Advice on setting up Tongxin / Ping

[flecc]

I've just noticed that Maplin have a suitable connector. Comparing the one that came with the charger and one in the shop this morning they look identical.
Maplin part number FM51F.

Robin

I think you'll find FM51F is what you need Robin. These have never had a consistent name, sometimes referred to as NTC connectors, sometimes as microphone connectors, and sometimes as audio connectors as Maplin are doing currently.

They are also used by some Powacycle models as charger connectors and charger's sourced from the USA are often prefitted with this connector type. I think they're popular in China.
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[andyh2]

Thanks for all the helpful replies.

I ordered the suggested maplin part and when it arrived I discovered that the Ping charger did in fact include both parts of the required connector. In my ignorance I was seeing the pins for attaching the wires to as a male connector. Doh!

I think I've got everything I need now to put it all together I'll feedback when complete.

 

[johnp]

There's a post by Ian in a thread started by Footy just over a year ago which contains a circuit diagram showing where the fuse should go.

I'm a little less keen on Tongxins than I was having had another controller (my fourth, including one from another vendor) blow half way round a week tour in the Netherlands. Fortunately I had considered it a possibility so brought my spare controller and was able to do a road-side swapout, and the bike is running again. Disappointing though, as I thought Tongxin controllers had been sorted out, but I guess not. The controller which blew had only done about 120 miles - (a similar distance to controllers 2 and 3 - I'm hoping 5 does a bit better as I don't have another spare with me!)

Hi Frank.
I have done 1,700mls on my 175 tongxin in 700 wheel and 800mls aprox on my 260 in my 16" wheel the controler went in the 16" wheel after only 1ml but have no problem since

I use a cannon 3 pin conector for the motor and solder and heat shrink the rest with a speakon 3 pole conector for the battery (maplins)

JOHN

 

[frank9755]

Good to hear you're getting decent mileages, John.
We avoided extended use of full throttle on controller 5, made it round the rest of our Netherlands tour, and it has now done 160 miles without failing (260 rpm in 700c wheel), so I shall persevere with it!
Frank

 

[andyh2]

Well I've managed to get it all wired up and my Tongxin / Ping set up works. Still a bit of tidying to do, but pleased that I've managed to get this far (with your advice ) as a beginner.

I was a bit surprised that the thumb throttle has power going through it continuously when the battery is connected with the on/off switch allowing the throttle to work rather than cutting power to the LEDs as well.

I was also pretty disconcerted to hear a loud CRACK when connecting the battery Am I right in thinking that if I add an on/off switch to the red battery power lead, before it reaches the fuse I've fitted, that this will prevent a recurrence and as a side benefit allow me to turn off power completely to throttle without having to disconnect the battery.

If this is the way to go suggestions for a suitable switch gratefully received.
Thanks
Andy

 

[frank9755]

Andy,
I had the same problem. On more recent controllers, Tongxin changed the colours of some wires. You will have the throttle connected to a set on the controller which are something like red, black and green. If you re-connect the throttle to the other set of wires, which are red, black and blue (with the blue one in place of the green and the new red and black connected to the same throttle wires as before) then it will work properly.
NB I'm doing this fomr memory so colours may not be exactly right. Regarding your sparking on connection, the best thing is to upgrade your connectors. I use powerpoles which work well and any spark is contained.

 

[andyh2]

Thanks Frank. I've managed to put a switch in so I'll live with the constant on of the LEDs. I think I'll upgrade to the Powerpole connectors for the battery though.

System works a treat, I've got the comfort I want with the Rans Crankforward base bike. I don't really like the thumb throttle but have worked out that I can use a reusable zip tie to keep the throttle fully open and just use the button as an all or nothing switch. Seems to work fine so long as I remember to turn off going round slower corners!

