I mean the controller notices the current going too high, so it reduces the PWM duty cycle, which reduces the power as if the throttle signal had been reduced./quote]
Yes that is what i thought you meant. But that would mean the current limit is set at one level and not variable.
What i believe is happening is the current limit level is also set by the throttle signal voltage not the current limit overiding the throttle (or 'as if throttle had been reduced')
Example 1, Full throttle, current limit threshold is high (you want power so current limiting is low).
Example 2, Half throttle current limit threshold is much lower reducing PWM.
Power is reduced (clamped, determined by throttle signal) only to be released to be clamped once again, hence the pulsing of the current flow.
I have an external current limiter already which works on a shunt resister and a simple circuit that reduces the throttle signal. However because of the differences between controllers it is not interchangable hence my potential divider setup on this controller. The idea of plodding up a hill with current limit set low is a very effective way of conserving battery power. I have managed to climb some of the steepest hills around my area with 4-5 amp of assistance.
TBH i'm really pleased that this simple fix has the desired effect of reducing battery consumption with out having to build external circuitry as before, but i really need to test it some more.
Yes i am probably taking a different approach than NRG who is trying to get more power out of his setup. But hey ho it's all interesting stuff. Not seen any magic cure for increasing speed yet though......
Carry on chaps