The good news is that the motor & everything else with the EV kit (excluding the regen only controller) in my experience is a good buy. You will get good overall power & generally the motor/wheel has been built well. I do intend to swap out the "factory" rim though - to higher spec to match my rear - more a cosmetic thing than anything else. Need to find a good pot hole to bounce so I can explain to wifie that this a real need not just a want 
I haven't clue yet as to range or expected speeds on the 36v/12Ah battery - as am still testing. As opposed to my (CRX 9C) which is over volted @48v with a lighter battery pack 7Ah, on a lighter flat bar road bike - all up 6kg or so lighter. The 9C bike seems faster - 29km average speed witha 30km range & does not have any stalling issues. One last note - I find the controller gets hot if not mounted outside the rear trunk bag - not a good thing. Due to the size of this behemoth and that I personally prefer a neat/unobtrusive look of a standard bike - I'm not sure where to mount the controller for the coming summer. Venting the trunk & or installing hard drive fan with an exhaust outlet are possible solutions - but again yet another complexity one could do without. Best of luck           

[Spacelander 1946]

Rod Dilkes@EV Power located in Perth is the official re-seller of GM 500W hub motor kits in Australia. My kit arrived in 5 days with all my requested electricals connected ( Hub motor,thumb throttle,regen contoller etc) tuned and tested at his Perth factory pre delivery. All I had to do is instal rear wheel hub (perfect fit for my 135mm dropout) thumb thottle on handle bar & plug into my power source (36V 10AH Lifepo4 Battery) I was up and away in one hour...Total cost for kit was $450 + $60 Shipping. Regarding the regen controller Rod conected the On/Off button on the thumb throttle. You need to come to a complete stop to engage the regen mode. I hardly ever engage regen mode now, I have found the very small percentage of battery charging & stopping power has no advantage over the much larger power saving you get from free wheel coasting & eazy pedeling.You do need good quality brakes! Living up here on the Gold Coast it is very flat. Total cost for project inc Bike, Battery, Bag/Rack + new Juicy Hydraulic front disc brake was $1,600AUD......see my pic's
P.S. Brett @SolarBBQ from Sydney is an official Aussie reseller also selling a similar product(#408 motor) to the GM, manufactured under the Crystalyte Brand (slightly more expensive than GM kit and arguably better quality?)...though he does not connect electricals or pre tune the motors in Australia. Both suppliers give excellent support and answer all phone/online inquires quickly. I would only recomend  buyers to purchase your E-bike motors & parts from either of these two local authorised re-sellers supporting Aussie buyers and all factory warranties. You can buy cheeper kits direct from China but you do take some risk with poor quality control & more work to figure out the wiring etc.... you may end up with missing components or a DOA...... the cost to return faulty items to China can be  expensive & a long wait...Cheers.

[redbike]

Hi - another Aussie here - from Melbourne. I looked around the same as the others and eventually bought a GM kit. I landed it from China for AUD390 which is much cheaper than locally. In retrospect I think the savings are not worth it unless you are prepared to tinker as from what I have seen Rod Dykes pre-delivers everything and makes sure all is fine. Also it looks like his throttle and brakes are much better quality than the std GM stuff. Lets face it you have to pay for a service like that. My main issues have been with the quality of the GM LiFePO4 battery. Real poor quality control and I would seriously reconsider buying a battery from them. All up I have spent AUD1350 to get a new ebike in a last years model Giant for a bargain $329.

I think the LiFePo4 battery is definitely the go as you don't have the cut out problems as described by nitecheck. It is important to make sure the battery is at least 3C to ensure it has sufficient current capacity. By the way if you are into tinkering Brett at SolarBBQ is worth getting in touch with. He has a huge range of stuff and is more that happy to help out.

Now if it would only stop raining and get above 10oC I could get out on my bike.

PS I intend to remove the 500W engraved on my rim - just in case

[biohazardman]

Well, I am not an Aussie, but I own a couple Australian Shepherd's. They are pretty awesome dogs...

I too wondered if I used the regen controller, what batteries would work. I would assume that any li-ion type would not work since they have a special charger, but I really have no idea.

I have the Regen controller on my GM motor and Lifepo4 batteries from Foxpower.  I once asked them about the regen on these batteries and was told it made not difference what type of batteries were used. While I am not sure that is completely correct I have 700+ miles on the bike without an on board BMS, the charger balances things, and thus far I have had no problems.  I did read one post about someone who went down a long steep hill with fully charged batts and toasted his controller and did some battery damage. Some of the Lifepo4s charge at very low amperage and most need only a trickle past an 80% charge.  Not sure if it was the same set up though. I go down short but steep hill 100+ meters right after a charge often and all is well to this point.  Sounds like the regen is a love or hate thing I love it myself but then I use it as a brake and am not really concerned about the juice that goes back into the battery which I suppose is not all that much. Hope this info helps.