I do miss the through the gears power delivery of the Agattu for hill climbing. The Tongxin feels plenty powerful when within it's 'powerband' and it would be great to have that input at low speeds too. I liked the completely intuitive pedelec nature of the Agattu, but was a bit frustrated that the power dropped off as cadence increased. I can now choose whatever gear is comfortable for effort and cadence independently of the assistance. I'm also expecting a bit of range increase over the Agattu with the 36v 10AH battery. I'd forgotten that slightly odd trait of the Tongxin motors that they are noisier freewheeling than when driving.

All in all I'm really looking forward to getting back to the commute, once the battery is conditioned, and many enjoyable miles.

 

[frank9755]

Good luck - sounds like its going well.
A hub motor is never going to match the sophisticated controls of the Panasonic system, but a Tongxin is the next best thing, and doesn't try to change the way you ride the bike.
Holding the thumb throttle open is not much fun, especially if you have it on your right hand, with your main gears and brake. To improve the usability, I've taken the spring out of mine. Not hard to do - just need to ease the central bit out, and keep a tight hold so it doesn't all spring apart!

 

[andyh2]

That's a good idea Frank, does taking the spring out mean that the throttle just stays in whatever position you put it?

 

[frank9755]

Yes. Obviously it is not for the faint-hearted or forgetful, but has never caused me any problems. It works well in combination with the brake cut-outs. I also fit an extra switch on the handlebars to avoid any accidental knocks setting the bike off.

 

[andyh2]

I've put a couple of photos on Flickr (the last 3 of the Dynamik set). It's a shame I couldn't get the 10ah battery in the frame, but it feels fine in the rack pack handling wise. Security wise I might relocate the battery to the bikebin pannier, but I'll need to redo wiring so might be a while before I get round to it. I got 33 miles from my second conditioning charge so I think I'll have 50% extra range over my previous geared up Agattu.

I had a bit of concern about front wheel grip with extended wheelbase, but the only time it's shown signs of slipping have been on very steep gravel track and the tyres aren't really for gravel anyway.

I pedal 3 revs before switching on power and the one feature I do miss from the Agattu is the very nice push off the line it gives.

Used it for my 13 mile each way commuting last week and it's very good. My route is a rolling 7 miles followed by 3 miles uphill and 3 down on the way in. I'm not sure of the hill gradient but it's 35mph+ coasting downhill in places with a very upright non-aero position.

With a non-motorised bike I reckon on an hour and 15 minutes, the Agattu reduced that to just under an hour and the Dynamik shaves a further 5 minutes each way. 10.3 mph, 13.5mph, 14.7 mph are the respective averages. The figures are interesting for me as I'd geared the Agattu up to assist up to 18mph, whilst the Dynamik with 26" wheels and 175rpm tops out around 14.5mph on the flat.

Whilst still a very upright position I think the Dynamik gives slightly less air resistance than the Agattu (38mph coasting down said hill compared to 36mph).

More important than the small speed gains are the comfort and what feels like my body efficiency. I could always feel I'd ridden the Agattu after the commute and especially after the homeward ride. I hardly notice that I've been riding the Dynamik except for a general feeling of wellbeing I think the answer is in cadence. With the Dynamik I tend to ride at 65-75 rpm whereas to get the power from the Agattu I'd have to push a higher gear at lower cadence.

So the first 120 miles have gone very nicely

 

[andyh2]

Forgot the link to flickr pics;
Rans Dynamik - a set on Flickr

 

[frank9755]

Wow - interesting looking bike, Andy! Not seen anything like that - I guess it is a semi-recumbent. I bet that is fun to ride with the Tongxin.

Sounds like you are getting great performance. I see you are actually getting a higher average speed than the top speed of the motor's assistance. That backs up what AtoB said in their review of a Tongxin in Nano Brompton guise - that you go faster in country with rolling hills than on the flat.

It's interesting to hear your comparision with the Agattu, as very few people have much experience of both a Panasonic and a Tongxin. It does support the view, which I tend to subscribe to, that the Tongxin is the more suitable of the two for someone with a bit more cycling experience and desire to pedal. I encountered someone on a Panasonic bike on my way in to work, and the ultra low cadence hill-climbing did look very odd!

Hope it keeps giving you good results.