Bafang Max Drive bikes

Ultrafunkula

Pedelecer
Mar 18, 2011
168
114
Hi all,
just been browsing the net and perusing my 36v 250w Max Drive bike, it dawns on me that the max drive is same unit 250w or 350w all that has changed is the voltage to the unit, I've looked at the spec in the manual, motor will take 36,43 or 48v inc. controller, cadence slightly higher for higher voltage ,display is rated for higher voltages too, UK version 36v to be compliant with the fun police as in stamped 250w and voltage ramped down, Sweden Germany etc. They have it in 48v guise and is classed as speed Pedelecs class, stamped accordingly but top motor numbers are the same mmg33 350. Pedelec.de site mentions and talks about the max drive.
Question is does the programming of the actual unit get set at factory e.g. Max Amperage etc. Or is it 48v plug and play , is it possible to program the unit via USB as per bbso2 same software maybe? As beneath the lovely exterior it's looks similar to a bbs set up in a new mount to save old ugly way of mounting to bb.

I look forward to your replies gentlemen (and ladies)
 

Rohloffboy

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 1, 2015
315
125
64
North West.
Can't help with the techie stuff, but having been on the cusp of ordering a BBS02 kit, I soon decided to wait untill a decen Max Drive ebike comes to market.

The Greenaway Max Drive on eBay can be had for £1000 c/w 400ah 36v battery, absolute bargain compared to the Bosch and Yamaha Bikes being offered.

Not to mention the whoosh bikes with the lash up BBS CD kits that they come with.

No disrespect to whoosh, I am sure they are doing the best they can and all businesses have to make a profit.
 
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Deleted member 4366

Guest
Inside the controller is a micro processor. Many parameters, like current and LVC can be reprogrammed if you have the right programming interface. I'd be surprised if programming is different from the BBSxx motors.
 

Ultrafunkula

Pedelecer
Mar 18, 2011
168
114
Noticed motor is marked 14a after the 36v 250w I take it this is amps that controller will put out, that makes me just over 500w max output then 14x36

In my other post I have put a picture up of my motor even though it's shown as 250w the top Identification numbers are not as a comfis kit would leave Bafang factory it's not mm33 250 as it should be but a mm33. 350 date of manufacture october 2015 so fairly early production motor
 
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Deleted member 4366

Guest
Noticed motor is marked 14a after the 36v 250w I take it this is amps that controller will put out, that makes me just over 500w max output then 14x36
that makes me just over 500w max input then 14x36
Output is about 65% to 75% depending on crank speed, so 350w max.
 

cyclebuddy

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 2, 2016
1,545
732
Beds & Norfolk
The Greenaway Max Drive on eBay can be had for £1000 c/w 400ah 36v battery, absolute bargain compared to the Bosch and Yamaha Bikes being offered.
400ah battery? Blimey, I'd like one of those! You mean Greenway's own 10.4Ah/374w Samsung celled battery... spare batteries costing only £160, which also makes Bosch/Yamaha £600+ battery prices look stupid.

In all seriousness, that Greenway bike (E-change cross/city) was previously selling for £1200 (and even that's very good for what it is), with their other Max Drive bike (Defier tour/city) originally being £1150, so I'd agree both are a gift at £1000. Greenway also have a Bafang BBS MTB model, although they were out of stock when I was there.
 

anotherkiwi

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jan 26, 2015
7,845
5,785
The European Union
Bafang claim 80% efficiency so with a fully charged battery or a battery booster I get 470 W peak minus other losses in the drive chain. 350 W constant will get you 45 km/h on the flat and up most hills if the gearing is sorted.
 

anotherkiwi

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jan 26, 2015
7,845
5,785
The European Union
To answer the original question: is there a socket for a programming interface anywhere @Ultrafunkula?
 
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Deleted member 4366

Guest
Bafang claim 80% efficiency so with a fully charged battery or a battery booster I get 470 W peak minus other losses in the drive chain. 350 W constant will get you 45 km/h on the flat and up most hills if the gearing is sorted.
80% efficiency is the maximum possible motor effeciency. You only get that at a certain RPM, which doesn't coincide with maximum power or maximum torque. There's also losses in the primary and secondary drive, so 65% is probably a more realistic figure.
 

Ultrafunkula

Pedelecer
Mar 18, 2011
168
114
To answer the original question: is there a socket for a programming interface anywhere @Ultrafunkula?
I think it is by way of user interface cable, as per bbso2 and bbs03 (HD)
https://www.empoweredcycles.com/products/usb-programming-cable-8fun-bbs02-mid-drive-motor.
max drive very new and little information out there even across the pond possibly because specialist frame required , time will tell.
I'm no techy when it comes programming or delving into controllers etc. But a lot of you guys are very knowledgable in this department and I'm sure it will follow the route of Bbs units with regards to "warming"them up a bit
 
I looked into bikes with Bafang Max drive towards the end of last summer. The advice I received (from the Chinese manufacturer) regarding whether the programming was the same as with the BBSxx motors was that it was not. No option to add throttle either.
More than happy to buy some orthopaedic shoes, but as stated above, info. seems thin on the ground ;)
 

cyclebuddy

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 2, 2016
1,545
732
Beds & Norfolk
Interesting videos demonstrating the Max Drive here even though the guy's a bit annoying and it looks like he might be a bit biased.

The speed limit can be removed or adjusted through the LCD if you know how. He got 50 km/h in his video.
Annoying? You're joking, right? The password to bypass the 25kph speed restriction isn't a secret... it's 0512... no stupid £150 Bosch dongle required.
 

Kinninvie

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 5, 2013
907
415
Teesdale,England
Annoying? You're joking, right? The password to bypass the 25kph speed restriction isn't a secret... it's 0512... no stupid £150 Bosch dongle required.
The password depends which LCD you have.
On the 850c/DCP14 its1919
 

soundwave

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 23, 2015
15,973
6,292

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
19,992
8,173
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West Sx RH
0512 is the code given in the max drive dealer manual.
1919 is also the same code for the GSM LCD.
 
ElectricBike6 months ago
Hi Andres, you can increase the speed limit on display settings but to completely disable you need the programming cable and connect to the PC. Check out the electric bike blog website there is an article explaining how to program Bafang motors https://electricbike-blog.com/2015/06/26/a-hackers-guide-to-programming-the-bbs02/
haha, Bruno maxing a max drive to overtake lycra clad roadies. I doubt they were impressed.
Not sure that link relates to the max drive?

Sent from here to there with computer wizardry.
 

soundwave

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 23, 2015
15,973
6,292
according to bruno it has the programme cable same as the other motors ;)
 
according to bruno it has the programme cable same as the other motors ;)
I hope so. I was told otherwise but it'd be daft if you can't tweek for individual taste. I still prefer the bbsxx motors myself.

Sent from here to there with computer wizardry.
 
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Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
19,992
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Unless a good range of Max drive compatible frames are made available then any kit options won't sell vey well.
BBS will still be king for diy/kit drives in the mid drive market.
 
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